A comparative study on effect of curing temperature on the properties of silica fume concrete
| dc.contributor.author | Muhammad Haris | |
| dc.contributor.author | Ans Aziz | |
| dc.contributor.author | Zohaib Ahmed | |
| dc.contributor.author | Shayan Tariq | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2025-12-17T15:42:44Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2025-12-17T15:42:44Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2025 | |
| dc.description.abstract | This thesis investigates the influence of curing temperature on the mechanical and physical properties of concrete incorporating silica fume as a partial cement replacement. Silica fume, known for its pozzolanic reactivity and ability to enhance concrete strength and durability, was evaluated under various curing conditions including ambient curing, steam curing, and water curing. The experimental findings of this study demonstrate that incorporating silica fume as a partial replacement of cement significantly influences the strength development and workability of concrete. It was observed that higher dosages of silica fume negatively affect workability due to increased water demand, attributed to its high fineness and surface area. However, replacement levels between 5% and 15% yielded the most favorable results, offering an optimal balance between workability and compressive strength. At early ages (3 days), concrete mixes within this replacement range showed improved strength development, indicating the initiation of the pozzolanic reaction. This trend is consistent with previously published literature and confirms that silica fume enhances early-age performance without compromising fresh properties when used in moderate quantities. Moreover, the strength of concrete continued to increase at 28 days, as the pozzolanic reaction became more pronounced over time, contributing to a denser microstructure and higher compressive strength. Additionally, curing at elevated temperatures (such as 37°C) was found to accelerate the rate of hydration and pozzolanic activity, resulting in higher early-age strength compared to curing at ambient or lower temperatures. Overall, the study concludes that 5–15% silica fume replacement, combined with proper temperature-controlled curing conditions, can significantly enhance the mechanical properties of concrete, especially in strength development, while maintaining acceptable workability. | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://escholar.umt.edu.pk/handle/123456789/16715 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | UMT. Lahore | |
| dc.title | A comparative study on effect of curing temperature on the properties of silica fume concrete | |
| dc.type | Thesis |