Effect of Different Curing Methods in Flexural Strength of Concrete

Abstract

Concrete curing is very important for the flexural strength of concrete. Flexural strength is the ability of the concrete to resist bending or cracking under load. During the curing process, the concrete gains strength as the water in the mix reacts with the cement to form hardened cement paste. This process is known as hydration. Introducing the use of rice husk and rice straw as a curing method may offer cost-effective advantages. Rice straw and rice husk are typically inexpensive and widely available in rice-producing regions, which can make it a cost-effective alternative to conventional curing method. This can be particularly beneficial for construction projects with budget constraints, where cost-effective solutions are important. The researchers produced a total of twenty-four (24) concrete beam samples, and three flexural strength tests were done on each curing method and curing period. Four curing methods were used, which are water curing, curing compound, and the introduced curing methods, rice husk, and rice straw. The curing periods were 7 and 14 days. After conducting the test, it shows that water curing has the highest flexural strength in both 7 and 14 days and it is the most effective and efficient curing method among the 4 curing method that have been used. Rice husk and rice straw passed the flexural strength test. These are effective and can be used as a curing method for curing a concrete.