Preliminary Study on Response of Different Water-Cement Ratio and Curing Conditions on Concrete Properties

Nurriswin Jumadi; Nadia Razali; Nadlene Razali

Authors

Nurriswin Jumadi Kolej Komuniti Jelebu, Jalan Seperi, Kampung Chempedak, 71600 Kuala Klawang, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia; Section of Environmental Engineering Technology, Universiti Kuala Lumpur – Malaysian Institute of Chemical and Bioengineering Technology, 78000 Alor Gajah, Melaka, Malaysia. https://orcid.org/0009-0001-5170-7562
Nadia Razali Section of Environmental Engineering Technology, Universiti Kuala Lumpur – Malaysian Institute of Chemical and Bioengineering Technology, 78000 Alor Gajah, Melaka, Malaysia
Nadlene Razali Faculty Mechanical, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Hang Tuah Jaya, 76100 Durian Tunggal, Melaka, Malaysia

Keywords:

Curing condition, water-to-cement ratio, concrete properties

Abstract

The water-to-cement ratio (w/c ratio) is a critical parameter in the formulation of mortar and concrete. The w/c ratio is a fundamental factor that significantly affects the performance and properties of the final product. This study investigated the influence of different w/c ratios and curing conditions on concrete properties. The preliminary test was conducted on coarse and fine aggregate by complying with ASTM C33. The concrete proportion ratio of 1:2:4 was adopted by mixing with various amounts of distilled water to create ratios of 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, and 0.8. The hardened concretes were divided into two types of curing conditions (pond curing and burlap curing). Compressive strength, sorptivity, and carbonation tests were conducted by complying with the concrete’s standard procedure to determine the concrete's properties. This research has revealed that a higher w/c ratio contributes to higher porosity and negatively impacts its strength. The higher w/c ratio has decreased compressive strength and increased water filtration (sorptivity) and carbon dioxide ingression (carbonation). Based on the results, lower w/c ratio with pond curing showed better concrete physical and chemical properties at 28th days.