PURPOSES: In this study, the effects of adding a superabsorbent polymer (SAP) to the concrete mixture on the strength of the concrete and abrasion resistance were analyzed, and whether the property of concrete can be improved by the internal curing effect of SAP was evaluated. METHODS: In this study, a total of eight different mixes were tested. The amounts of SAP added were 0%, 0.6%, 1.2% while that of silica fume were 0% and 6% based on the weight of the binder. The compressive test, rapid chloride penetration resistance test, and abrasion test were performed to verify the internal curing effects of SAP.
RESULTS : The compressive test showed that SAP concrete had greater compressive strength than ordinary concrete. Comparison of the compressive strengths of dry and wet cured specimens of each mixture showed that SAP concrete had a smaller difference compared with ordinary concrete. The rapid chloride resistance test showed that SAP did not increase chloride penetration resistance. However, since this experiment only considered wet curing, further investigation of dry curing is necessary. The abrasion resistance test showed that for the case of concrete cured under dry conditions without spraying the curing compound, the abrasion resistance of the SAP concrete improved by approximately 49% at 14 days and 27% at 28 days of curing compared with ordinary concrete.
CONCLUSIONS : The effect of SAP on the strength and abrasion resistance of concrete was analyzed. The results showed that the internal curing effect of SAP improved concrete strength and abrasion resistance. The internal curing effect maintains the overall internal humidity in concrete by supplying water held by the SAP to the dried cement paste.