Enhancing Concrete Compression Strength with Potassium Polyacrylate as an Internal Curing Agent

Abstract

In this paper, the effectiveness of potassium poly-acrylate as an internal curing agent for improving the compressive strength of concrete is investigated. Concrete specimens designed to achieve a strength of 210 kg/cm were analyzed, subjected to various curing techniques including traditional external methods (immersion and membrane-forming) and an innovative internal method using potassium polyacrylate. Through comparative analysis, the impact of incorporating potassium polyacrylate on concrete density and, notably, its compressive strength after 56 days of curing was explored. The results show a notable enhancement in compressive strength, exceeding that of immersion-cured samples by 10.41% and membrane-cured samples by 8.53%. The study also emphasizes the positive influence of potassium polyacrylate on the mechanical properties and durability of concrete, improving curing efficiency and supporting more sustainable construction practices. The findings suggest that potassium polyacrylate offers a promising and innovative approach for creating more durable concretes with reduced environmental impact, representing a significant step forward in materials science.