EFFECT OF CURING REGIMES ON COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH AND CORRESPONDING PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF PALM OIL FUEL ASH AND HIGH-PERFORMANCE CONCRETE: A REVIEW

The major component of construction material - concrete is distinguished for its durability and strength against compressive loading. The strength development of concrete largely depends upon hydration rate, w/c ratio, shrinkage, and cracking potential. Curing is the prime factor accelerating and facilitating the rate of strength development of concrete. The curing type, temperature, duration, and environment have a significant impact on strength and mechanical properties. Carbon dioxide curing, hybrid curing, autoclaved & non-autoclaved curing, and microwave curing are compared with air, water, and conventional heating regimes and it is observed that former techniques exhibit higher strength in a shorter period, i.e. Microwave curing produces around 90% of its 28 days strength in first 7 days. Additionally, this review involves the analysis of effects of pH and different curing regimes on strength and mechanical properties of various concretes such as ordinary portland concrete (OPC), palm oil fuel ash (POFA), high-performance concrete (HPC), ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) and recycled aggregates (RA) at all ages of 1,3,7,14 and 28 days. Subsequently, the sustainable replacements of composite matters and OPC are self-consolidating concrete (SCC), reactive powdered concrete (RPC), fiber reinforced concrete (FRC), and green cement & concrete, etc., which possess high strength and sustainability.