Water Absorption in Internally Cured Mortar Made with Water-Filled Lightweight Aggregate

Published

October 1, 2009

Author(s)

Ryan Henkensiefken, Javier Castro, Dale P. Bentz, Tommy Nantung, Jason Weiss

Abstract

The increased propensity for shrinkage cracking in low w/c concrete has spawned the development of new technologies that can reduce the risk of early-age cracking. One of these is internal curing. Internal curing uses saturated lightweight aggregate to supply curing water to low w/c paste as it hydrates. Significant research has been performed to determine the effects of internal curing on shrinkage and stress development; however, relatively little detailed information exists about the effects of internal curing on the fluid transport properties such as water absorption or diffusivity. This study examines the absorption of water into mortar specimens made with saturated lightweight aggregates (SLWA). These results indicate that the inclusion of SLWA can reduce the water absorption of mortar specimens. This observation was reinforced with electrical conductivity measurements that exhibited similar reductions.

Citation

Cement and Concrete Research

Volume

39

Issue

10

Pub Type

Journals

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Keywords

Building technology, interfacial transition zone, internal curing, lightweight aggregate, sorptivity

Citation

Henkensiefken, R. , Castro, J. , Bentz, D. , Nantung, T. and Weiss, J. (2009), Water Absorption in Internally Cured Mortar Made with Water-Filled Lightweight Aggregate, Cement and Concrete Research, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=901394 (Accessed October 10, 2025)