Mechanical performance improvement of super absorbent polymer-modified concrete

Hasan Dilbas; Furkan Birdal; Coşkun Parim; Mehmet Şamil Güneş

doi:10.1016/j.mex.2023.102151

Mechanical performance improvement of super absorbent polymer-modified concrete

MethodsX. 2023 Mar 29:10:102151. doi: 10.1016/j.mex.2023.102151. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Hasan Dilbas¹, Furkan Birdal², Coşkun Parim³, Mehmet Şamil Güneş³

Affiliations

¹ Van Yuzuncu Yil University, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering, Van, Türkiye.
² Kirsehir Ahi Evran University, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Department of Civil Engineering, Kirsehir, Türkiye.
³ Yildiz Technical University, Faculty of Art and Science, Department of Statistics, Istanbul, Türkiye.

Abstract

In this study, a method has been developed to reduce the negative effects of superabsorbent polymers on concrete mechanical properties. The method involves concrete mixing and curing, with the concrete mixture being designed using a decision tree algorithm. Instead of the standard water curing approach, air curing conditions were used during the curing process. In addition, heat treatment was applied to reduce any possible negative effects of the polymers on the concrete's mechanical properties and to enhance their performance. The details of all these stages are presented in this method. Various experimental studies were conducted to demonstrate the validity of this method, which proved to be effective in reducing the negative effects of superabsorbent polymers on concrete mechanical properties. •The method can be used to eliminate the negative effects of superabsorbent polymers.•The proposed method yielded promising results, demonstrating that the expected level of compressive strength, modulus of elasticity and toughness in concrete can be achieved in 5-10 days instead of 28 days•The widespread use of superabsorbent polymers in the concrete industry and reinforced concrete systems can be attributed to their many benefits.

Keywords: Concrete with super absorbent polymer; Curing conditions; Heat treatment; Mechanical improvement method of super absorbent polymer-modified concrete; Modulus of elasticity; Stress-strain relationship; Toughness.