The Influence of Total Water-To-Cement Ratio on the Mechanical Properties of Cementitious Composites Internally Cured with Polyacrylic Superabsorbent Polymers (SAP)

Superabsorbent polymers (SAP) allow for the introduction of changes to the pore network characteristics in cementitious composites and the course of binder hydration. Therefore, SAP addition contributes to significant changes in multiple properties of concrete. The effect of internal curing differs depending on its design process – the initial content of curing water in the concrete mix, polymer characteristics and water absorption properties, the state in which it’s added (non-saturated/hydrogel), and the design method regarding curing water content in the entire water content. The authors investigated those variables’ influence on selected concrete properties – compressive strength, water absorption, and shrinkage. All independent variables significantly influenced the studied properties of concrete. The increase in the total water-to-cement ratio led to a significant decrease in the mechanical properties of cementitious composites. Modification with the use of SAP added in the form of hydrogel had the most positive influence on the properties of concrete..