Efeitos dos métodos de cura na retração e resistência à compressão de concretos de ultra-alto desempenho

Abstract

With the evolution in the acquisition and quality of construction materiais, the demand for more durable and resistant structures was established. In this context, researches with the objective of making a cement composite were performed. Thus the ultrahigh performance concrete (UHPC) was developed. The UHPC is a material composed of Portland cement, ground quartz, silica fume, quartz sand, water and additives. Due to its optimized microstructure, the granulometric homogeneity and the high packing density of its components, the UHPC acquires excellent mechanical properties. Such properties are optimized when thermal curing methods are applied to its confection, this is due to the fact that the pozzolanic reactions, which are extremely beneficiai, are maximized when the pozzolanic components of the UHPC are subjected to high temperatures. There is no current consensus about the best curing method to be used during the confection of UHPCs. Thus, this paper has the objective of describing the effects of thermal curing methods on the retraction and compressive strength of ultrahigh performance concrete, using materiais available in Brazil.