Performance evaluation of sustainable self-curing concrete with GGBS and rice husk ash

In recent decades, rapid urbanization has increased the demand for high-rise construction and the continuous growth in population, the demand for water has significantly increased, leading to scarcity of water resources in construction, that leads to challenges for conventional curing practices in construction. However, extensive cement consumption contributes significantly to environmental degradation. To reduce this impact industrial and agricultural wastes are used as partial replacement. Furthermore, strength development is not possible without proper curing; hence, self-curing chemicals are used to guarantee that internal moisture is retained. The performance of self-curing concrete of M30 grade containing 30% Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBS), 10% Rice Husk Ash (RHA), and PEG-400 as an self-curing agent is examined in this research. Concrete specimens are evaluated for mechanical properties at different curing ages. The results show that the optimum dosage of 1% PEG-400 achieved a compressive strength of 40 N/mm² at 90 days along with improved tensile and flexural performance. An examination of the matrix’s microstructure showed that it was denser, had better C-S-H formation, and had finer pore structure. Reduce cement use by 40% to help the environment.