Understanding the influence of curing temperature on the mechanical and durability performance of high-strength self-compacting concrete incorporatin multi-SCM systems

Degani, Ibrahim 2026. Understanding the influence of curing temperature on the mechanical and durability performance of high-strength self-compacting concrete incorporatin multi-SCM systems. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University. Item availability restricted.

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Abstract

Self-compacting concrete (SCC) offers significant advantages in modern construction due to its high flowability and ability to eliminate mechanical vibration. However, its high paste content makes its microstructural development and long-term durability particularly sensitive to curing conditions and environmental exposure. While the influence of curing temperature on conventional concrete is well established, limited research has systematically examined its interaction with supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs), particularly in high-strength SCC exposed to aggressive chloride environments. This thesis presents a comprehensive experimental investigation into the combined effects of curing temperature and multi-SCM systems on the mechanical performance and durability of high-strength SCC. Binary and quaternary binder systems incorporating silica fume (SF), metakaolin (MK), and fly ash (FA) were evaluated under controlled curing temperatures ranging from 10 °C to 50 °C. The study systematically assesses strength development, transport properties, pore structure evolution, shrinkage behaviour, electrical resistivity, and resistance to freeze–thaw and wetting–drying cycles in chloride-rich environments. The findings demonstrate that curing temperature plays a critical role in governing both early-age and long-term performance of SCC. Elevated curing temperatures accelerate hydration and early strength gain but result in coarser pore structures, increased shrinkage, and reduced long-term durability. In contrast, lower curing temperatures promote more uniform hydration and progressive pore refinement, leading to enhanced long-term performance when adequate curing duration is provided. A key contribution of this research is the identification of the synergistic role of SCMs in mitigating temperature-induced durability loss. SCC mixtures incorporating SF and MK exhibited superior resistance to chloride-induced deterioration due to enhanced pore refinement and reduced transport properties, while FA-based systems showed greater sensitivity to curing temperature but benefited from prolonged curing or thermal activation. Importantly, multi-SCM (quaternary) systems provided acceptable performance while reducing sensitivity to curing temperature, thereby contributing to improved resistance to cyclic environmental degradation. Furthermore, this study provides new insight into deterioration mechanisms under combined freeze–thaw and wetting–drying exposure, highlighting the interaction between curing temperature, binder composition, and microstructural stability. The results establish clear relationships between curing conditions, SCM reactivity, and durability indicators, including strength retention, mass loss, and electrical resistivity. Overall, this thesis advances the understanding of curing temperature–SCM interactions in high-strength SCC and provides practical guidance for the design of durable and sustainable concrete mixtures for chloride-exposed environments. The findings contribute to improving the reliability and service-life performance of SCC structures subjected to aggressive environmental and thermal conditions.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Date Type:	Completion
Status:	Unpublished
Schools:	Schools > Engineering
Uncontrolled Keywords:	1. Self-compacting concrete 2. Curing temperature 3. Durability 4. freeze-thaw 5. wetting-drying
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	13 May 2026
Last Modified:	13 May 2026 15:40
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/186969

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