Study on Utilization of Prosopis juliflora Root Powder as a Self Curing Agent

Curing plays a chief function in improving the strength of concrete. The function of a self curing agent is to save the water and to reduce the water evaporation from the concrete, and hence they increase the water retention capacity of concrete compared to the conventionally cured concrete. Prosopis juliflora root powder is used as admixtures for self-curing concrete in this study. Prosopis juliflora (Seemai Karuvelam in Tamil) grows tremendously and spreads due to its mechanism to overcome adverse conditions like drought and salt. With deep penetrating roots, it can draw water from deeper layers. Their root has a high water holding capacity, so powder made from it can be used as an admixture for self-curing concrete. This study involves the experimental investigation of the self-curing property of concrete by using Prosopis juliflora root powder. Tests on fresh concrete and hardened concrete were conducted. From the results, we have concluded that by adding Prosopis juliflora root powder as a self-curing agent in the concrete mix at various percentages, the addition of 0.75% of Prosopis juliflora root powder by the weight of cement attains the 28 days compressive strength of conventional M25 grade concrete in 7 days. The further addition of Prosopis juliflora root powder decreases the compressive strength of concrete.