The use of paper sludge as a self-curing agent in concrete - Experimental laboratory-based comparative study.

Authors

  • Vignesh Eswaran Sivalingam M.E. Student (Structural Engineering), AVS Engineering College, Salem, India Author
  • Vijayanand Mathialaghan Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, AVS Engineering College, Salem, India Author
  • Valarmathi Matheswaran Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, AVS Engineering College, Salem, India Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51168/1rcdnj24

Keywords:

Self-curing concrete, Paper sludge, Internal curing, Compressive strength, Sustainable construction

Abstract

Background

Self-curing concrete has gained attention due to limitations in conventional curing practices and increasing water scarcity. Internal curing using waste materials offers a sustainable alternative. Paper sludge, a by-product of the pulp and paper industry, has high water absorption capacity and potential as an internal curing agent.

 Methods

An experimental study was conducted using paper sludge as a self-curing agent in M20 grade concrete. Four sludge-to-water ratios (1:7, 1:9, 1:11, and 1:15) were evaluated. Specimens were subjected to two curing conditions: conventional water curing and self-curing. Mechanical properties, including compressive strength, split tensile strength, and flexural strength, were tested at 3, 7, and 28 days as per relevant Indian Standard codes.

 Results

Concrete incorporating paper sludge demonstrated improved performance compared to conventional concrete under self-curing conditions. The 1:15 ratio showed the highest strength, with compressive strength reaching 29.19 N/mm² under normal curing and 23.66 N/mm² under self-curing at 28 days. Split tensile strength and flexural strength also showed similar trends, with maximum values of 5.12 N/mm² and 8.30 N/mm², respectively, under normal curing. Self-cured specimens showed slightly reduced but comparable strength values.

 Conclusion

Paper sludge can effectively function as an internal curing agent, improving strength characteristics and reducing dependency on external curing.

 Recommendation

Utilization of paper sludge in concrete can support sustainable construction practices and waste management. Further studies on durability and long-term performance are recommended.

Author Biographies

  • Vignesh Eswaran Sivalingam, M.E. Student (Structural Engineering), AVS Engineering College, Salem, India

    is a postgraduate student in Structural Engineering at AVS Engineering College, Salem. His research interests include sustainable construction materials and concrete technology.

  • Vijayanand Mathialaghan, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, AVS Engineering College, Salem, India

    is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at AVS Engineering College, Salem, with expertise in structural engineering and construction materials.

  • Valarmathi Matheswaran, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, AVS Engineering College, Salem, India

    is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at AVS Engineering College, Salem, with research interests in concrete technology and material characterization.

References

1. Bentz DP, Hansen KK, Madsen HD, Vail F, Griesel EJ. Drying/hydration in cement pastes during curing. Mater Struct. 2001;34:557-565.https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02482182

2. Dhir RK, Hewlett PC, Lota JS, Dyer TD. Feasibility of formulating self-curing concrete. Mater Struct. 1994;27:606-615.https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02473130

3. Fujiwara H, Maruoka M. Application of paper sludge ash in concrete products.

4. Geetha M, Malathy R. Strength and durability of polymeric materials as self-curing agents. Int J Eng Sci Technol. 2011;3(1):766-771.

5. Kim H, Bentz DP. Internal curing with crushed returned concrete aggregates for high-performance concrete. 2008.

6. IS 516:1959. Methods of tests for the strength of concrete. Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi.

7. IS 5816:1970. Splitting tensile strength of concrete. Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi.

8. IS 10262:1982. Recommended guidelines for concrete mix design. Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi.

9. IS 12269:1982. Specification for 53 grade OPC. Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi.

10. Jensen OM, Lura P. Techniques and materials for internal curing of concrete. Mater Struct. 2006;39:817-825.https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-006-9136-6

11. Ye J, Wang S, Zhou F, Liu Y. Effect of lightweight aggregate on internal curing of concrete. J Wuhan Univ Technol. 2006;21:135-137.

12. Johansen NA, Millard MJ, Mezencevova A, Garas VY, Kurtis KE. Absorption capacity of internal curing agents. Cem Concr Res. 2009;39:65-68.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2008.10.004

13. Kannan SU, Selvamony C, Ravikumar MS, Gnanappa SB. Self-curing concrete using polymer fibers. ARPN J Eng Appl Sci. 2010;5(2):41-45.

14. Friedemann K, Schönfelder W, Stallmach F, Kärger J. NMR study of internal curing. Mater Struct. 2008;41:1647-1655.https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-008-9355-0

15. Kovler K, Schamban I. Tensile strength of high-strength concrete. Mater Struct. 1999;32:500-505. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02481634

16. Kovler K, Bentur A, Zhutovsky S. Internal curing using lightweight aggregates. Mater Struct. 2002;34:97-101.https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02482108

17. Lin L, Yang W, He Y, Wu J. Internal curing using water-releasing materials. J Wuhan Univ Technol. 2009;24:510-514.https://doi.org/10.1007/s11595-009-3510-5

18. Lopez M, Kahn LF, Kurtis KE. Self-curing concrete for pavement applications. Int J Pavement Eng. 2006.

19. Mannan MA, Ganapathy C. Concrete from agricultural waste. Build Environ. 2004;39:441-448.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2003.10.007

20. Mather B. Self-curing concrete: Why not? Concr Int. 2001;23(1):46-47.

21. Mohr BJ, Premenko L, Nanko H, Kurtis KE. Wood-derived materials for internal curing. 2005.

22. Jensen OM, Lura P. Internal curing techniques. Mater Struct. 2006;39:817-825. https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-006-9136-6

23. Pasko TJ. Concrete pavements: Past, present, and future. Public Roads. 1998;62.

24. Persson B. Self-desiccation in concrete. Mater Struct. 2000;33:352-362. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02479644

25. Lura P, Jensen OM, Igarashi SI. Internal water curing of concrete. Mater Struct. 2007;40:211-220. https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-006-9132-x

26. Gallardo RS, Adajar MAQ. Concrete with paper sludge as fine aggregate replacement. 2006.

27. Teo DCL, Mannan MA, Kurian VJ. Durability of lightweight concrete. Mater Struct. 2010;43:1-13. https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-008-9466-7

28. Tikalsky PJ, Jensen OM, Lura P. Internal curing of concrete. Mater Struct. 2006;39:817-825. https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-006-9136-6

29. Zhutovsky S, Kovler K, Bentur A. Internal curing in high-performance concrete. Mater Struct. 2002;35:97-101. https://doi.org/10.1617/13801

Downloads

Published

2026-04-08

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 2 (2026): April 2026 issue

Section

Section of Civil Engineering

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Vignesh Eswaran Sivalingam, Mathialagan Vijayanand, Valarmathi Matheswaran (Author)

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

The use of paper sludge as a self-curing agent in concrete - Experimental laboratory-based comparative study. (2026). SJ Engineering Africa, 3(2), 10. https://doi.org/10.51168/1rcdnj24

Most read articles by the same author(s)

Similar Articles

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.