Role of Fabric Structure on Moisture Retention and its Effect on Concrete Strength

This work aims at studying the effect of textile structures on the water retentivity and implications of retentive structures on civil applications. Different structures are analyzed for their water retentivity and drying rate at different conditions of relative humidity (RH) and temperature. Non-woven structures are, in general, more retentive than the woven, under different conditions of test. The possible mechanism behind such a behavior is proposed. Investigations have been carried out on the effect of fabric structure on compressive strength of concrete wrapped and unwrapped with different textile structures by immersing in water for 10 min in an interval of 24 and 48 h. The results show that the concrete wrapped with non-woven fabric gives strength improvement of 2.5 N/mm ² higher than that of woven fabric of the same gram per square meter (GSM) when water is sprayed every day and 1.75 N/mm ² higher when water is sprayed on an alternate day curing cycle.