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Description: Early age properties of concrete are vital to its long-term performance. The purpose of this thesis is to investigate the ability of internal curing methods including superabsorbent polymers (SAP) and saturated lightweight aggregate to mitigate autogenous shrinkage and restrained shrinkage. This thesis also examines the changes in properties of concrete and mortar, such as permeability, when SAP, lightweight aggregate or shrinkage reducing admixtures (SRA) are introduced to the mix. This research found that mortar containing SAP was able to minimize the amount of autogenous shrinkage, but reduced the compressive strength considerably, similar to air-entraining concrete. SAP was also able to leave voids in the concrete, which simulate normal entrained air. SRA was most effective at reducing drying shrinkage. Lightweight aggregate had an interlocking bond with the paste at the interfacial transition zone; thus increased its tensile strength properties. Appendices are available upon request. This report is also found on DVD021. This thesis was developed as part of the educational requirements at University of Toronto under a fellowship grant from the PCA Education Foundation.
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