Effect of Solar-Generated Electric Curing System on the Flexural Strength of Conventional and Metakaolin-Based Concrete
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: The primary objective of concrete curing is to enhance the strength and durability of concrete components used in construction. This study investigated the efficiency of a solar-generated electric curing system compared with conventional water ponding forconventional and metakaolin-based concrete. Concrete beams (100 × 100 × 400 mm, 40 MPa) were cast, with half cured by ponding for 28 days and the rest subjected to solar-electric curing for three days. Flexural strength tests and statistical analyses (ANOVA) revealedsignificant differences among curing methods and mix types (F(3,8) = 32.56, p = 7.83 × 10−5). Water-cured specimens generally exhibited higher flexural strengths, but electrically cured metakaolin concrete achieved 88.8% of the 28-day water-cured strength within just three days, with mean values of 3.90 ± 0.18 MPa compared to 4.38 ± 0.07 MPa for water curing. The inclusion of 20% metakaolin enhanced hydration kinetics, microstructural densification, and water resistance, leading to improved mechanical anddurability performance. These findings demonstrate the efficiency of solar-electric curing in accelerating strength development while conserving time, water, and energy. Overall, the results confirm that solar-electric curing is a sustainable, energy-efficient, and technically viable alternative to conventional ponding, particularly in regions with limited water availability and abundant solar resources.
Subfield: Civil and Structural Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7127047866
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