Moisture-retaining film-forming compounds for cement concrete pavements in arid climates

In hot and arid climates, rapid moisture loss from freshly placed cement concrete pavements disrupts hydration, leading to reduced strength and durability. This study evaluates novel film-forming compositions based on secondary industrial resources (GACH-3 and spent mineral oils). The research establishes the physicochemical mechanisms of pore colmatation achieved through the synergistic interaction of paraffin-based components and technical oleic acid. Experimental results demonstrate that the optimized composition increases compressive strength by up to 35.1 % and reduces moisture evaporation twofold. Long-term observations (12 months) confirmed significantly reduced porosity and microcrack sizes.