Curing Concrete – 5 Methods For Curing Concrete

Curing concrete is an important process in construction, as it strengthens the concrete and makes it more durable. Poorly cured concrete can shrink, crack or even develop a dusty, weak and crumbly surface. The main curing methods are listed below.

1. The first method is to apply water to the surface of the concrete with a hose or sprinkler system. This is a very effective method of curing. The application of water will keep the top layer moist so that it can hydrate and cure properly. This method is not suitable for large scale commercial projects however as it wastes water and takes a lot of time for the water to be applied evenly over the entire surface.

2. The second method of curing concrete is to cover it with plastic sheets or burlap which are kept damp by spraying them with water periodically during the curing period. This method is useful for large scale commercial projects where air and sunlight cannot reach the concrete during its curing period.

3. Another way to cure concrete is by laying a layer of wet sand on top of the concrete after it has been poured into place and then covering this with plastic sheeting or burlap until the concrete has set hard enough that the wet sand can

Curing is the process of treating or sealing surfaces of freshly placed concrete to maintain an adequate moisture content throughout the hydration process. Properly curing concrete leads to a stronger, more durable surface. Improperly cured concrete can be dry, scaled and cracked requiring expensive replacement.

The most common methods for curing fresh concrete are:

1.Form Curing: The most effective method for curing concrete is formwork curing. Forms are left in place and sealed to prevent loss of moisture from the edges. Keep forms in place until concrete has reached 75% of its design strength.

2.Overhead Sprinkling: Sprinkling is generally only effective during hot weather when evaporation from the surface of the concrete is high. Sprinkle frequently enough to keep the surface damp but not so much that the water runs off or bleeds through the surface causing scaling or dusting.

3.Saturation: A plastic sheet is placed over the fresh concrete and weighted down along the edges so it forms a seal to prevent moisture loss through evaporation at the surface of the slab. Water is then sprinkled on top of the plastic sheeting to keep it wet and saturate the top 2-3″ of concrete beneath it as well as providing pressure to force bleed water

A concrete surface should be cured within 24 to 48 hours of placing. This means that the concrete is protected from loss of moisture and kept within a reasonable temperature range. Finished surfaces should be protected from freezing for at least 5 days or until they reach a minimum strength of 500 psi. Concrete should not be allowed to dry out too rapidly as there will be reduced strength, poor surface finish and an increased tendency for shrinkage cracks.

Curing can be achieved by various methods which are explained below. Note that all methods should start as soon as possible after surface finishing. If the curing process is delayed, then evaporation from the surface must be prevented by moistening the surface with water misting or damp burlap coverings.

Concrete is a perishable material and it can be damaged if not properly cared for following placement. Curing is the term used to describe the process of maintaining adequate moisture content in concrete during its most critical stages of development. Concrete cannot develop its designed strength or durability unless it is cured. There are many different methods of curing concrete, and choosing the right method depends on the project requirements and constraints.

Curing Methods

1) Ponding

2) Spraying

3) Covering with Felt Paper or Plastic Sheet

4) Wet Covering with Burlap or Canvas

5) Dry Covering with Straw, Sawdust, Shavings or Other Absorbent Material

Curing concrete is one of the most important steps in concrete construction, because proper curing greatly increases concrete strength and durability. Concrete hardens as a result of hydration: the chemical reaction between cement and water. However, hydration occurs only if water is available and if the concrete temperature is within a suitable range. If too much water is lost from the concrete through evaporation, the hydration process will stop and the concrete will not reach its full potential strength.

When concrete is poured it is a soupy mixture of Portland cement, water, and aggregates. As the water evaporates out of the concrete the concrete becomes harder and harder. You can’t walk on it, drive on it, or put anything heavy on it until the curing process has begun.

There are five different types of curing methods:

1.Wet Curing

&emps;a)Immerse the concrete in a pond or large tub filled with water.

&emps;b)Spray the surface of the hardening concrete with water using a hose.

2.Membrane Curing

&emps;a)Protect the surface of the hardening concrete with plastic sheeting.

3.Insulation Curing

&emps;a)Cover freshly poured concrete with an insulation blanket.

4.Steam Curing

&emps;a)Heat steam to 180 degrees Fahrenheit, and then blow across the surface of fresh concrete.

5.Solar Radiation Curing

&emps;a)Place the fresh concrete in an area that receives direct sunlight.

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