University of Engineering & Technology Peshawar

Department of Civil Engineering

Presentation

CURING OF CONCRETE

Presented to:
Dr. Muhammad Rizwan
Presented By:
Engr Naeem shinwari
Final semester
MS Earthquake Engineering
1
Conclusion
 What is curing ?
• Maintenance of moisture and temperature of freshly placed concrete
to ensure proper hardening of concrete for attainment of desirable
strength and durability.

• “An efficient curing in the early period of hydration can be compared

to a good and wholesome feeding given to a new born baby.”
(advance concrete technology by Zongjin Li)

• If the curing is neglected in early period of hydration, the quality of

concrete will experience some irreparable loss
 Introduction
• The properties of hardened concrete, especially the durability, are
greatly influenced by curing since it has a remarkable effect on the
hydration of the cement.
• Curing allows continuous hydration of cement and consequently
continuous gain in the strength, once curing stops strength gain of the
concrete also stops.
• Proper moisture conditions are critical because the hydration of the
cement virtually ceases when the relative humidity within the
capillaries drops below 80% .
Curing definition from reference books
• curing can also be described as keeping the concrete moist and warm
enough so that the hydration of cement can continue.
More elaborately
• More elaborately, it can be described as the process of maintaining a
satisfactory moisture content and a favorable temperature in
concrete during the period immediately following placement, so that
hydration of cement may continue until the desired properties are
developed to a sufficient degree to meet the requirement of service.
(MS SHETTY)
Effect of W/C ratio
Effect of curing on strength
Effect of curing method on compressive
strength
• on average, over the two water content groups, wet curing produced
27% stronger concrete than dry curing

• Wet curing increased strength and decreased shrinkage.

Implementers should follow current recommendation of curing the
filter under a damp sheet.

• (water and science journal)

Water quality for curing
• the quantity and quality of water is required to be looked into very
carefully

• The most neglected exercise is “quality of water” has been observed

in many projects.

• if the pH value of water lies between 6 and 8 and the water is free
from organic matter

• The water fit for drinking is fit for curing of concrete

 Curing period
• UNDER NORMAL WEATHER CONDITION
min 7 days – concrete made with OPC
min 10 days – concrete made with blended cement ( PPC, PSC)

• UNDER HOT WEATHER CONDITION ( TEMP. MORE THAN 40 ˚C )

min 10 days – concrete made with OPC
min 14 days – concrete made with PPC, PSC
American cement manufacture (role of curing )
 Effect of delayed curing
• Curing started after 3 days reduces,
7 day strength by 12 %
28 days strength by 10 %

• Air exposed concrete will reduce 50 % strength as compared to moist

cured concrete.
What does curing do ?
• Retains moisture on the concrete surface
• Prevents loss of moisture by evaporation
• Reduces shrinkage cracks
• Increase compressive strength, improves durability, wear resistance
and water tightness
• Essential for promoting hydration
• Maintain conducive temperature.
• Needed for capillary segmentation
 DO’s & DONT’s

• Start curing immediate after it get sufficient hardness to take load of

person

• Do not walk on freshly laid concrete for sprinkling the water

• Water fit for drinking must be used for curing

• Do curing continuously, intermittent will result in cracking

• During summer, prevent drying the surface of freshly laid concrete.

Method of Curing
Membrane Curing
 Calcium chloride (CaCl2)
• Calcium chloride is used as surface coating or as an admixture.
• It has been used adequately as a curing medium.
• These methods are based on that calcium chloride being a salt show affinity for
moisture.
• The salt not only absorbs the moisture content from atmosphere but also retain it
at the surface.
• This moisture held at the surface prevents the mixing water from evaporation
and keeps the concrete wet for a long time to support hydration.
• After removal of mould, cubes were immersed in water for 24±1.5hours .And the
specimen coated with CaCl2 solution on its surface and kept uninterrupted till
testing on 7, 14 and 28 days
• Experimental study on curing of concrete
Clear compound/lime water
STEAM CURING
• It should be suggested that steam curing should be followed
by water curing for a period of at least 7 days.

LOW PRESSURE STEAM CURING : HIGH PRESSURE STEAM CURING :

• - carried out at atmospheric pressure - example : AUTOCLAVE
• - concrete products are stacked in - temperature : 185 ˚ C
chamber ( intermittent process ) - time : 7 to 10 hr
• PROCEDURE : ADVANTAGE :
• 1. Heating up stage : 10 ˚c/hr , 2 to 3 hour
• 2. Steam treatment stage - High early strength
• 3. Cooling off stage : 30 ˚c/hr , 1.5 hour - High durability
- Resistive to sulphate action and freezing and thawing
DISADVANTAGE :
Reduces the bond strength of concrete
Electrical curing
DRIP CURING
 Conclusion
1.it is false economy to neglect the correct curing program for all
concrete items produced either on site or in factory processes.
2- Most pre-cast concrete producers employ some sort of curing
system that is appropriate to their production regime.
3. - Most reinforced concrete constructors pay scant regard to this
critical step in realising the full potential of a ‘designed’ concrete and
therefore compromise the design of the structure under construction.
4.It is a fairly simple exercise to determine the correct selection of
curing system needed for a particular application. However, it is a far
easier selection to choose to cure a concrete structure or not.
• CURED CONCRETE = QUALITY CONCRETE
Thanks