Methods of Curing (20 marks)

In the case of concrete members with a small surface/volume ratio, curing may be aided
by oiling and wetting the forms before casting. If they are removed at an early age, the concrete
should be sprayed and wrapped with polythene sheets or other suitable covering. In order to
prevent crazing of the surface on drying out, loss of water must be prevented even prior to
setting.

Once the concrete has set, wet curing can be provided by keeping the concrete in contact
with water by spraying or flooding (ponding) or covering the concrete with wet sand, earth, saw-
dust or straw and periodically- wetted hessian or cotton mats. A continuous supply of water is
naturally more efficient than an intermittent one, compares the strength development of concrete
cylinders whose top surface was flooded during the first 24 hours with that of cylinders covered
with wet hessian. The difference is greatest at low water/cement ratios where self-desiccation
operates rapidly.

Another means of curing is to seal the concrete surface by an impermeable membrane or

by waterproof reinforced paper or by plastic sheets. A membrane, provided it is not punctured or
damaged, will effectively prevent evaporation of water from the concrete. The membrane is
formed by sealing compounds applied in liquid form by hand or by spraying after the free water
has disappeared from the surface of the concrete. The membrane may be clear, white or black.
To comply with the specifications of highway and bridge works, requires a curing efficiency of
90 percent for any type of curing membrane.

Reinforced paper, once removed, does not interfere with the adhesion of the next lift of
concrete. Plastic sheeting can cause discoloration because of non-uniform condensation of water
on the underside of the sheet. To prevent this condition and loss of water, when plastic sheets
are used, they must rest tightly against the concrete surface.

The period of curing cannot be prescribed in a simple way, if the temperature is above
10˚C, ACI lays down a minimum of 7 days for ordinary Portland (Type I) cement and a
minimum of 14 days for low-heat Portland (Type IV) cement. The temperature also effects the
length of the required period of curing. When the temperature falls below 5˚C, special
precautions are necessary.