Datasheet > Apr

2006

curing of Concrete

SCOPE The curing period may depend on the properties

>

This data sheet provides information on the required of the concrete, the purpose for which
importance of curing and the techniques for it is to be used, and the ambient conditions, ie
undertaking the process on site. the temperature and relative humidity of the
surrounding atmosphere.
INTRODUCTION Curing is designed primarily to keep the
Curing is the process of controlling the rate and concrete moist, by preventing the loss of moisture
extent of moisture loss from concrete during from the concrete during the period in which
cement hydration. It may be either after it has it is gaining strength. Curing may be applied
been placed in position (or during the manufacture in a number of ways and the most appropriate
of concrete products), thereby providing time for means of curing may be dictated by the site or the
the hydration of the cement to occur. Since the construction method.
hydration of cement does take time days, and
even weeks rather than hours curing must be
undertaken for a reasonable period of time if the
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concrete is to achieve its potential strength and

durability. Curing may also encompass the control
of temperature since this affects the rate at which
cement hydrates.
Curing is the process of
controlling the rate and extent
of moisture loss from concrete
during cement hydration.
 COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH AT 180 DAYS
AS % OF CONTINUOUSLY MOIST SAMPLE
100

80

60
n Curing by preventing excessive loss of moisture
from the concrete: either by 40
> leaving formwork in place

> covering the concrete with an impermeable 20

membrane after the formwork has been
0
removed Contin- 28 14 7 3 Contin-
> by the application of a suitable chemical
uously uously
moist Days cured (then in air) in air
curing agent (wax etc)
> or by a combination of such methods Figure 1: Effect of duration of water curing on
strength of concrete.
n Curing by continuously wetting the exposed
surface thereby preventing the loss of moisture
from it. Ponding or spraying the surface with COEFFICIENT OF PERMEABILITY (m/s)
water are methods typically employed to this end. 10-17
10-16
EFFECT OF DURATION OF CURING ON 10-15
PROPERTIES OF CONCRETE 10-14
The strength of concrete is affected by a number of 10-13
factors, one of which is the length of time for which 10-12
it is kept moist, ie cured. Figure 1 illustrates this, 10-11
comparing the strength (at 180 days) of concrete for
10-10
which the surfaces have been:
10-9
n kept moist for 180 days; Cement paste (W/C = 0.51)
10-8
n kept moist for various periods of time and
10-7
allowed to dry out; and
0 1 3 7 14 28 90
n allowed to dry out from the time it was first CURING PERIOD (days)
made.
Figure 2: Effect of duration of water curing on the
As may be seen in this example, concrete permeability of cement paste.
allowed to dry out immediately achieves only 40%
of the strength of the same concrete water cured
for the full period of 180 days. Even three days
water curing increases this figure to 60%, whilst Figure 2 illustrates the effect of different
28days water curing increases it to 95%. Keeping periods of water curing on the permeability of
concrete moist is therefore, a most effective way of cement paste. As may be seen, extending the period
increasing its ultimate strength. of curing reduces the permeability.
Concrete that is allowed to dry out quickly also
undergoes considerable early age drying shrinkage. CURING METHODS
Inadequate or insufficient curing is one of main General
factors contributing to weak, powdery surfaces with Methods of curing concrete fall broadly into the
low abrasion resistance. following categories:
The durability of concrete is affected by a n Those that minimise moisture loss from the
number of factors including its permeability and concrete, for example by covering it with a
absorptivity. Broadly speaking, these are related relatively impermeable membrane.
to the porosity of the concrete and whether the n Those that prevent moisture loss by continuously
pores and capillaries are discrete or interconnected. wetting the exposed surface of the concrete.
Whilst the number and size of the pores and n Those that keep the surface moist and, at
capillaries in cement paste are related directly to its the same time, raise the temperature of the
water-cement ratio, they are also related, indirectly, concrete, thereby increasing the rate of strength
to the extent of water curing. Over time, water gain. This method is typically used for precast
curing causes hydration products to fill, either concrete products and is outside the scope of
partially or completely, the pores and capillaries this data sheet.
present, and, hence, help to reduce the porosity of
the paste.

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 WATER SORPTIVITY (mm/h0.5)
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
STANDARD CURING
1-day mould
1-day mould
Impermeable-membrane Curing + 6-days fog
Formwork Leaving formwork in place is often
PLASTIC (sealed)
an efficient and cost-effective method of curing
concrete, particularly during its early stages. In 3-days
very hot dry weather, it may be desirable to moisten 7-days
timber formwork, to prevent it drying out during the
curing period, thereby increasing the length of time PLASTIC (1.7% holes)
for which it remains effective. 3-days
It is desirable that any exposed surfaces of the
concrete (eg the tops of beams) be covered with 7-days
plastic sheeting or kept moist by other means. It
should be noted that, when vertical formwork is
eased from a surface (eg from a wall surface) its Figure 3: Effectiveness of plastic sheeting
effectiveness as a curing system is significantly compared to standard curing.
reduced.

Plastic sheeting Plastic sheets, or other similar strength in the sheet; ASTM C 171 Sheet Materials
material, form an effective barrier against water for Curing Concrete specifies 0.01 mm. Figure3
loss, provided they are kept securely in place and illustrates the lack of effectiveness of plastic
are protected from damage. Their effectiveness is sheeting with holes equivalent to only 1.7% of the
very much reduced if they are not kept securely in sheets surface area.
place. The movement of forced draughts under the Plastic sheeting may be clear or coloured.
sheeting must be prevented. Care must be taken that the colour is appropriate
They should be placed over the exposed for the ambient conditions. For example, white or
surfaces of the concrete as soon as it is possible to lightly coloured sheets reflect the rays of the sun
do so without marring the finish. On flat surfaces, and, hence, help to keep concrete relatively cool
such as pavements, they should extend beyond the during hot weather. Black plastic, on the other hand,
edges of the slab for some distance, eg or at least absorbs heat to a marked extent and may cause
twice the thickness of the slab, or be turned down unacceptably high concrete temperatures. Its use
over the edge of the slab and sealed. should be avoided in hot weather, although in cold
For flat work, sheeting should be placed on the weather its use may be beneficial in accelerating
surface of the concrete and, as far as practical, all the rate at which the concrete gains strength.
wrinkles smoothed out to minimise the mottling Clear plastic sheeting tends to be more neutral
effects (hydration staining), due to uneven curing, in its effect on temperature (except in hot weather,
which might otherwise occur. Flooding the surface where it fails to shade the surface of the concrete)
of the slab under the sheet can be a useful way to but tends to be less durable than the coloured
prevent mottling. Strips of wood, or windrows of sheets, thereby reducing its potential for re-use.
sand or earth, should be placed across all edges and
joints in the sheeting to prevent wind from lifting it, Membrane-forming curing compounds Curing
and also to seal in moisture and minimise drying. compounds are liquids which are usually sprayed
For decorative finishes or where colour directly onto concrete surfaces and which then dry
uniformity of the surface is required sheeting to form a relatively impermeable membrane that
may need to be supported clear of the surface retards the loss of moisture from the concrete.
if hydration staining is of concern. This can be Their properties and use are described in AS 3799
achieved with wooden battens or even scaffolding Liquid Membrane-forming Curing Compounds for
components, provided that a complete seal can be Concrete.
achieved and maintained. They are an efficient and cost-effective means
For vertical work, the member should be of curing concrete and may be applied to freshly
wrapped with sheeting and taped to limit moisture placed concrete or that which has been partially
loss. As with flatwork, where colour of the finished cured by some other means. However, they may
surface is a consideration, the plastic sheeting affect the bond between concrete and subsequent
should be kept clear of the surface to avoid surface treatments. Special care in the choice of a
hydration staining. suitable compound needs to be exercised in such
Care must also be taken to prevent the sheeting circumstances. The residue from some products
being torn or otherwise damaged during use. A may prevent the adhesion of flooring products and
minimum thickness is required to ensure adequate tiles onto the concrete surface.

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 EFFICIENCY INDEX (%)
100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0

WAX
EMULSION

CHLORINATED Ranging from well It is extremely important to check the

RUBBER formulated to adulterated
subsequent floor finish. Most curing compounds
HYDROCARBON must be removed before the application of any
RESIN applied floor finishes such as direct stick carpet and
ACRYLIC vinyl, epoxy or polyurethane coatings and ceramic
EMULSION tile adhesives.
PVA Finally, it should be noted when using curing
EMULSION compounds that are solvent-based adequate
AS 3799 requirements
ventilation must always be provided in enclosed
( 90% after 72 hours) spaces and other necessary safety precautions
taken. Manufacturers recommendations should
always be followed.
Figure 4: Comparative efficiency of curing
compounds Internal curing compounds These are incorporated
into the concrete as an admixture hence known as
internal curing compounds. They inhibit moisture
Curing compounds are generally formulated loss and thereby improve long term strength
from wax emulsions, chlorinated rubbers, synthetic and reduce drying shrinkage. Internal curing
and natural resins, and from PVA emulsions. Their compounds are relatively new and care should be
effectiveness varies quite widely, depending on taken when utilised. They have been used in tunnel
the material and strength of the emulsion, as is linings and underground mines to provide at least
illustrated in Figure 4. Note: Attention should be partial curing when traditional methods are difficult
drawn to the very poor efficiency of PVA curing or even impossible to employ.
compounds.
When used to cure fresh concrete, the timing of
the application of the curing compounds is critical
for maximum effectiveness. They should be applied
to the surface of the concrete after it has been
finished, as soon as the free water on the surface
has evaporated and there is no water sheen visible.
Too early an application dilutes the membrane; too
late results in it being absorbed into the concrete,
with a consequent failure of the membrane to form.
They may also be used to reduce moisture
loss from concrete after initial moist curing or the
removal of formwork. In both cases, the surface
of the concrete should be thoroughly moistened Figure 5: Spray application of curing compound
before the application of the compound to prevent
its absorption into the concrete.
The use of curing compounds will not prevent Water Curing
formation of early age thermal cracking. General Water curing is carried out by supplying
Curing compounds can be applied by hand water to the surface of concrete in a way that
spray, power spray, brush or roller. The type or ensures that it is kept continuously moist.
grade of curing compound should be matched The water used for this purpose should not
to the type of equipment available and the be more than about 5C cooler than the concrete
manufacturers directions followed. The rate of surface. Spraying warm concrete with cold water
application should be uniform, with coverage may give rise to thermal shock that may cause or
normally in the range 0.20 to 0.25 litres/m2. Where contribute to cracking. Alternate wetting and drying
feasible, two applications at right angles to each of the concrete must also be avoided as this causes
other will help ensure complete coverage. volume changes that may also contribute to surface
Pigmented compounds also help ensure crazing and cracking.
complete coverage and are advantageous in helping
concrete surfaces reflect rather than absorb heat. Ponding Flat or near-flat surfaces such as floors,
Figure5 shows pressure spraying of a white- pavements, flat roofs and the like may be cured
pigmented curing compound. by ponding. A dam or dike is erected around the
edge of the slab and water is then added to create

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 a shallow pond as shown in Figure 6. Care must Wet coverings Fabrics such as hessian, or
be taken to ensure the pond does not empty due to materials such as sand, can be used like a mulch
evaporation or leaks. to maintain water on the surface of the concrete. On
Ponding is a quick, inexpensive and effective flat areas, fabrics may need to be weighed down.
form of curing when there is a ready supply of Also, it is important to see that the whole area is
good dam material (eg clay soil), a supply of water, covered. Wet coverings should be placed as soon
and the pond does not interfere with subsequent as the concrete has hardened sufficiently to prevent
building operations. It has the added advantage of surface damage. They should not be allowed to dry
helping to maintain a uniform temperature on the out as they can act as a wick and effectively draw
surface of the slab. There is thus less likelihood of water out of the concrete.
early age thermal cracking in slabs that are cured Fabrics may be particularly useful on vertical
by water ponding. surfaces since they help distribute water evenly
over the surface and even where not in contact with
it, will reduce the rate of surface evaporation. Care
should be taken however, that the surface of the
concrete is not stained, perhaps by impurities in the
water, or by the covering material.
New fabrics can leach fabric stains, prewashing
should be essential. Prior to placement of any
fabric pre moisten to avoid wicking of moisture
from the concrete that can result in the fabric
texture negatively absorbed into the concrete
surface.

Figure 6: Ponding method of water curing

Sprinkling or fog curing Using a fine spray or fog

of water can be an efficient method of supplying
additional moisture for curing and, during hot
weather, helps to reduce the temperature of the
concrete.
As with other methods of moist curing, it is
important that the sprinklers keep the concrete
permanently wet. However, the sprinklers do not
have to be on permanently; they may be on an
intermittent timer.
Sprinklers require a major water supply, can
be wasteful of water and may need a drainage
system to handle run-off. The alternative is to have
a closed system where the water is collected and
recycled.
Sprinkler systems may be affected by windy
conditions and supervision is required to see that
all of the concrete is being kept moist and that no
part of it is being subjected to alternated wetting
and drying. This is not easy to achieve.

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 Summary Considerations for selecting a curing method

General Type of member > Is the member vertical or horizontal? Some methods are affected or excluded
by orientation, eg ponding.
> Is the member thin or thick? Thick sections such as large columns or mass
concrete are mostly self-curing but require temperature gradient at outer
layers to be limited.
> Is the member insitu or precast? Precast members are suited to low-pressure
steam curing while precast products may benefit from autoclaving.

Environment > Does the location affect the availability or cost of some curing materials?
eg water in an arid region.
> Is the weather likely to be hot or cold? If the temperature is higher than 30C
or less than 10C special precautions need to be taken.
> Is the site exposed to winds? If so, special precautions may be required to
prevent plastic shrinkage cracking; sprinkling methods may be affected;
or extra care required when using plastic sheeting.

Impermeable Retention of formwork > What is the effect on site operations and construction cycle schedule?
membrane > Is there likely to be cold weather? This method allows easy addition of
curing insulation.
> Is uniform concrete colour specified? If so, a constant stripping time will need
to be maintained to avoid hydration colour change.

Plastic sheeting > What is the effect on access and site operations?
> Is there a safety consideration? Plastic sheeting may be slippery, and is
therefore a hazard in horizontal applications.
> Is there likely to be hot or cold weather? Colour of sheeting should be selected
to suit.
> Is the situation such that the seal can be maintained with minimum risk of
holing.
> Is uniform concrete colour specified? If so, the sheeting must be kept clear of
the surface to avoid hydration staining.

Curing compounds > What are the manufacturers recommendations? Both the rate of application
and the timing are critical for effectiveness. Does the product comply with
AS3799.
> What is the concrete surface texture? Coarse textures require higher
application rates.
> Can a uniform application be achieved in the particular situation? Two
applications at right-angles help. Sites exposed to wind create problems.
> Is there likely to be hot or cold weather? A suitably pigmented compound can
help.
> Are there to be applied finishes (render, tiles, etc)? Residue from compounds
can affect the bond of later applied finishes.
> Is there a health consideration? Compounds may be toxic, and their use in
enclosed situations may therefore be hazardous.

Water curing Ponding > What is the effect on access and site operations?
> Is suitable dam material available? A clay soil is the most suitable.
> Is there likely to be hot weather? Ponding is an efficient means of maintaining
a uniform temperature on slabs.
> Is concrete colour or appearance a consideration? Dam materials,
particularly clay, tend to stain.

Sprinkling > What is the effect on site operations?
> Is there an adequate water supply?
> What is effect of run-off? Usually some form of drainage is required.
> Will required volume/timing be such as not to damage the concrete surface?
> Can application be maintained continuously? Intermittent wetting and drying
can be deleterious.
> Is site exposed to winds? This makes continuous application very difficult.

Wet coverings > What is the effect on site operations?

> Can they effectively cover all surfaces?
> Is site exposed to wind? Wet coverings are easier to keep in place than plastic
sheeting.
> Is concrete colour or appearance a consideration? If so, sand should have low
clay content; fabrics and water should contain no impurities.
> In the case of sand, its supply or removal a problem?
> Can coverings be kept continuously moist? Intermittent wetting and drying can
be deleterious.

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Apr
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