Concrete Curing

Concrete Curing

For high durability, concrete must not only be “strong” but also impermeable, especially in the areas near the surface. The lower the porosity and the denser the hardened cement paste, the higher the resistance to external influences, stresses and attack. To achieve this in the hardened concrete, measures have to be taken to protect the fresh concrete, particularly from

·     Premature drying due to wind, sun, low humidity etc.

·     Extreme temperatures (cold, heat) and damaging rapid temperature changes

·     Rain

·     Thermal and physical shock

·     Chemical attack

·     Mechanical stress

Protection from premature drying is necessary so that the strength development of the concrete is not affected by water removal. The consequences of too early water loss are:

·     Low strength in the parts near the surface

·     Tendency to dusting

·     Higher water permeability

·     Reduced weather resistance

·     Low resistance to chemical attack

·     Occurrence of early age shrinkage cracks

·     Increased risk of all forms of shrinkage cracking