Curing of Cement Concrete

Why curing is required?

Curing of cement concrete is the process of maintaining the moisture and temperature condition so that concrete gains its strength properly.

It helps to dry out concrete and prevents plastic shrinkage of concrete. Curing is important to maintain temperature by hydration process. Curing should be done to harden bond with internal materials and reinforcement.This helps in development of impermeable, crack free and durable concrete.

The right time of curing depends on the evaporation rate of moisture from the concrete. Initial curing is required when drying of concrete starts. Initial curing helps to minimize the moisture loss and prevent plastic shrinkage cracks to concrete before and during finishing operations.Intermediate curing is done when the concrete surface finishing operations has been carried out before the final setting of concrete. This happens when the required surface texture of concrete member is achieved rapidly or when the setting of concrete is delayed.When the concrete is finished after the final setting of concrete, the final curing of concrete should be done. This helps to prevent surface drying of concrete because the loss of moisture from the concrete surface occurs immediately.

The curing duration of concrete depend on the size of structural member, the type of concrete grade and rate of hardening of concrete, the temperature and moisture conditions of surroundings, the exposure conditions of the concrete surface during and after curing.

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