CURING

W I D O D O K U S H A RTO M O
WHAT IS CURING?

• A typical definition of curing (BS 8110, 1997) is ‘the process of

preventing the loss of moisture from the concrete whilst maintaining a
satisfactory temperature regime’.
• Many other definitions exist which include references to hydration,
durability and cost but there are three basic elements to consider:
• Moisture
• Heat
• Time
WHY CURE CONCRETE?

• According to the British Standard for the structural use of concrete, BS

8110 (1997), the intention of curing is to protect concrete against:
a. premature drying out, particularly by solar radiation and wind
(plastic shrinkage)
b. leaching out by rain and flowing water
c. rapid cooling during the first few days after placing
d. high internal thermal gradients
e. low temperature or frost
f. vibration and impact which may disrupt the concrete and interfere
with bond to reinforcement
KECEPATAN PENGUAPAN

• The rate of evaporation of water from the surface, taking into account
the combined influences of the ambient temperature and relative
humidity, the concrete temperature, and the wind velocity can be
estimated from Figure 3.2 taken from ACI 308 (1992).
• standard requires that curing measures are taken if the predicted rate
of evaporation exceeds 1.0 kg/m2/h, to prevent plastic shrinkage
cracking, but also recommends that such measures may be needed if
the rate exceeds 0.5 kg/m2/h.
HOW CAN CURING BE
ACHIEVED IN PRACTICE?
• The most common methods of site curing of in-situ concrete are:
• formwork retention
• suspension of covering above the surface before the concrete has set (horizontal surfaces)
• spraying with water
• ponding with water
• covering with wet sand, earth, sawdust, straw, or periodically wetted hessian or cotton mats, or
the use of an absorbent covering with access to water
• application of a curing membrane
• waterproof reinforced paper or plastic sheeting
• tenting or other shelter against drying winds
• sunshields
• covering with an insulating layer or heated enclosure
WHICH CURING METHOD IS
BEST?
• Retention of formwork
• Impermeable coverings
• Absorptive coverings
• Water addition
• Curing membranes
HOW LONG SHOULD CURING
BE APPLIED?
This depends upon:
• the reason for curing (plastic shrinkage, temperature control,
strength, durability, etc.)
• the size of the element
• the type of concrete (especially rate of hardening)
• the ambient conditions during curing
• the exposure conditions to be expected after curing
• the requirements of the specification
THE EFFECT OF CEMENT TYPE

Cements, or combinations, containing fly ash (pfa), blast furnace slag

(ggbs), limestone filler (>5 per cent), or condensed silica fume react
more slowly than plain Portland cement, particularly in cold weather.
Concretes containing blended cements should therefore be cured
thoroughly and for a longer period than for PC concrete, particularly if
the potential durability benefits are to be obtained in the near-surface
and cover zone. Concrete containing condensed silica fume or
metakaolin exhibits only minimal bleeding and thus requires early
protection to prevent plastic shrinkage cracking.
WHEN IS CURING OF
PARTICULAR IMPORTANCE?
• horizontal surfaces
• dry, hot, windy conditions (one or more of these)
• wear-resistant floors
• high-strength concrete (initial curing is especially important)