Curing is the process where the concrete surfaces are kept wet for a

certain period after placing of concrete so as to promote the hardening

of cement. It consists of a control of temperature and of the moisture
movement from and into the concrete.

Contents:

Purposes
Period
Effects
Methods

Purposes of curing of concrete

Following are the objects or purposes of the curing of concrete:

1. Curing protects the concrete surfaces from sun and wind.

2. The presence of water is essential to cause the chemical action
which accompanies the setting of concrete. Normally, there is an
adequate quantity of water at the time of mixing to cause the
hardening of concrete. But it is necessary to retain water until the
concrete has fully hardened.
3. The strength of concrete gradually increases with age, if curing is
efficient. This increase in strength is sudden and rapid in early
stages and it continues slowly for an indefinite period.
4. By proper curing, the durability and impermeability of concrete
are increased and shrinkage is reduced.
5. The resistance of concrete to abrasion is considerably increased by
proper curing.

Period of curing

This depends upon the type of cement and nature of work. For ordinary
Portland cement, the curing period is about 7 to 14 days. If rapid
hardening cement is used, the curing period can be considerably
reduced.
Effects of improper curing

Following are the major disadvantages of improper curing of concrete:

1. The chances of ingress of chlorides and atmospheric chemicals are

very high.
2. The compressive and flexural strengths are lowered.
3. The cracks are formed due to plastic shrinkage, drying shrinkage
and thermal effects.
4. The durability decreases due to higher permeability.
5. The frost and weathering resistances are decreased.
6. The rate of carbonation increases.
7. The surfaces are coated with sand and dust and it leads to lower
the abrasion resistance.

The above disadvantages are more prominent in those parts of

structures which are either directly exposed or those which have large
surfaces compared to depth such as roads, canals, bridges, cooling towers,
chimneys, etc. It is therefore necessary to protect the large exposed
surfaces even before setting. Otherwise it may lead to a pattern of fine
cracks.

Methods of curing

Following two factors are considered while selecting any mode of method
of curing:

1. The temperature should be kept minimum for dissipation of heat of

hydration.
2. The water loss should be prevented.

Thus all the methods of curing of concrete are derived from the basic
principle of lowering of the surface temperatures and prevention of
water evaporation. Several specialized curing techniques are employed
in the modern construction work, but the most commonly employed
methods of curing are as follows:

1. Ponding with water.

2. Covering concrete with wet jute bags.
3. Covering concrete with water-proof paper of polyethylene sheets
and holding it in position.
4. Intermittent spraying with water and continuous sprinkling of
water.
5. Applying curing compounds.