Concrete Curing, When to start? The curing is applied for a few days on the concrete surface as soon as possible depending on the air temperature. Preferably start treatment 3-4 hours after pouring.
What are the methods of treating concrete?
Below are the most important technologies that are prominently used all over the world.
1- Immersion
Water immersion treatment of concrete
This method is adopted for slabs and floors. The concrete surface is divided into small basins, and these basins are continuously flooded for 7-14 days.
2- Wet linens and cloths
This type of treatment is carried out in the columns and the lower surface of the slabs, where the immersion method cannot be used. Impermeable covers such as burlap bags are required to cover the concrete. These membranes are sprayed with water to keep the concrete moist.
3- Painting layers or treatment films
Immersion is not suitable in places with high atmospheric temperatures. Water evaporates due to excess heat. Membrane curing is adopted to prevent the loss of water content due to the atmospheric temperature of the concrete.
These membranes help to seal by forming an impermeable layer on the surface of the concrete, which eventually resists evaporation. This method is generally performed by brushing or spraying the curing compound on the concrete surface.
4- Steam curing of concrete
This procedure is adopted in precast and precast concrete plants where concrete members are produced in large numbers. The steam contains thermal moisture, and it is sprayed onto the concrete surface to keep the concrete moist and also increases the temperature of the concrete, eventually accelerating the rate of hardening of the concrete. The disadvantage of this method is that it affects the final strength of the concrete.
5- Infrared curing of concrete
This method is adopted in cold climatic regions. In this method, infrared radiation is applied to the concrete, which increases the initial temperature, which increases the strength of the concrete. This is the most effective method of steam curing because raising the initial temperature in the concrete does not reduce the final strength of the concrete. This technology is adopted for hollow concrete members where heaters are placed in concrete blocks emitting a temperature of 90°C.
6- Curing concrete by electric current
In this method, concrete is cured by passing an alternating current to it. Two plates, one at the top and one at the bottom of the concrete surface, act as electrodes, and an alternating current is then passed to them. Maintain 30V or 60V of the potential difference between these electrodes. The duration and treatment time is shortened to only 3 days. It is not used frequently because it is expensive.
Source: wikipedia.org/wiki/Reinforced_concrete
Read More: buildineg.com/public/blog/what-is-a-concrete-jacketing-of-column/
