Methods of Curing Concrete

Curing of concrete just like feeding a baby to be stronger. To attain design strength curing is the most important step for concrete. The curing of concrete is to control moisture content of concrete and keep the concrete temperature in a suitable range.

The following methods are commonly used for curing concrete:

 

• Water Curing
• Membrane curing
• Heat curing 

Water curing: This is the most commonly used method for concrete curing. Immersion, ponding, Spraying and wet covering are the types of water curing. 

Membrane curing: If water curing is very expensive or water is not available (in desert area) for curing then membrane curing is done for concrete construction. The theme of membrane curing is mainly to prevent water evaporation from concrete by applying membrane sheet directly over the concrete surface. Polyethylene sheets, water proofing papers, rubber compounds and bituminous compounds are used for membrane curing.

Heat application: We know the temperature is also a factor for concrete curing because the development of concrete strength is also depend upon the temperature. Such as higher temperature accelerates the hydration process of concrete. But only higher temperature can not accelerates the hydration process. It also required maintaining moisture of concrete. So, steam in controlled pressure is applied for heat curing purpose.

Others methods used for concrete curing:
Chemical Admixture
Keeping the formwork intact and sealing the joint with sealing material.