G R O U P 3

CURING OF
CONCRETE AT
SITE
CONCRETE

Concrete is a composite material

made up of cement, sand, and
water in appropriate quantities.
The aggregate is held together
by the chemical reaction of
cement and water
 ASTM C31, SECTION
10.2 CURING
is the essential process
of creating and
• defines field curing as a condition maintaining suitable
that “involves subjecting the temperature and
specimens to the temperature and moisture conditions in
humidity that the actual structure concrete to facilitate the
experiences.” These test specimens development of desired
are stored alongside the structural properties through
element in question to ensure hydration.
similar relative humidity and
ambient temperatures.
METHODS OF CURING
CONCRETE AT SITE
 TWO
METHODS
WATER CURING Ponding the Concrete

The application of the -continuously wetting the concrete surface

water is done to avoid is done in the method without allowing the
the drying of the concrete surface to dry. Most of the time, a
concrete surface. kerb cast around the slab helps to pond the
Usually, this method relevant area.
applies when the
concrete is thinner. Use of Sprinklers
- it is a must not allowing the concrete
surface getting dry due to the evaporation.
Continuous spraying the water at a
constant rate and uniformly is a must to
fulfill the adequate curing.
PONDING THE USE OF
CONCRETE SPRINKLERS
WET COVERING
Wet curing is a
method of
maintaining the
surface moisture level
by placing materials
like hessian. Use of
gunnery bae is also
common.
 FORMWORK CURING
Keep formwork in
place to maintain
moisture and
temperature during
concrete setting.
MEMBRANE CURING
A membrane is
formed on the
concrete surface to
avoid the evaporation
of the moisture in the
concrete
 SHEET CURING
Sheet is sued to cure
the flat surfaces
usually. Polythene
sheets are sued to
cover the concrete
slabs and columns.
The sheet can be
placed on the slab
just after it gets
hardened..
CURING BY
ABSORBING HEAT
Pipes are set within
the concrete in
order to absorb the
heat. Moreover,
water is spread in
the concrete as well
as it absorbs the
heat of within the
concrete.
HOT MIXING COVER WITH SAND OR
METHOD SAWDUST, SOIL, ETC.
Mix hot water with Cover the surface
concrete ingredients with insulating
to maintain materials to retain
temperature moisture.
ELECTRICAL CURING NATURAL CURING
Apply electric current
to the concrete. Allow concrete to
cure naturally without
INFRA-RED CURING any additional
methods.
Use infra-red lamps to
maintain temperature.
FLEXURAL STRENGTH OF
CONCRETE BEAMS
 WHAT IS FLEXURAL
STRENGTH?
• Flexural strength, also known as
modulus of rupture, is an indirect
measure of the tensile strength of
unreinforced concrete.
• It represents the extreme fiber stresses
experienced by a member when
subjected to bending.
• Apart from external loading, tensile
stresses can also arise due to factors
like warping, steel corrosion, drying
shrinkage, and temperature gradients
DETERMINATION OF
FLEXURAL STRENGTH
1. Test Specimens Preparation:
• Cast unreinforced concrete
specimens (usually prismatic beams)
of size 400 mm x 100 mm x 100 mm
using the desired concrete grade.
• Cure the specimens properly for 28
days.
• Allow the specimens to rest in water
for 2 days at a temperature of 24°C
to 30°C before testing.
DETERMINATION OF
FLEXURAL STRENGTH
2. Test Setup:
• Draw reference lines on the
specimen at 5 cm from the edges to
indicate the position of the roller
supports.
• Support the prismatic specimens on
rollers of the testing machine,
providing a simply supported
condition for the test.
DETERMINATION OF
FLEXURAL STRENGTH
3. Loading Methods:
o Center-Point Loading (ASTM C293):
• Apply the load at the center of the beam.
• This method provides a more uniform
distribution of stress along the length of the
specimen.
o Third-Point Loading (ASTM C78):
• Apply the load at two symmetrical points,
one-third of the span length from each
support.
• Commonly used for flexural strength testing.
DETERMINATION OF
FLEXURAL STRENGTH
4.Load Application:
• Gradually apply the load through the
rollers.
• Increase the load continuously at a rate
such that the stress in the extreme fiber
increases at approximately 7
kg/cm²/minute.
• Note the maximum load when the
specimen fails.
DETERMINATION OF
FLEXURAL STRENGTH
5. Calculation of Flexural Strength:
The modulus
3�.�
of rupture (MoR) is given by:
MoR= - center-point loading
2�.�²
�.�
MoR= - third-point loading
�.�²
where:
(P) = Maximum load applied
(L) = Span length (distance between supports)
(b) = Width of the specimen
(d) = Depth of the specimen
EQUIPMENT AND SET UPS
FOR FLEXURAL STRENGTH
TESTING
 q Purpose: The flexural testing
FLEXURAL TESTING machine (also known as a
bending test machine) applies
MACHINE a load to the test specimen to
induce bending.
q Properties and Capacity:
• The machine should be
calibrated and in good
working condition.
• It must be capable of
uniformly applying loads
without shock or interruption.
• The rate of loading should be
controlled and continuous.
• Capacity typically ranges from
250 to 500Mlbf (1,112 to
2,224kN) for concrete beam
specimens.
BEAM MOLDS q Purpose: Beam molds are
used to cast concrete
specimens in the form of
beams.
q Properties and Requirements:
• Beam molds should have the
specified dimensions (e.g., 400
mm x 100 mm x 100 mm).
• They must be smooth, rigid,
and non-absorbent to prevent
moisture loss during curing
CONCRETE MIX q Purpose: Prepare a concrete
mix according to project
specifications or relevant
standards.
q Properties and Considerations:
• Use the appropriate concrete
grade based on the
application.
• Ensure proper mix proportions,
cement content, and water-
cement ratio.
TAMPING BARS q Purpose: Tamping bars are
used to compact the fresh
concrete within the molds.
q Properties and Usage:
• Tamping bars should be
smooth, rounded, and non-
absorbent.
• Proper compaction ensures
uniform density and
minimizes voids.
LOAD APPLICATION
SYSTEM
q Purpose: Apply the load to the
specimen.
q Properties and Requirements:
• The load application system
should be precise, gradual,
and uniform.
• Use a hydraulic or mechanical
system with controlled loading
rates.
DATA ACQUISITION
SYSTEM q Purpose: Collect data during the test.
q Properties and Features:
• The system should record load-
displacement curves.
• Real-time monitoring helps analyze
specimen behavior

SAFETY MEASURES
q Purpose: Ensure safety during testing.
q Requirements:
• Use protective gear (e.g., gloves,
goggles) when handling specimens.
• Follow safety protocols to prevent
accidents.
MODULUS OF RUPTURE
(MoR)
 SIGNIFICANCE
• Structural Design:
Engineers use MoR to
• (also known as flexural strength or design structural
bend strength) measures a elements such as
beams, cantilevers, and
material’s strength before it shafts.
ruptures or breaks.
• Specifically, it quantifies the • Dynamic Building
maximum bending stress a material Materials: It provides a
can withstand without failure. parameter for
• MoR is crucial for assessing the developing stronger
behavior of materials under bending building materials.
loads.
• Predictive Tool: MoR
predicts both the
resistance and
durability of
construction projects.
Calculation of Modulus of
Rupture
1. For a rectangular sample under a Where:
load in a three-point bending ( P ) = Maximum load
setup: applied (in pounds or
3�•� newtons)
MoR= ( L ) = Span length
2��² (distance between
supports)
2. For a rectangular sample under a ( b ) = Width of the
load in a four-point bending setup specimen (beam)
where the loading span is one-third ( d ) = Depth of the
of the support span: specimen (beam)
�•�
MoR=
��²
EXAMPLE: (
o Suppose we have a concrete beam with the following
properties:
• Maximum load applied (P): 10,000 pounds
• Span length (L): 6 feet 8
• Width (b): 8 inches (converted to feet: (b = ft = 0.67 ft)
12
12
• Depth (d): 12 inches (converted to feet: (d = ft = 1 ft)
12
o Plugging these values into the formula:
3 • 10 000 �� • 6��
MoR= 8 12 = 135000 lb/ft² = 937.5 psi
2 • �� • ( ��)²
12 12

The Modulus of Rupture of the concrete beam is 937.5 psi.

RELEVANT STANDARDS FOR
FLEXURAL STRENGTH
TESTING OF CONCRETE
BEAMS
ASTM (AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR
TESTING AND MATERIALS)
ASTM C78:
• Standard Test Method for Flexural Strength of Concrete (Using
Simple Beam with Third-Point Loading).
• Determines the flexural strength of concrete beams.
• Results are reported as the modulus of rupture (MoR).
• Used for quality control, material selection, and structural
design.
ASTM C293:
• Standard Test Method for Flexural Strength of Concrete (Using
Simple Beam with Center-Point Loading).
• Another method for flexural strength testing.
• Provides realistic loading conditions.
• Useful for assessing concrete behavior in real-world scenarios.
AASHTO (AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF STATE
HIGHWAY AND TRANSPORTATION OFFICIALS
AASHTO T 23:
• Standard Method of Test for Making and Curing Concrete
Test Specimens in the Field.
• Describes procedures for making and curing concrete
specimens directly at the construction site.
• Ensures accurate control of materials and test conditions.
AASHTO T 97:
• Standard Method of Test for Flexural Strength of Concrete
(Using Simple Beam with Center-Point Loading).
• Determines the flexural strength (modulus of rupture) of
concrete beams.
• Provides realistic loading conditions by applying the load at
the