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SRI VENKATESWARA ENGINEERING COLLEGE-

. SURYAPET-508213
(Sponsored by exhibition society, Hyderabad ISO:9001-2015
Certified, Approved by AICTE, Affiliated to JNTUH-Hyderabad)

A Technical Seminar report on the study of

SELF CURING CONCRETE

PRESENTED BY: GUIDE BY:

SREE SANJANA U.GOVINDU
HT.No.22635A0110 (Asst. professor)
B-Tech FINAL YEAR IN HOD:
CIVIL ENGINEERING Mr. B. Gandhi (MTech)
(Asst. professor)
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GENERAL INTRODUCTION

Construction industry use lot of water in the name of curing. The days are not so far that
all the construction industry has to switch over to an alternative curing system, not only
to save water for the sustainable development of the environment but also to promote
indoor and outdoor construction activities even in remote areas where there is scarcity of
water.

Curing is the process of controlling the rate and extent of moisture loss from concrete
during cement hydration. It may be either after it has been placed in position (or during
the manufacture of concrete products), thereby providing time for the hydration of the
cement to occur. Since the hydration of cement does take time days, and even weeks
rather than hours curing must be undertaken for a reasonable period of time. If the
concrete is to achieve its potential strength and durability. Curing may also encompass
encomp the control of temperature since this affects the rate at which cement hydrates.

The curing period may depend on the properties required of the concrete, the purpose for
which it is to be used, and the ambient conditions, i.e. the temperature and relative
humidity of the surrounding atmosphere. Curing is designed primarily to keep the
concrete moist, by preventing the loss of moisture from the concrete during the period in
which it is gaining strength. Curing may be applied in a number of ways and the most
appropriate means of curing may be dictated by the site or the construction method.
Curing is the maintenance of a satisfactory moisture content and temperature in concrete
for a period of time immediately following placing and finishing so that the desired
properties may develop. The need for adequate curing of concrete cannot be
overemphasized. Curing has a strong influence on the properties of hardened concrete;
proper curing will increase durability, strength, watertightness, abrasion resistance,
volume stability, and resistance to freezing and thawing and deicers.

Exposed slab surfaces are especially sensitive to curing as strength development. And
freeze-thaw resistance of the top surface of a slab can be reduced significantly when
curing is defective. When Portland cement is mixed with water, a chemical reaction
called hydration takes place. The extent to which this reaction is completed influences the
strength and durability of the concrete.

Freshly mixed concrete normally contains more water Covering the concrete with an
impermeable membrane after the formwork has been removed.

By the application of a suitable chemical Curing agent (wax etc).

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Curing by continuously wetting the exposed surface thereby preventing the loss of
moisture from it.

➤ Ponding or spraying the surface with water is methods typically employed.

Concrete can be kept moist (and in some cases at a favorable Temperature) by three
curing methods:

1. Methods that maintain the presence of mixing water in the concrete during the early
hardening period. These include ponding or immersion, spraying or fogging, and
saturated wet coverings. These methods afford some cooling through evaporation, which
is beneficial in hot weather.

2. Methods that reduce the loss of mixing water from the surface of the concrete. This can
be done by covering the concrete with impervious paper or plastic sheets, or by applying
membrane-forming curing compounds.

3. Methods that accelerate strength gain by supplying heat and additional moisture to the
concrete. This is usually accomplished with live steam, heating coils, or electrically
heated forms or pads.

Ponding and Immersion

On flat surfaces, such as pavements and floors, concrete can be cured by ponding. Earth
or sand dikes around the perimeter of the concrete surface can retain a pond of water.
Ponding is an ideal method for preventing loss of moisture from the concrete; it is also
effective for maintaining uniform temperature in the concrete. The curing water should
not be more than about 11°C (20°F) cooler than the concrete to prevent thermal stresses
that could result in cracking. Since ponding requires considerable labor and supervision,
the method is generally used only for small jobs. The most thorough method of curing
with water consists of total immersion of the finished concrete element. This method is
commonly used in the laboratory for curing concrete test specimens. Where appearance
of the concrete is important, the water used for curing by ponding or immersion must be
free of substances that will stain or discolor the concrete. The material used for dikes may
also discolor the concrete.
Fogging and Sprinkling

Fogging (Fig. 02) and sprinkling with water are excellent methods of curing
when the ambient temperature is well above freezing and the humidity is
low. A fine fog mist is frequently applied through a system of nozzles
sprayers to raise the relative humidity of the air over flatwork, thus slowing
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evaporation from the surface. Fogging is applied to minimize plastic

shrinkage cracking until finishing operations are complete. Once the
concrete has set sufficiently to prevent water erosion, ordinary lawn
sprinklers are effective if good coverage is provided and water runoff is of
no concern. The cost of sprinkling may be a disadvantage. The method
requires an ample water supply and careful supervision. If sprinkling is done
at intervals, the concrete must be prevented from drying between
applications of water by using burlap or similar materials; otherwise
alternate cycles of wetting and drying can cause surface crazing or cracking.
Wet Coverings

Fabric coverings saturated with water, such as burlap, cotton mats, rugs, or
other moisture-retaining fabrics, are commonly used for curing (Fig. 03).
Treated burlaps that reflect light and are resistant to rot and fire wet,
moisture-retaining fabric coverings should be placed as soon as the concrete
has hardened sufficiently to prevent surface damage. During the waiting
period other curing methods are used, such as fogging or the use of
membrane forming finishing aids. Care should be taken to cover the entire
surface with wet fabric, including the edges of slabs. The coverings should
be kept continuously moist so that a film of water remains on the concrete
surface throughout the curing period. Use of polyethylene film over wet
burlap is a good practice: it will eliminate the need for continuous watering
of the covering periodically rewetting the fabric under the plastic before it
dries out should be sufficient. Alternate cycles of wetting and drying during
the early curing period may cause crazing of the surface.

Wet coverings of earth, sand, or sawdust are effective for curing and are
often useful on small jobs. Sawdust from most woods is acceptable, but oak
and other woods that contain tannic acid should not be used since
deterioration of the concrete may occur. A layer about 50 mm (2 in.) thick
should be evenly distributed over the previously moistened surface of the
concrete and kept continuously wet. Wet hay or straw can be used to cure
flat surfaces. If used, it should be placed in a layer at least 150 mm (6 in.)
thick and held down with wire screen, burlap, or tarpaulins to prevent its
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being blown off by wind. A major disadvantage of moist carth, sand,

sawdust, hay, or straw coverings is the possibility of discoloring the concrete

Impervious Paper

Impervious paper for curing concrete consists of two sheets of Kraft paper
cemented together by a bituminous adhesive with fiber reinforcement. Such
paper, conforming To AASHTO M 171, is an efficient means of curing
horizontal surfaces and structural concrete of relatively simple shapes. An
important advantage of this method is that periodic additions of water are
not required. Curing with impervious paper enhances the hydration of
cement by preventing loss of moisture from the concrete (Fig.04).As soon as
the concrete has hardened sufficiently to prevent surface damage, it should
be thoroughly wetted and the widest paper available applied. Edges of
adjacent sheets. Should be overlapped about 150 mm (6 in.) and tightly
sealed with sand, wood planks, pressure-sensitive tape, mastic, or glue. The
sheets must be weighted to maintain close contact with the concrete surface
during the entire curing period. Impervious paper can be reused if it
effectively retains moisture. Tears and holes can easily be repaired with
curing-paper patches. When the condition of the paper is questionable,
additional use can be obtained by using it in double thickness. In addition to
curing, impervious paper provides some protection to the concrete against
damage from subsequent construction activity as well as protection from the
direct sun. It should be light in color and no staining to the concrete. Paper
with a white upper surface is preferable for curing exterior concrete during
hot weather..

Fig.04: Impervious curing paper is an efficient means of curing horizontal

surfaces

Plastic Sheets

Plastic sheet materials, such as polyethylene film, can be used to cure

concrete (Fig. 05). Polyethylene film is a lightweight, effective moisture
retarder and is easily applied to complex as well as simple shapes. Its
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applications the same as described for impervious paper. Curing with

polyethylene film (or impervious paper)

Can cause patchy discoloration, especially if the concrete contains calcium

chloride and has been finished by hard steel troweling. This discoloration is
more pronouncedwhen the film becomes wrinkled, but it is difficult and time
consuming on a large project to place sheet materials without wrinkles.
Flooding the surface under the covering may prevent discoloration, but other
means of curing should be used when uniform color is important.
Polyethylene film should conform to AASHTO M 171, which specifies a
0.10-mm (4-mil) thickness for curing concrete, but lists only clear and white
opaque film. However, black film is available and is satisfactory under some
conditions. White film should be used for curing exterior concrete during hot
weather to reflect the sun’s rays. Black film can be used during cool weather
or for interior locations. Clear film has little effect on heat absorption.

Fig. 05: Polyethylene film is an effective moisture barrier for curing concrete
and easily applied to complex as well as simple shapes. To minimize
discoloration, the film should be kept as flat as possible on the concrete
surface,

Membrane-Forming Curing Compounds

Liquid membrane-forming compounds consisting of waxes, resins,

chlorinated rubber, and other materials can be used to retard or reduce
evaporation of moisture from concrete. They are the most practical and most
widely used method for curing not only freshly placed concrete but also for
extending curing of concrete after removal of forms or after initial moist
curing. However, the most effective methods of curing concrete are wet
coverings or water spraying that keeps the concrete continually damp.
Curing compounds should be able to maintain the relative humidity. Of the
concrete surface above 80% for seven days to sustain cement hydration.
Membrane-forming curing compounds are of two general types: clear or
translucent; and white pigmented. Clear or translucent compounds may
contain a fugitive dye that makes it easier to check visually for complete
coverage of the concrete surface when the compound is applied. The dye
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fades away soon after application. On hot, sunny days, uses of white-
pigmented compounds are base slab of a two-course floor. Similarly, some
curing Compounds may affect the adhesion of paint to concrete floors.
Curing compound manufacturers should be consulted to determine if their
product is suitable for the intended application. Curing compounds should be
uniform and casy to maintain in a thoroughly mixed solution. They should
not sag, run off peaks, or collect in grooves. They should form a tough film
to withstand early