06-16-2022, 10:15 AM
Curing
Taken from : Ambuja Technical Literature Series -11
The chemical action between cement and water, which results in the setting and hardening of concrete or mortar, is dependent on the presence of water. Although there is normally adequate quantity of water for full hydration when the concrete or mortar mix is prepared , it is important to ensure that the water is either retained or replenished to enable the chemical action to be continued till such time the required
strength is gained.
A significant loss of water due to evaporation from the concrete or mortar surface ay result in slowing down or stopping the hydration process and resulting in consequent reduction of strength and durability. In order to help the hydration process to continue, water in the capillaries should be prevented from evaporating. It is therefore necessary to maintain an environment of high humidity around the freshly placed concrete or mortar till it attains reasonably good strength. This process is called curing of concrete.
Curing of concrete or mortar is the last step required to be taken in the process of concrete or masonry construction. This last step plays a very significant role in concrete and mortar performance and needs full attention of the persons involved in construction.
Concrete or mortar in its early life needs to be carefully looked after like parents looking after their new born baby. If concrete or mortar is not nurtured properly by carrying out the required curing or protected against wind and extreme ambient conditions then the structure will lose its strength and durability, and its performance will be far below the required level. In other words it will behave like a child born beak. Therefore if you do not CURE your concrete masonry adequately you will have to ENDURE it's poor performance throughout it's life time.
Since cement hydration is more rapid in the first few days after fresh concrete or mortar is placed, it is important for enough water to be retained within the concrete or mortar mass during this period. This can be achieved by either reducing the evaporation losses or by replenishing the water continuously on the concrete or mortar surfaces for an adequate period of time. Curing has a strong influence on various properties of concrete and therefore it should not be taken lightly. Strength, durability, watertightness, wear resistance, volume stability, chemical attacks and resistance to freeze-thaw cycle is much superior of a well cured concrete or mortar than that of a concrete
wherein curing was neglected, all other parameters being indentical.
Besides this advantage, curing reduces shrinkage, gives better resistance to wear and impact and improves long term
appearance. This is due to the fact that adequate curing gives to the thin exposed surface a case hardened property which otherwise would not be obtained if curing is neglected. In every manner a well cured concrete/mortar is a better concrete/mortar.
for more details download....
Taken from : Ambuja Technical Literature Series -11
The chemical action between cement and water, which results in the setting and hardening of concrete or mortar, is dependent on the presence of water. Although there is normally adequate quantity of water for full hydration when the concrete or mortar mix is prepared , it is important to ensure that the water is either retained or replenished to enable the chemical action to be continued till such time the required
strength is gained.
A significant loss of water due to evaporation from the concrete or mortar surface ay result in slowing down or stopping the hydration process and resulting in consequent reduction of strength and durability. In order to help the hydration process to continue, water in the capillaries should be prevented from evaporating. It is therefore necessary to maintain an environment of high humidity around the freshly placed concrete or mortar till it attains reasonably good strength. This process is called curing of concrete.
Curing of concrete or mortar is the last step required to be taken in the process of concrete or masonry construction. This last step plays a very significant role in concrete and mortar performance and needs full attention of the persons involved in construction.
Concrete or mortar in its early life needs to be carefully looked after like parents looking after their new born baby. If concrete or mortar is not nurtured properly by carrying out the required curing or protected against wind and extreme ambient conditions then the structure will lose its strength and durability, and its performance will be far below the required level. In other words it will behave like a child born beak. Therefore if you do not CURE your concrete masonry adequately you will have to ENDURE it's poor performance throughout it's life time.
Since cement hydration is more rapid in the first few days after fresh concrete or mortar is placed, it is important for enough water to be retained within the concrete or mortar mass during this period. This can be achieved by either reducing the evaporation losses or by replenishing the water continuously on the concrete or mortar surfaces for an adequate period of time. Curing has a strong influence on various properties of concrete and therefore it should not be taken lightly. Strength, durability, watertightness, wear resistance, volume stability, chemical attacks and resistance to freeze-thaw cycle is much superior of a well cured concrete or mortar than that of a concrete
wherein curing was neglected, all other parameters being indentical.
Besides this advantage, curing reduces shrinkage, gives better resistance to wear and impact and improves long term
appearance. This is due to the fact that adequate curing gives to the thin exposed surface a case hardened property which otherwise would not be obtained if curing is neglected. In every manner a well cured concrete/mortar is a better concrete/mortar.
for more details download....
