Effect of Improper Curing on the Properties of Normal Strength Concrete

Abstract

In real applications, 28 days are regarded as proper curing time for concrete. There is a self-evident need to minimize the duration of curing days. For this purpose, this research investigates 1 to 7 days of curing and compares it with concrete cured for 28 days. Three grades of normal concrete strength grade 30, grade 35 and grade 40 were made. After curing, two exposure conditions were applied to the concrete, inside laboratory-controlled environment and outside environment. Results indicate that slump increases with cement content in DOE method at constant water content. The concrete density in all grades reduces when the concrete is subject to inside exposure in comparison with outside exposure. Water loss from concrete reduces with increase in curing days in all concrete grades. Compression strength of all concrete grades increases with increase in curing days. For the uniformity of concrete, ultrasonic pulse velocity indicated that with an increase in curing days, concrete becomes denser and a bit void. Results showed that an increase in curing days also improves the surface quality of concrete. The significance point noticed is that there was not much difference in the concrete properties between 7 days of curing and 28 days of curing in all grades.

Feasibility study of palm oil boiler ash (POBA) as a partial replacement of sand in foamed concrete

“…As a result, the dry density of foamed concrete increase with the increase of curing days. This finding is true according to previous research that has been conducted that found water loss from concrete decreases with increasing curing days (Memon, Sam, Awang & Memon, 2018).…”

A Review on the Use of Self-Curing Agents and Its Mechanism in High-Performance Cementitious Materials

“…As a result, the technique has been readily introduced where water-filled internal curing agents acting as reservoirs are added to the concrete mixture which will gradually release water during hydration and evaporation process [31][32][33][34], as illustrated in Figure 2. High-performance concrete (HPC) mixtures were initially developed given the growing issues regarding concrete durability [35,36] and due to the use of lower water-cementitious (w/c) material ratios, in addition to chemical admixtures and supplementary cementitious material (SCMs). Measuring the extent of hydration in the cementitious system is a key indicator that leads towards achieving the good performance of the concrete [37].…”

“…Prewetted lightweight aggregates have often been used as internal reservoirs in which a system of capillary pores in cement paste is formed during hydration, and as soon as the relative humidity (RH) decreases (due to hydration and drying), a humidity gradient develops [35,[60][61][62]. The migration of water in concrete based on the law of fluid flow and the system's law of capillary attraction is illustrated in Figure 5.…”

Effect of Various Curing Methods and Curing Days on Compressive Strength of Plain Cement Concrete

“…50 • F is not acceptable [5]. The improper curing of concrete can result in loss of half of its strength and proper curing of concrete ensures 90% attainment of concrete strength [6]. For proper curing, adequate moisture and temperature should be provided to concrete [5].…”

“…Curing not only reduces the shrinkage and permeability loss, but it also protects it from strength and durability losses, essentially on early days of strength gain [5]. The prime purpose of concrete curing in early age is to provide concrete enough amount of water for strength gains [6]. Based on conditions and availability, various methods for concrete curing are employed such as curing with gunny bags, curing with potable water, air curing, polythene curing, steam curing, ponding, sprinkling, wet covering etc.…”