The concrete curing process is an important method for maintaining the quality of the concrete because it not only maintains the moisture content on the inside or the concrete surface but also ensures that the resulting concrete is of the desired quality.
Definition of Curing of Concrete (What Is Concrete Curing)
Concrete curing is a method that is better understood as curing concrete. Concrete structures generally harden quickly and dry easily, therefore concrete curing is carried out so that the water content in the concrete does not decrease quickly so that it produces good quality concrete.
This concrete treatment is carried out when the exposed concrete surface has undergone a hardening phase and is intended so that the chemical compound reaction in the concrete-making mixture is in a stable condition.
Concrete Curing Method
There are three methods used when curing or treating concrete. The three methods are:
1. Concrete Curing With Wetting
The main component in this method is water which is wrapped into the concrete to prevent water evaporation in the concrete stirring process. Apart from the water blanket method, there are several other methods:
- Put fresh concrete in a room with good humidity.
- Put fresh concrete into the water or just put it in water.
- Cover the concrete with a few wet sacks.
- Give the fresh concrete a few moments with a special chemical liquid called a curing compound.
The wet curing method is also widely used in precast concrete products, this is due to its relatively affordable cost. Some of the products that use this curing method are paving blocks, uditches, box culverts, and concrete buis.
2. Concrete Curing By Evaporation
Beforehand, make sure the concrete has been allowed to stand at a temperature of 10 ° -30 ° C for a few hours. This method of evaporation of concrete curing is usually carried out in areas where there is winter. Therefore, there is a special procedure in which the concrete is allowed to stand first then it must be followed by a wetting treatment for several days.
This method aims to make the strength of the concrete more durable with the extreme weather in winter. There are two ways of curing concrete by evaporation, namely:
- Low-pressure treatment for 10-12 hours.
- Then high-pressure treatment for 10-16 hours.
3. Concrete Curing With Membranes
The membrane in question is a physical barrier that aims to prevent water evaporation on the concrete. The material used as a membrane must dry within 4 hours, form a sheet of film, adhere well, be free of fine holes, and contain no toxins so as not to harm the concrete.
This membrane barrier treatment is the best option if the foundry site does not have an adequate water source. This method can be said to be flexible because it can be done before or after wetting the concrete.
Some examples of membrane concrete curing treatment systems are using geotextile cloth, cast plastic, tarpaulin, and so on.
Benefits and Objectives of Concrete Curing Implementation
Some of the benefits obtained when treating concrete include:
- Keeps the concrete from losing moisture during the initial hardening process.
- Maintain the difference in concrete temperature with a variety of possible weather changes.
- Maintain the stability of the structural dimensions in the concrete.
- Helps to produce high-quality concrete strength.
- Keeping the inner or outer surface of the concrete so as not to lose water during evaporation in the first days.
- Assist in the development of compressive strength in concrete through concrete curing by evaporation.
In addition to the various benefits obtained from concrete treatment, there is a certain time duration for the implementation of the concrete treatment itself. This is influenced by several factors, including:
- How is the quality or strength of concrete?
- The durability of structure and stability of concrete.
- Waterproof level on concrete.
- The resistance of the concrete surface from wear, namely the loss of durability from the concrete surface due to friction from other objects.
- The stability of the volume of concrete is associated with shrinkage.
This is the explanation regarding the Definition and Benefits of Concrete Curing. Hopefully, this article can add to our insight into concrete building materials.
4 Ways of Care/Curing Concrete Correctly
Treatment for concrete or curing is carried out after the concrete has reached the final setting, or the concrete has undergone hardening. The purpose of this treatment is so that the hydration process does not experience problems, for example, cracks occur due to water evaporation that is too fast.
Curing of the concrete is carried out for at least a week and for 3 days the concrete must be kept moist. The treatment carried out by place will make the concrete have high compressive strength, better quality, more durable, more waterproof, more stable in supporting the structure, and more durable from wear and tear. Here is the full review.
Methods of Curing Concrete
Methods for treating concrete or concrete curing can be done in various ways, for example:
- Spraying concrete with a special layer on the surface.
- Continuously wetting the concrete surface or covering it with a damp/wet cover.
- Concrete curing/treatment can also be done with high-pressure steam, steam with atmospheric pressure, humidifying, and heating.
- Another technique of curing.
The following is an explanation one by one about the concrete curing process, please listen.
1. Curing Membrane
What is meant by membrane here is a physical barrier that can prevent water evaporation. The material in question must dry within 4 hours and form a sheet that adheres without adhering to the concrete, does not slip, is non-toxic, free from small holes, and does not harm the concrete.
This concrete curing method is very useful for treating rigid pavement or concrete hardening layers. The condition must be carried out immediately after the concrete binding time. The membrane is also good enough as an initial treatment before wet curing.
2. Liquid Watering Curing
The next concrete treatment/concrete curing is by wetting it. The wetting itself can be done by placing the concrete in a damp room. Or put concrete in a puddle, immerse the concrete in water, and place a wet sack on the concrete surface.
In addition, we can pour concrete continuously and the last one is sprayed with a chemical called a curing compound.
3. High-Temperature Evaporation Curing
Evaporative treatment of concrete can be carried out under low pressure and high pressure. With low-pressure treatment, the evaporation time is 10-12 hours at a temperature of 40 ° -50 ° Celsius.
While high-temperature treatment lasts for 10 – 16 hours at a temperature of 65 ° – 95 ° Celsius. Before curing by evaporation, the concrete temperature must be maintained at 10 ° -30 ° Celsius for several hours.
Usually, this type of concrete treatment method can be found in precast concrete manufacturers who produce concrete roof tiles and paving blocks.
The disadvantage of the evaporative concrete curing method is in terms of cost. The investment spent on high-pressure steam equipment and buildings is considered quite expensive. Therefore, this type of concrete treatment is less popular in the world of construction.
4. Curing With Other Treatments
Next is the treatment with infrared rays, namely by brightening the concrete for 2 – 4 hours at a temperature of 90 ° Celsius. The aim is to accelerate the evaporation of water to obtain high-quality concrete.
In addition, hydrothermal curing can also be applied or heating the mold to make pre-cast concrete with a temperature of 65 ° Celsius. Lastly is treatment with carbonization.
The 4 ways of curing concrete or the treatment mentioned above greatly contribute to the strength and durability of concrete. Please choose one of the methods or techniques for treating the concrete (curing) above for you to apply to your castings building.
Importance of Curing To Maintain Concrete Quality
This curing process includes maintaining humidity and temperature conditions, both in the concrete and on the concrete surface for a certain period of time.
A. PURPOSE OF CONCRETE TREATMENT
- Keeping concrete from losing a lot of cement water during setting time concrete.
- Keep the temperature difference between the concrete and the environment too large.
- Stability of the dimensions of the structure.
- Get high-strength concrete.
- Keeps concrete from losing water due to evaporation in the first days
- Keeps the cracks in check.
B. CONCRETE TREATMENT METHOD
Various types of concrete curing methods are commonly carried out either by simple wetting, evaporation and using a membrane. Choosing the right way to do concrete maintenance is something that must be considered because it greatly affects the costs that will be incurred.
1. Treatment With Wetting
Putting fresh concrete in a humid room (done on the test concrete).
Putting fresh concrete in a puddle (done on the test concrete).
Cover the concrete surface with water.
Cover the concrete surface with a wet sack.
Water the concrete surface continuously.
Coating the concrete surface with a special material ( Curing Compound )
2. Treatment By Evaporation / Steam
Before treatment with evaporation is carried out, the concrete must first be maintained and at a temperature of 10 ° -30 ° C for several hours. Evaporation treatment is useful in areas that have cold winters. This treatment should be followed by treatment with discussion after more than 24 hours, at least for 7 days of age, so that the compressive strength can be achieved as planned at the age of 28 days. Treatment by evaporation is carried out in 2 ways, namely:
- Low-pressure treatment lasts 10-12 hours with pressures ranging from 40 ° -55 ° C
- The high-pressure treatment lasts 10-16 hours with a pressure of 65 ° -95 ° C, with a final temperature of 40 ° -55 ° C.
3. Treatment With Membranes The
The membrane used for concrete treatment is a physical barrier to prevent water evaporation. The materials used must be dry within 4 hours (according to the final setting time), and form a sheet of film that is continuous, adhering and non-toxic, non-slip, free of fine holes, and does not harm the concrete. Plastic sheets or other sheets that are waterproof can be used very efficiently. Treatment using membranes is very useful for the treatment of rigid pavement layers. This method should be carried out as soon as possible after the concrete bonding time. Treatment in this way can also be done after or before treatment with discussion.
