Concrete, made from sand, cement, and gravel, has become one of the essential elements in construction work. There are various types of concrete used in construction, each serving its specific purpose. However, to ensure that the structure lasts long and remains functional, concrete curing is necessary.
Concrete curing is the process of maintaining and caring for rapidly hardening concrete structures. So, how do you perform concrete curing?
What is Concrete Curing?
Concrete curing is the process of keeping the moisture content in concrete from reducing too quickly. This is important because concrete tends to dry and harden rapidly, so curing is essential to maintain its quality.
Curing is done while the concrete surface is in the hardening phase, aiming to stabilize the concrete through chemical reactions within the material mix. Concrete curing is a vital method in construction to maintain the surface and internal moisture and temperature levels of the concrete.
With proper care, concrete will have optimal quality, durability, and meet the construction design requirements.
Why is Concrete Curing Important?
Concrete curing is a long-term investment to ensure your building is strong, durable, and has a solid structure. Proper and effective curing can help prevent damage to your building over time.
Additionally, concrete curing serves several important functions. The functions of concrete curing are as follows:
1. Strengthening the Concrete Structure
Concrete curing is one of the methods used to maintain the stability of the concrete structure, preventing it from easily crumbling, becoming porous, or deteriorating over time. Furthermore, the curing process helps produce high-quality, strong concrete.
This is why regular concrete maintenance can preserve the concrete's strength both externally and internally, preventing it from losing moisture during the early stages of construction.
2. Maintaining the Concrete Surface
Another function of concrete curing is to keep the concrete surface smooth and aesthetically pleasing. Curing protects the concrete surface from mold, stains, and other forms of damage. As a result, the concrete will remain solid and tidy, even as it ages.
3. Preventing Concrete Cracking
Certain concrete placements expose it to various conditions such as temperature changes, extreme weather, or excessive pressure. As a result, without proper care, concrete can lose its strength more quickly and develop cracks.
In this case, concrete curing is necessary to make the concrete stronger and more resistant to conditions that trigger cracking, such as water seepage, extreme weather, or chemical exposure.
4. Creating a More Flexible Structure
As a construction material that hardens and dries quickly, concrete curing is essential to maintain its structural flexibility. This is because overly hard concrete structures can be difficult to integrate with other structures and are prone to damage.
5. Protecting from Direct Evaporation
Quality concrete has an ideal moisture content that prevents it from becoming too hard and allows for better flexibility. However, outdoor work often causes moisture to evaporate more quickly due to direct sunlight exposure. This is why concrete curing is essential to prevent direct evaporation.
6. Extending the Lifespan
Concrete curing is a maintenance method that can extend the lifespan of concrete by preserving its strength and flexibility. Proper care includes protecting it from damaging chemicals, conducting regular repairs, and cleaning the concrete surface.
7. Improving Safety
When curing concrete, protective layers are often used, reducing the risk of slipping or falling on wet concrete surfaces for workers or others who may be walking on the surface.
How to Perform Concrete Curing
There are several factors to consider when curing concrete, including monitoring temperature during the hardening process, maintaining the moisture content on the surface, protecting it from chemical damage, and more.
Concrete curing methods vary depending on the type of concrete used, environmental conditions, and the type of project. However, there are generally four main methods of concrete curing. These are as follows:
1. Watering Method
As mentioned earlier, concrete can harden quickly, and its moisture can evaporate rapidly under direct sunlight. The watering method can be done in several ways, such as:
- Spraying water onto the concrete.
- Applying curing compound liquids.
- Covering the concrete with wet burlap sacks.
- Immersing fresh concrete in water.
- Placing fresh concrete in a room with adequate humidity.
This method is suitable for protecting precast concrete, such as concrete pipes, U-ditch, paving blocks, and box culverts. The duration of watering depends on the concrete being used, but it is important to ensure that the liquid fully absorbs into the concrete structure.
2. Curing with Geotextile
Another method of concrete curing is using non-woven geotextile material, which acts as a permeable membrane. This curing tool helps protect the concrete from water evaporation, ensuring it achieves the desired hardness.
This method is an alternative if water is scarce for the watering method. Additionally, it does not require waiting for the concrete to set. It is also recommended to maintain concrete quality over an extended period.
3. Evaporation Method
The evaporation method is commonly used in cold-weather project sites. This method involves storing concrete at temperatures between 10–30°C and periodically moistening it with water.
Once the concrete reaches the desired strength, you can perform low-pressure evaporation at temperatures between 10–30°C or high-pressure evaporation at temperatures between 65–95°C. The evaporation method is typically used for curing concrete tiles.
4. Infrared and Hydrothermal Methods
The final concrete curing method involves using infrared, where hardened concrete is exposed to infrared light for 3–4 hours at 90°C. On the other hand, the hydrothermal method uses heat molds at 65°C to form concrete, then allows it to rest for several hours.
What to Consider When Curing Concrete?
Concrete curing is an essential method to increase concrete strength. However, there are several factors to consider, including curing duration. The following aspects should be kept in mind when curing concrete:
- Concrete volume stability.
- Concrete strength.
- Surface resistance to friction.
- Concrete stability.
- Durability of the concrete structure.
- Water resistance level of the concrete.
These are the key things to know about concrete curing before constructing concrete structures for your building or home. In addition to the curing methods, the quality of the materials used for concrete is also important, particularly the cement. Be sure to use high-quality cement, such as Semen Merah Putih.
To protect your concrete from potential seepage and leaks, use Semen Merah Putih Watershield with Triple Protection, which shields your concrete from three sources of water seepage: internal, external, and from the ground.
With its numerous advantages over regular cement, Semen Merah Putih Watershield is a highly versatile, premium-quality cement suitable for various construction tasks, including foundations, concrete roofs, casting, bricklaying, plastering, and sealing.
Now is the time to use Semen Merah Putih for stronger buildings! Contact us for more information about our products!
Read more: Precast Concrete: Definition, Functions, and Types
