NAME:-MILAN SHARMA REG NO:-11004074 ROLL NO:-A21

NAME:-ABHISHEK PARASHAR REG NO:-11009853 ROLL NO:-A04

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 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 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.

Why Should Concrete Be Cured?

The essential component materials of concrete:coarse aggregates fine aggregates Cements water. when mixed together in various proportions will produce a reaction between the cementitious products

1.The main object of curing is to keep the concrete saturated or as nearly saturated as possible,until the originally water filled space in the fresh cement paste has been filled to the desired extent by the product of hydration of cement.

2. To prevent the loss of water by evaporation and to maintain the process of hydration.In case of site concrete the active curing stops long before the maximum possible hydration has taken place. 3. To reduce the shrinkage of concrete.

4. To preserve the properties of concrete.

1. PONDING:- Flat or near-flat surfaces such as floors,pavements, flat roofs and the like may be cured by ponding. A dam or dike is erected around the edge of the slab and water is then added to create a shallow pond as shown in be taken to ensure the pond does not empty due to evaporation or leaks.

Ponding is a quick,inexpensive and effective form of curing when there is a ready supply of good dam material a supply of waterand theponddoes not interfere with subsequent building operations.It has the added advantage of helping to maintain a uniform temperature on the surface of the slab.There is thus less likelihood of early age thermal cracking in slabs that are cured by water ponding.

2. Membrane curing:- Formwork Leaving formwork in place is often an efficient and cost-effective method of curing concrete, particularly during its early stages. In very hot dry weather, it may be desirable to moisten timber formwork, to prevent it drying out during the curing period, thereby increasing the length of time for which it remains effective It is desirable that any exposed surfaces of the concrete

be covered with plastic sheeting or kept moist by other means. It should be noted that, when vertical formwork is eased from a surface (eg from a wall surface) its effectiveness as a curing system is significantly reduced.

3.Steam curing:-

Duration for curing

Gentlemen there is nothing Technical behind the concept of Curing.Logic is what behind this.As per IS 456, the grade of the concrete itself indicates the strength of the Concrete after 28 days,..right? Then curing has to be done for 28 days in order to test the Compressive strength of the concrete. What I would say is.. without curing for 28 days how can you carry out the test and say that the member which contains the

concrete equals the strength that off the cube strength. This concept is purelly Illogical. To ensure whether the member has attained strength, cubes have to be kept on/adjacent to that particular member (Slab, beam,girder,column) and then curing to be carried out. Now curing will happen equally and simultaneoulsy to both. After which testing of cubes will actually give the strength of the member Else If curing is done for 7/14 days then test the

cubes only for that particular period, which also signified same strength for the member. But curing for 7/14 days only would lead following 1. Low compressive strength then required as per Design mix. 2. Lesser durability of concrete. 3. Increased permeability. 4. Concrete becomes brittle & breaks due to improper hydration.

Removal of formwork
It is beneficial for thick sections (say >500mm) to have late removal of formwork to reduce early thermal cracking. This is to allow more time for the centre of concrete section to cool down gradually to reduce the risk of thermal cracking. This is effective in controlling the temperature differential across the cross section of the concrete structures and reducing the potential of internal cracking due to early

induces tensile strains and forms cracks tangential to the circular radius. The timing of removal of formwork will depend on the rate of strength gain of the concrete: (a) Vertical surfaces can be struck when the concrete is strong enough to resist the adhesion on the concrete/form face surface. (b) Soffits cannot be struck until the concrete has gained sufficient strength for the element to support is self weight for all or part of the structural span. It is possible

to speed up the removal of much soffit formwork by removing a small part of the formwork and then installing props to this area. Another area of formwork can then be removed and props installed props. This sequence can be repeated until all the formwork has been remove and the soffit is fully propped. When removing formwork it is important to avoid damage to the surface of the concrete and particularly to edges and corners. Following removal of the.

formwork, all exposed surfaces must be covered with polythene or wet hessian to prevent moisture loss for about 5 days, so that the concrete is fully cured.

Thank

you