Curing of Concrete

The following methods of curing are adopted depending on the type of work:

Direct Curing

In this method water is directly applied to the surface of curing. In this process, the surface is continuously cured by stagnating water, or using moist gunny bags, straws, etc. These methods are used for horizontal surfaces. Vertical surfaces can be cured by covering moist gunny bags or straws.

Membrane Curing

In this method, steps are taken to prevent water evaporation from finished concrete surfaces. This is done by covering the surfaces with water-proof papers, polythene papers or by spraying with patented compounds or covering with a bituminous layer to form an impervious film on the concrete surface.

Steam Curing

This approach is widely used in precast concrete units. Here the precast units are kept under the warm and damp atmosphere of a steam chamber.

Surface Application by Chemicals

Chemicals such as calcium chloride are spread as a layer on the finished concrete. The chemical absorbs moisture from the atmosphere and prevents evaporation of the moisture from the concrete surface.