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Look at the modern urban structures around you – residential buildings, dams and bridges. What do you think gives them the strength to endure heavy loads and still stand intact for ages?
Concrete.
The importance of concrete in contemporary construction can never be stressed upon enough. When produced using the best cement for concrete, this construction material becomes the backbone that every structure can rely on.
Concrete yields high compressive strength which helps infrastructure bear heavy loads without collapsing. When prepared with the best cement, concrete reduces the permeability of the foundation and other parts to water, chemical and environmental attacks. This property prevents the development of cracks which can weaken a structure and shorten its life span.
However, simply using high-grade concrete to ensure the strength and durability of an infrastructure project is not enough. There’s yet another aspect to the process of using concrete which should never be ignored and that is – concrete curing.
Why You Can’t Skip Concrete Curing
Curing of concrete is a technical process and a non-negotiable necessity for sturdy construction. It is executed to maintain a sufficient level of moisture and temperature in the concrete used during construction.
But why is curing so essential for construction? Let us explain.
After being applied, concrete should get ample time to settle down and attain strength in the process. If it dries up rapidly, it will harden before it acquires its potential strength. This results in the formation of weak structures which develop cracks very easily.
By helping concrete to retain hydration and harden at a suitable pace, curing leads to smooth and durable construction.
Here, your choice of cement also plays a pivotal role. To optimise concrete strength, you should opt for cement with low heat of hydration and adequate setting time. MP Birla Cement Perfect Plus and Unique Plus are some of our best cement recommendations for superior concrete.
By choosing a reliable cement and relying on concrete curing you can:
- Prevent untimely drying out and hardening of the concrete
- Increase the long-term strength of the structure
- Avoid cracks and damages
- Ward off chemicals and other harmful elements from penetrating the structure and weakening the same
The curing of concrete can be done in different ways. Let us guide you through these methods and their relevance.
How To Cure Concrete Effectively?
Depending on the project requirements and the kind of structure being built, you can opt for different methods of curing during construction. Discover the most significant ones below.
Water Curing – Traditional Yet Essential
This method involves pouring water continuously on concrete surfaces to prevent moisture loss from the concrete. Water curing can be done in various ways:
- Ponding: This quick and economical process involves creating small, pond-like structures across the concrete surface, using clay or mortar bunds. These structures hold water continuously for 7-14 days for effective concrete curing. This method is best for curing concrete roof slabs and similar horizontal structures.
- Sprinkling: By using sprinklers you can easily spray water on large concrete surfaces with precise consistency. You can apply this process in case of curing vertical concrete surfaces like walls and columns.
- Wet Covering: Right after the concrete has set, you can use wet coverings like burlaps, hessian cloth or gunnery bags to cover up the structure. This prevents the evaporation of moisture from the concrete and helps it strengthen further. Concrete columns can be easily cured using this process.
Membrane Curing – Retain Moisture The Smart Way
In this process, a liquid is poured all over the concrete surface. It then solidifies into a membrane which acts as a barrier for preventing moisture from escaping the concrete. The liquid can be either water-based or oil-based.
Once the concrete curing process is over, you can rinse off the water-based liquid using water. To remove oil-based liquids, you may have to resort to chipping or sandblasting.
Another alternative is to cover concrete surfaces with water-tight plastic sheets and special curing blankets. This concrete curing method does not require much effort and is yet suitable for helping concrete gain proper strength and longevity. This type of membrane curing is also called sheet curing.
Steam Curing – Quick And Reliable
This type of concrete curing is done by increasing the temperature of the concrete. It involves the use of saturated steam to create humidity artificially. This way the rate at which the concrete gains strength increases. It prevents the risk of the concrete hardening before achieving its optimum strength.
To Sum Up
Concrete curing is indispensable for building strong and durable structures. It is a key step in any modern-day construction process. You can choose the curing method which is most convenient for you and meets the needs of the kind of structure you are building.
MP Birla Cement is here to supply the best cement for concrete. Choose the most appropriate curing method and pave the way for long-lasting construction.
FAQs
Q. What type of concrete curing is needed for roof slabs?
For horizontal concrete surfaces like roof slabs, you can opt for the famous ponding method. It is a budget-friendly but effective method for retaining moisture in the concrete so that it can attain its full strength.
Q.How is curing done in construction?
The concrete curing process allows the concrete to stay hydrated and not harden before gaining proper strength. It can be done in different ways during construction – starting from water curing to membrane and steam curing.
Q.When can you start the concrete curing process?
After the concrete is placed and it becomes hard enough to resist damage, you can start the concrete curing method. Then the process would work most effectively to help you build durable structures.