Title: Strength of Concrete Cured Under Various Conditions in Tropical Climates

Author(s): R. Huyke-Luigi

Publication: Symposium Paper

Volume: 139

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 157-184

Keywords: climate; compressive strength; curing; curing compounds; hot weather construction; humidity; moisture; moisture content; ponding; slabs; strength; water; Materials Research

DOI: 10.14359/3903

Date: 9/1/1993

Abstract:
Concrete quality and strength are strongly affected by the curing procedures used in the initial days after concrete is cast. The relative advantage of any particular method and the strength-gain relations must be understood to assess concrete strength and quality adequately. In the present study, the strength gain with age of concrete up to 1 year with different compressive strengths and under different initial and subsequent curing conditions in warm and high-humidity climates was determined. The initial curing techniques evaluated were those most widely used in practice and were intended to represent actual, imperfect construction practice. The subsequent curing conditions were artificially modeled to simulate dry and rainy climates. Of the curing methods evaluated, ponding was found to be the most effective, followed by intermittent sprinkling, unsealed plastic covers, and curing compound. An initial period of three days can develop adequate concrete strength in Puerto Rico's climate; this has a good influence on concrete strength gain with age. Slabs that were kept indoors, and had no contact with water, showed in all cases a decrease in strength under saturated conditions at an age of 1 year, while those maintained outdoors with a rainy climate showed a continuous gain in strength with increasing slope at all times and developing strengths higher than the 28-day strength.