Title: Effect of Steam Curing on the Important Properties of Concrete

Author(s): Elmo C. Higginson

Publication: Journal Proceedings

Volume: 58

Issue: 9

Appears on pages(s): 281-298

Keywords: none

DOI: 10.14359/7984

Date: 9/1/1961

Abstract:
Because steam curing of concrete is widely used in the manufacture of precast concrete products, especially concrete pipe, investigations were conducted in the Bureau of Reclamation laboratories to determine the effect of steam temperatures from 100 to 160 F, length of steam curing from 6 to 48 hr, and of a .1- and 3-hr delay prior to steaming, on the important properties of concrete. Properties of the concrete which were studied include com-pressive strength, modulus of elasticity, durability as measured by the freezing and thawing test, permeability, volume change, resistance to abrasion, and resistance to sulfate attack. Research was also conducted to determine steam curing effect on drying shrinkage, dynamic modulus, weight change to 6 months’ age, and modulus of rupture. In general, concrete that has been steam cured and then air dried is not as good as concrete that has been con-tinuously fog cured or even fog cured for 7 days. Supplemental fog curing after the steam cure period improves the quality of the steam-cured concrete. However, concrete. of high quality can be properly applied. produced using steam ring