ACI PRC-308-26: Curing of Concrete—Guide

Description

This guide reviews and describes practices, procedures, materials, and monitoring methods for the external curing of concrete and provides guidance for specifying curing procedures. Current curing techniques are presented, and commonly accepted methods, procedures, and materials are described. Methods are given for curing structures and buildings, pavements and other slabs-on-ground, and for mass concrete. Curing methods for several specific categories of cement-based products are discussed in this document.

The materials, processes, quality control measures, and inspections described in this document should be tested, monitored, or performed as applicable only by individuals holding the appropriate ACI certifications or equivalent.

Keywords:

cold weather construction; curing compound; hot weather construction; mass concrete; reinforced concrete; sealer; shotcrete; slabs-on-ground.

Document Details

Author: ACI Committee 308

Publication Year: 2026

Pages: 44

ISBN: 9781641953597

Categories: Cold Weather, Curing, Hot Weather, Reinforcement, Shotcrete, Slab-On-Ground

Formats: Printed Document or Protected PDF/Web View

Table of Contents

CHAPTER 1—INTRODUCTION, p. 2

1.1—Scope, p. 2

1.2—Curing, p. 2

CHAPTER 2—DEFINITIONS, p. 2

CHAPTER 3—UNDERSTANDING CURING, p. 3

3.1—Curing and hydration of portland cement, p. 3

3.2—Deliberate curing procedures, p. 5

3.3—Curing-affected zone, p. 10

3.4—Concrete properties influenced by curing, p. 11

3.5—Effects of elevated temperature, p. 12

3.6—Sustainability, p. 15

CHAPTER 4—CURING METHODS AND MATERIALS, p. 15

4.1—Scope, p. 15

4.2—Use of water for curing concrete, p. 15

4.3—Initial curing methods, p. 16

4.4—Final curing measures, p. 16

4.5—Termination of curing measures, p. 20

4.6—Cold-weather protection and curing, p. 20

4.7—Hot-weather protection and curing, p. 21

4.8—Accelerated curing, p. 21

4.9—Minimum curing requirements, p. 21

4.10—Temperature limits during curing, p. 23

CHAPTER 5—CURING FOR DIFFERENT TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION, p. 23

5.1—Pavements and other slabs on ground, p. 23

5.2—Buildings, bridges, and other structures, p. 24

5.3—Mass concrete, p. 24

5.4—Curing colored concrete floors and slabs, p. 25

5.5—Specialty constructions, p. 26

CHAPTER 6—MONITORING CURING AND CURING EFFECTIVENESS, p. 26

6.1—General, p. 26

6.2—Evaluating environmental conditions, p. 26

6.3—Means to verify application of curing, p. 28

6.4—Impact of curing procedures on immediate environment, p. 29

6.5—Impact of curing procedures on moisture and temperature within concrete, p. 29

6.6—Maturity method, p. 29

6.7—Assessing curing effectiveness, p. 30

CHAPTER 7—REFERENCES, p. 31

Authored references, p. 32

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