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Home > Tools > Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is water curing permitted by ACI 301 for mass concrete structures? A. ACI 301 “Specifications for Concrete Construction” only allows the use of water-retention sheeting materials or membrane-forming curing compounds for curing mass concrete structures (Unless otherwise specified, water curing methods such as continuous fogging, ponding, continuous sprinkling or application of absorbent material is not allowed). Although concrete is generally best cured with water, the temperature of the water used for curing becomes a concern in mass concrete. If the temperature of water used for curing mass concrete is lower than the temperature of the concrete surface, the water will cool the concrete surface; this might create a thermal gradient (between the surface and the inner core) large enough to cause thermal cracking. References: ACI 301-20; ACI 207.1R-05; ACI 207.2R-07; ACI PRC-207.4-20 Topics in Concrete: Mass Concrete; Specifications for Concrete; Curing of Concrete
Q. Is water curing permitted by ACI 301 for mass concrete structures?
A. ACI 301 “Specifications for Concrete Construction” only allows the use of water-retention sheeting materials or membrane-forming curing compounds for curing mass concrete structures (Unless otherwise specified, water curing methods such as continuous fogging, ponding, continuous sprinkling or application of absorbent material is not allowed).
Although concrete is generally best cured with water, the temperature of the water used for curing becomes a concern in mass concrete. If the temperature of water used for curing mass concrete is lower than the temperature of the concrete surface, the water will cool the concrete surface; this might create a thermal gradient (between the surface and the inner core) large enough to cause thermal cracking.
References: ACI 301-20; ACI 207.1R-05; ACI 207.2R-07; ACI PRC-207.4-20
Topics in Concrete: Mass Concrete; Specifications for Concrete; Curing of Concrete
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