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3.23.1.15 Curing
Concrete shall be adequately cured to achieve full design strength.
Concrete performance relies on the curing process. The design should clearly indicate where there are any special requirements for curing concrete.
Freshly poured concrete should be kept moist by covering as soon as the surface is hard enough to resist damage. This is particularly important in hot, windy or cold weather to prevent the surface drying out too rapidly, or freezing. Damp hessian, damp sharp sand or an impervious sheet (such as polyethylene) are acceptable as surface coverings. Alternatively, a curing agent can be applied to the surface.
No load should be applied to the work until the concrete has cured sufficiently. It is recommended that plain unreinforced concrete made with ordinary Portland cement is left for at least four days to cure.
It is possible to proceed with substructure masonry above strip or trench fill foundations on unreinforced ordinary Portland cement concrete at an early stage, provided that care is taken to protect the surface from damage.
Reinforced concrete or concrete containing cement replacements, such as PFA, will require a longer curing period. This will normally take seven days, during which the concrete structure should not be loaded.
Any curing agents should comply with Technical Requirement R3 and should be applied strictly in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Curing agents should never be used on floors which are to receive either a topping or a screed, as it could affect the future bond. Curing periods may be extended at low temperatures.
Last updated: 2nd January 2024