Factors Affecting the Concrete Strength: Curing
The reaction among the ingredients of cement (C3S and C2S) with water is exothermic. The process is called dehydration and continues as the concrete begins to harden or set. Concrete mix turns to a plastic or a brittle as it sets on.
If not cured, the concrete loses its water due to evaporation which leads to change in volume or shrinkage. Shrinkage further leads to the formation of cracks and voids in the concrete and eventually leads to loss of its strength. Thus a regular flow of water is essential in the mix while it sets or hardens.
The rate of evaporation of water is affected by wind, radiation, climatic conditions, relative humidity, and other environmental aspects.
The figure shows that the strength of the concrete increases when it is cured regularly for a long time.
Commonly in the construction industry, it is believed that the concrete attains its full strength on 28 days of curing. However, curing is more of a process than a measure of strength itself. The 28 days strength acts as a minimum strength that the concrete has to attain during construction rather than defining the true strength of the concrete.
Most of the codes recommend 7–10 days of curing, corresponding to 70% of the specified compressive strength.
#Kamero #kameroconsults #construction #architecture #civilengineering #structuralengineering #concrete #reinforcement #architecture #materialengineering #housedesign #homedesign #Itahari #Nepal #Modernhomedesign