Effects of curing temperature on moisture distribution, drying and water absorption in self-compacting concrete

Abstract

Steam curing is normally used in the precast industry to increase the rate of strength development with the aim of reducing the cycle time and thereby increasing productivity. However, there is concern about the durability of steam cured concrete elements, which is mainly determined by the quality of the cover concrete. In an effort to evaluate the effectiveness of curing at 50°C for several hours in producing durable concrete, compared to moist curing at 23 and 38°C for seven days, the moisture distribution of drying self-compacting concrete containing 30% fly ash, as well as the moisture distribution in water uptake experiments were studied using magnetic resonance imaging. The results of drying indicated an increased moisture loss in the cover concrete when the specimens were cured at 50°C. The water uptake experiments showed a higher penetration of the water front, higher sorptivity, and higher moisture diffusivity of concrete cured at 50°C compared to concrete which was moist cured at 38°C.