- Author
- Meeks, K. W. | Carino, N. J.
- Title
- Curing of High-Performance Concrete: Report of the State-of-the Art.
- Coporate
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD
- Report
- NISTIR 6295, March 1999, 199 p.
- Distribution
- AVAILABLE FROM National Technical Information Service (NTIS), Technology Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, Springfield, VA 22161. Telephone: 1-800-553-6847 or 703-605-6000; Fax: 703-605-6900. Website: http://www.ntis.gov
- Keywords
- concretes | building technology | curing | durability | high performance concrete | maturity | porosity | self-desiccation | silica fume | strength
- Abstract
- This report describes the latest information, technology, and research on the curing of high-performance concrete (HPC). The scope of the report is expanded somewhat to examine the current body of knowledge on the effects of various curing conditions on the development of the properties of concrete in general. The significance and importance of curing and various proposed definitions of high-performance concrete are discussed. Specific types of the most commonly used high-performance concrete are described, and their properties and characteristics are highlighted. The report summarizes some of the currently accepted concepts and theories of how curing alters the physico-chemical characteristics and structure of a cement paste, since many of these are applicable to the study of high-performance concrete. The landmark studies by Powers and Brownyard in the mid 1940s on the physical and chemical properties of hydrating cement paste are summarized. The history of the American Concrete Institute (ACI) building code requirements for curing are traced from the beginning of this century to the present time. Current curing requirements in the standards of various countries are reviewed and discussed. Some of the recent research in the United States and other countries, related either directly or indirectly to the curing of high-performance concrete, is summarized, including the important work of Hilsdorf in Germany. The report concludes with a discussion of the major areas of research needed to develop optimum curing criteria for this new class of concrete.