Effect of Curing methods on the Compressive Strength of concrete

Abstract

Different curing methods are usually adopted to evaluate the compressive strength of concrete. This study reports the laboratory results of the effect of curing methods on the compressive strength as well as the density of concrete. A total of 72 cubes of mix ratio 1:2:4 were investigated after subjecting them to various curing conditions, with the aim of finding which of the curing method is best. The cubes were cured in the laboratory at an average temperature of 28 • C (82.4 • F). The results obtained showed that the average compressive strength values for 7, 14, 21 and 28 days, vary with curing methods. The results show that ponding had the highest compressive strength and density, followed by wet covering, sprinkling, then uncured for two days, with the totally uncured cubes having the least com-pressive strength and density as well as highest shrinkage limit. Ponding method of curing was recommended to be the best of all the curing methods.