The curing work is required to gain the optimum strength, hardness, durability, water tightness, wear resistance, and volume stability. The function of curing is to maintain the required moisture content and temperature to allow hydration of concrete which is a chemical reaction between cement and water. Unless the curing process isn’t done properly after the placement of concrete,

• The concrete doesn’t reach it’s required or designed strength
• During hardening, it can cause to generate cracks

Water pouring is essential to present a moist environment. In about 4 weeks (28 days) concrete will get 90% of its full strength. Curing is a way of providing a concrete surface to keep damp until it gains strength.

The curing methods that can be used at a construction site are given below;

• Spray water onto the concrete formation
• Damping the concrete surface with wet covering(such as gunny bags)
• Use ponding, which is done by forming a dam wall of sand (or 1:10 cement: sand loose mix) around the concrete formation and then flooding it with water.

The result of this process is increasing strength and decreasing permeability. Curing is also a key player in mitigating cracks in the concrete which severely impacts durability.