Technical Questions

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When is steam curing used?

Q. When is steam curing used?

 

A. Steam curing is curing in water vapor at atmospheric or higher pressures. When cured at atmospheric pressure, the enclosure temperatures are usually between 40 and 70°C (100 to 160°F). Steam curing is used where early strength gain is needed and where heat is required for hydration, such as in cold weather. In prestressing and precast plants, steam at atmospheric pressure provides high early strengths, enabling rapid demolding and reuse of forms. Excessive rates of heating and cooling may result in large, harmful volumetric changes and should be avoided.

 

References: SP-1(02); SP-32; ACI 308R-16; ACI 209R-92; ACI 302.1R-15; ACI 223R

Topics in Concrete: Concrete Fundamentals; Curing of Concrete; Placing Concrete

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