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Description: Curing is widely perceived as being an important factor in achieving durable concrete structures. However, direct evidence that the levels of curing achieved on-site increases durability is scarce. This publication describes the second phase of an investigation into the influence of practical on-site curing on the durability of concrete. The first phase was a literature review (CIRIA PR49, 1997 - now out of print) which arrived at limited conclusions concerning the effects of site curing on durability. In this investigation, scanning electron microscopy was used to evaluate the influence of different curing regimes and environmental exposures on the porosity and degree of hydration in the 'curing affected zone' (CAZ), and their influence on durability and abrasion resistance. The objectives were to establish the viability of a method for investigating:
- the link between practical curing methods and the microstructure of concrete in the CAZ
- the relationship between microstructure in the CAZ and durability performance.

This publication is part of a collaborative research programme between CIRIA and the Concrete Society entitled Concrete techniques - site operations. It was carried out under contract by The Imperial College of Science Technology and Medicine and Taywood Engineering. On-site curing of concrete will be of interest to all design, specification, construction and supervising engineers involved in building and civil engineering works.

Keywords: concrete and structures, design and buildability.

Contents: 1 Introduction, 2 Panels, 3 Abrasion resistance, 4 Carbonation depth, 5 Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), 6 Correlations between abrasion, carbonation, and SEM results, 7 Conclusions, 8 Recommendations for further research, Appendices