6 Techniques for Concrete Hydration and their Importance for Construction
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Na civil construction, concrete hydration during the curing process is performed to slow the evaporation of the water placed in the preparation of the concrete mortar, providing the best curing condition over time. This procedure is carried out in the first hours of concreting and, depending on the project, can be done by different methods.
Correctly curing concrete avoids problems, such as the appearance of fissures, cracks and cracks, which may compromise the durability, aesthetics and permeability of the structure or coating. But to choose the best healing technique, you need to know them all.
In this post, we are going to talk about these methods and how to go for the ideal one. Check it out!
A hydration Help in concrete hardening and can increase structure strength by up to 30%. To choose the most appropriate technique, some factors must be taken into account, such as the location where the work is located and the analysis of the demands of the construction process.
Based on the set of information, a trained professional will be able to say which is the best concrete hydration technique.
Curing with constant wetting is one of the most common methods and requires that the concrete block or structure be in contact with water without interruption. Essa The technique is suitable for slabs and floors, and the curing time varies depending on the compressive strength function.
Essa Hydration form it is one of the most used because it is low cost and does not require very specialized labor. However, this method can bring some harm, such as efflorescence.
Also recommended for floors and slabs, in this technique, compressed air systems maintain a mist close to the concrete artifact, allowing hydration. This method is not widely used because it requires more equipment and investments to cure concrete.
Easy to apply, Chemical cure it is suitable for the most diverse situations and offers satisfactory results, between 40% and 100%, according to the quality of the product. To use the method, it is necessary to follow the rules of ASTM C309 and ASTM C1315, since the ABNT has not yet specified regulations.
Steam curing occurs with the application of 100% UR, with a controlled temperature up to a maximum of 70°C. This technique uses the principles of maturity to achieve high resistance at low ages, and is not recommended when the objective is high resistance to abrasion or durability of the structure.
This method is time-consuming and also follows the principles of maturity. However, it is most often applied to precast parts. If it is desirable to have high resistance or high durability of the surface, thermal curing is not indicated.
Internal agents, such as additives, can be used to cure concrete, but care must be taken. Faces exposed for a long time, in environments that are too dry or with excessive wind, can impair the durability and strength of the structure.
The formwork used to shape concrete structures is able to protect the surface from early dehydration, in addition to acting as a healing method. In some cases, where the deformation occurs ahead of time, it is necessary to apply other techniques until the material reaches the appropriate level of hydration.
In Brazil, there are still no specific regulatory regulations for the healing and hydration process of concrete, but these methods are required by NBR 14931, from ABNT, which talks about the procedures for the execution of concrete structures.
Therefore, the hydration of the concrete is essential to guarantee more durability and resistance for all types of structures. In addition, following established standards and using quality products throughout the construction process provides more safety for concrete.
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