Table of Contents

Introduction: References. Cementitious Materials Chemistry and Hydration: Introduction. Portland Cement. Supplementary Cementitious Materials. Hydration. Mix Design and Proportioning. Effects of Water. Temperature Effects. Summary. References. Benefits of Curing on Concrete Performance: Introduction. Cracking. Durability. Strength. Modulus of Elasticity. Creep. Sustainability. References. Curing in Practice: Introduction. Selecting Curing Methods. Temperature Control. Moisture Control. Where, When, and How Long? References. Measurement and Specifications: Balancing Theory and Practice. Heating and Cooling. Moisture Control. International Specifications. Verification of Curing. Guide Specification. Payment. References. Real-World Experience: Introduction. Hot Climate. Cold Climate. High-Performance Concrete. Performance Parameters. Specifications and Testing. Summary. References.

About the Author

Peter C. Taylor was born and educated in Southern Africa, and gained a B.Sc. and Ph.D. from the University of Cape Town. He spent ten years with consultants in Chicago involved in a wide range of consulting and research projects investigating the effects of raw materials on concrete performance, both in the laboratory and in the field, and since 2007 has been employed at the National Concrete Pavement Technology Center at Iowa State University. He also travels throughout the United States teaching practitioners about the latest technologies available to improve pavement reliability and sustainability. Dr. Taylor is the author of more than 50 publications and is an active member of Transportation Research Board (TRB), ASTM International, and American Concrete Institute (ACI) committees.

Reviews

"This book explains exactly why curing is so important and shows you how best to do it... There are numerous examples of how curing (or a lack of it) has affected concrete performance in real-world situations. These include examples from hot and cold climates, as well as those related to high-performance concretes. This book is aimed at construction professionals who want to ensure the quality and durability of their concrete structures and demonstrates that curing is well worth the extra effort and cost."
—Concrete, October 2014"I like the tone and level of the book. While it deals with a critical technical issue, it does so in a manner that makes it immediately attractive and intelligible to the ‘real’ people who have to worry about curing. This will be a great book for site personnel and mid-level managers, as well as students and other practitioners of concrete, to use in order to inform themselves about curing and to help in doing it properly. The book is clear and concise without getting bogged down in unnecessary detail. While some background in cement and concrete is probably needed, the book manages to deal with fairly complex issues in a readily understandable way…"
––Prof. M.G. Alexander, University of Cape Town, South Africa"This book is a practical yet comprehensive guide for anyone who is involved in concrete construction. It first describes the role curing plays in the hydration process, what properties are influenced by curing, guidance in the application and use of curing, how to measure and specify, and finally real-world guidance drawn from the experiences of others. … Overall, this is an excellent publication that presents fundamental concepts of concrete curing with a practical application of real-world expertise drawn from well-respected practitioners. Why we cure, how to specify it, and what the benefits will be are well presented."
––Jim Grove, P.E., Global Consulting Inc., Ames, Iowa, USA"A l