When you add water to the concrete mix, you start the process of hydration. During it, the cement and water react with each other to form calcium silicate hydrate compounds. These compounds fuse with other compounds within the mixture to form strong bonds. To put it simply — curing concrete is what makes it strong.
How Concrete Cures?
Concrete curing is the process of allowing concrete to harden, strengthen, and develop its full durability and strength.
It is a critical stage in the construction process because improperly cured concrete can be significantly weaker than properly cured concrete.
Understanding how concrete cures and why it is important is the key to successful concrete construction. The curing of concrete starts as soon as it begins to set.
Once the concrete has been poured and leveled, it begins to harden. As it hardens, it is exposed to air and moisture, which react to form a chemical process known as hydration.
During hydration, cement particles in the concrete mix form a paste, which gradually hardens as it absorbs water and other components from the air.
The curing process is usually completed within 28 days. During this time, the concrete will continue to harden and gain strength. The curing process can be accelerated if the concrete is kept moist.
This is done by providing a moist environment or by spraying the concrete with water. Conversely, the curing process can be slowed if the concrete is kept too dry.
The curing process also affects the color of concrete. During the curing process, the cement particles in the concrete mix react with carbon dioxide in the air to form a
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