Curing Methods

Oiling and moistening forms before pouring concrete aid in curing concrete members with a small surface-to-volume ratio.

These forms may be left in place for a specific time and wetted if made of wood, or if removed early, the concrete needs to be moistened and covered using polyethylene sheets.

A covering is suspended above freshly laid large horizontal concrete surfaces exposed to dry weather until the concrete is set, followed by wet curing. 

Spraying or fogging water using a system of nozzles and ponding or flooding concrete surfaces with water facilitates wet curing.

Alternatively, covering concrete with moistened sawdust or straw or saturated moisture-retaining fabrics such as wet hessian or cotton mats that are either periodically watered or overlain with a polyethylene film ensures water-concrete contact.

Providing impervious membranes on concrete can minimize the evaporation of moisture but prevent moisture ingress. These can be made of waterproof papers, plastic sheets, or membrane-forming sealing compounds applied manually or sprayed onto damp concrete surfaces.  

Curing laboratory test specimens of concrete is achieved by immersing them in water.