Improving the Performance of Concrete with Internal Curing (Part 1)-Overview (Recorded Presentation)

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The ESCSI series' first module on internal curing highlights its potential to enhance concrete performance by distinguishing it from conventional curing methods. Internal curing provides water from within the concrete using pre-wetted porous lightweight aggregates, facilitating cement hydration and reducing shrinkage and cracking. This technique boosts concrete durability by curbing reinforcement corrosion and accommodating the reduced permeability levels in modern, high-performance concretes, which traditional external curing struggles to penetrate effectively. Successful implementations, like in New York's bridge decks and Denver's water tanks, have demonstrated reduced cracking and maintenance costs. Through internal curing, transport of harmful ions is minimized, extending concrete lifespan and sustainability. Internal curing is achieved by replacing some fine aggregates with lightweight alternatives, ensuring comprehensive water distribution across concrete, crucial for advanced performance concretes with supplementary materials. Future modules will explore detailed internal curing techniques, proportioning, and its effect on fluid transport and shrinkage cracking.

Keywords

internal curing

concrete performance

lightweight aggregates

durability

sustainability