Influencia del tiempo de curado húmedo en la resistencia y durabilidad del concreto en clima tropical

Curing of concrete is one of the main means to guarantee that the material reach its desirable properties. In some regions there is evidence that concrete did not significantly reduce its compressive strength even without curing due to favorable climatic conditions; this is known as natural curing. However, it is possible that the concrete’s surface layer may be vulnerable to the effect of weathering. This study had the objective of determining the influence in the concrete of moist curing, from the point of view of compressive strength as well as from the point of view of durability; under a tropical savanna climate context and with the use of limestone aggregate of high absorption. Specimens with a water to cement ratio of 0.50 were cast and exposed to different periods of moist curing. Results show little influence of curing in the compressive strength, and high influence in the permeability of the material, thus it was concluded that under aggressive exposure conditions, the material should always be cure to achieve durability as well as strength.