Short-term steam-curing

and concrete later-age strength

I. SOROKA (~), ~. H. JAEGERMANN (1)~ A. BENTUR ('1

7he effect oJ steam curing on later-age strength of concrete was studied on mixes having the
nominal cement content of 150 to 400 kg/mL Three series of tests were involved in which the
delay period was 30 or 60 minutes, the curing period varied Jrom 2 to 5 hours, and the curing
temperature from 60~ to 80~ It was confirmed that steam-curing affected adversely concrete
later-age strength. It was concluded, however, that under short curing periods" and moderate
temperatures this adverse effect was primarily due to the lack of supplementary wet-curing
and not necessarily to such physical./'actors as increased porosity, internal cracking and the
heterogeneity oJ" the paste. Accordingly, under such conditions, supplementary 7 days wet-
curing was /ound to virtually eliminate the adverse effect o/'steam-curing on concrete strength.

INTRODUCTION not allow ample time for the hydration products to

It was demonstrated on many occasions ([l]-[ll])
that steam-curing under atmospheric pressure affected
adversely concrete later-age strength, and that the
strength of steam-cured concrete at ages exceeding,
say, 28 days, was lower than that of otherwise the
same concrete subjected to standard wet-curing at
20~ It is generally accepted by now that the tempe-
ratures associated with steam-curing do not affect
significantly the chemical or the physical nature of
the hydration products ([12], [13]). Consequently, some
physical causes, such as the difference in the coefficient
of thermal expansion of concrete constituents, were
suggested to bring about the observed reduction in
later-age strength ([11], [14]-[16]). This difference in
the thermal expansion was considered to cause micro-
cracking in the paste, and at the aggregate-paste
interface, and therefore to adversely affect concrete
strength. The increased porosity of the paste, due to
expansion of the entrapped air, was also suggested
as a possible cause ([11], [17]). Another possible cause
was attributed to the heterogeneity of the gel which
was believed to form as a result of steam-curing [12].
It was suggested that the high rate of hydration does
(') Building Research Station, Faculty of Civil Engineering
Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa.
diffuse and precipitate relatively uniformly in the space
between the cement grains. Consequently, a dense
layer is formed in the immediate vicinity of the cement
grains at the expense of the less dense, and therefore
weaker gel, which is formed in the interstitial space.
This weaker part of the gel, and to some extent also
the retarded subsequent hydration of the cement by
the dense layer, are considered to be the major causes
of the detrimental effect of elevated curing tempe-
ratures on concrete strength. Another explanation [18]
attributes the lower later-age strength to the effect
of temperature on the morphology of the gel particles.
It is suggested in this respect that later-age strength
is determined by the ratio of the long to the short
fibres of the CSH gel particles. Heat treatment reduces
the relative amount of the long fibres bringing about
the reduced strength.
A critical evaluation of the suggested explanations
is not attempted here, being discussed elsewhere in
some detail ([1 I], [13]). The paper, presents, however,
some experimental data which suggest that, under
certain conditions, the detrimental effect on strength
is primarily due to the lack of supplementary wet-
curing of the steam-cured concrete, and not necessarily
to one or more of the above-mentioned causes. The
data in question resulted from three independent
series of tests which are also briefly described hereafter.
VOL. 11 - N ~ 6 2 - M A T I ~ R I A U X ET C O N S T R U C T I O N S
EXPERIMENTAL AND TEST DATA
In the first series of tests [19] the effect of steam-
curing on compressive strength of plastic concrete
(5" slump), containing 300 kg ordinary Portland cement
per cubic meter (w/c ratio = 0.68) was investigated.
The concrete specimens (7 cm 3) were subjected to
steam-curing 30 minutes after the addition of the
water to the mix and curing time varied from 2 to
4 hrs 40 rain. at steam temperatures of 60 and 80~
Part of the steam-cured specimens received no
further curing and awaited testing at 20~ RH.
The remaining part, after being cooled down, was
immersed in water at 20~ to the age of 7 days, and
then awaited testing in the same environment. Reference
specimens were subjected to a standard curing regime,
namely, immersion in water at 20~ to the age of 7 days
followed by storage in air at 20~ RH. Test
data are summarized in figure 1.
It is clearly evident from figure 1 that steam-curing
adversely affected 28 days strength, and depending
on the specific curing-regime, the flexural and the
compressive strengths were up to 35% lower than
the corresponding strengths of, the standard-cured
specimens. On the other hand, it is also quite evident
that this adverse effect on compressive strength was
virtually eliminated when steam-curing was supple-
mented by 7 days water-cu/'ing. The effect of the
supplementary water-curing on the flexural strength
was essentially the same with the resulting strength
reaching 90-059/o of the corresponding standard strength.
This, in turn, implied that, under test conditions, the
adverse effect of short-term steam-curing was essentially
due to inadequate curing rather than to some other
cause.
The preceding conclusion, attributing the adverse
effect of short-term steam-curing on later-age strength
to inadequate curing, was further supported by the
second series of tests [20]. This series included concretes
having the nominal cement contents of 275, 325 and
400 kg/m 3. Steam-curing commenced 1 hour after the
addition of the water to the mix, and curing period,
at 60 and 80~ varied from 2 to 5 hours. Again, after
cooling, the specimens were immersed in water to the
age of 7 days and than stored at 20~ RH pending
the compressive strength test at 90 days. Test data
are summarized in figure 2 in which the ratio between
the strength of the steam-cured concrete, St, and
its standard-cured counterpart, SO, is plotted versus
the amount of curing, i.e. the product of curing
period (hours) and curing temperature (~ measured
with respect to + 20~
It can be seen from figure 2, that the strength of
the steam-cured concrete was virtually equal to, and
in most eases higher than, the strength of the same
standard=cured concrete. In other words, the effect
of the supplementary water-curing was not limited
to the complete elimination of the expected adverse
effect on the 90 days strength, but actually resulted
in improved strength. The improvement in strength
was, however, somewhat more evident in the leaner
than in the richer mixes. This may be attributed to
the difference in the rate of strength development in
mixes of different cement contents. The rate of strength
94
development in lean mixes is slower than in rich ones,
and consequently the accelerating effect of steam-
curing on strength development would be more
pronounced in such mixes. In any case, however,
the present series clearly suggests that the adverse
effect which steam-curing may have on later-age
strength of concrete results essentially from the lack
of supplementary water-curing.
The third series of tests demonstrated once again
that steam-curing without supplementary water-curing
resulted, indeed, in a significant decrease in com-
pressive strength [21]. This series was similar to the
second series with the exception of being limited to
a curing temperature of 70~ As already has been
implied the steam-cured specimens were not subjected
to any supplementary curing and awaited testing at
20~ RH. Test data are summarized in figure 3
where the 28 day strength of" standard cured concrete
was taken as the reference strength (= 100~o). It is
clearly evident from figure 3 that steam-curing without
supplementary water curing is associated with signi--
ficantly reduced later-age strength, with this reduction
being 22-35'~, at 28 days and 26 to 40% at 90 days.
DISCUSSION
The presented data clearly indicate that steam-
curing under atmospheric pressure affects adversely
later-age strength of concrete. It is also indicated,
however, that this adverse effect is virtually eliminated
by supplementary wet-curing of the steam-cured con-
crete. This in turn implies that the adverse effect on
strength is primarily due to the drying-out of the
concrete and the resulting decline in the hydration
rate and its associated strength development. Consi-
dering concrete temperature when being exposed to
relatively dry air, such drying-out should be regarded
as a distinct possibility. This is also implied by the
fact that the steam-cured concrete virtually did not
gain any strength after the age of 7 clays (.fig. 3). Such
a performance can be attributed either to the drying-
out of the concrete to the extent that no further hydra-
tion was possible, or to the formation of a dense gel
layer encapsulating the cement grains and retarding
further hydration [12]. The later explanation, however,
cannot be accepted because, had such a retardation
been in effect, no further hydration would be possible
due to supplementary wet-curing.
Moreover, the concrete in question was submitted
to steam-curing after a short delay period of only
30 to 60 minutes i.e. under conditions which are
expected to be quite detrimental to concrete com-
pressive strength. Nevertheless, the supplementary wet-
curing was found to eliminate any such effect implying
that, under conditions in hand neither the increased
porosity nor the internal cracking can be considered
to contribute significantly to the detrimental effect
of steam-curing on strength.
The general nature of the foregoing conclusion
that the reduced later-age strength of steam-cured
concrete is primarily due to the lack of supplementary
wet-curing, is somewhat questionable. True, ' to some
extent it is indirectly supported by some studies in
which the adverse effect of steam-curing on strength
 I. SOROKA - C. H. JAEGERMANN - A. BENTUR

I00% further concluded that the greater permeability of the

90% steam-cured concrete is due to inadequate during and
80% not to any damage caused to the concrete by steam-
70% curing. Accordingly 7 days supplementary fog-curing
i .c
6o~ was recommended when a high ultimate strength
= 50% was desired.
~ 100% As can be realized from the preceding discussion,
9O% there exists a considerable variation in the reported
i 80g data, a variation which is probably attributable to
70% ~o the fact that the effect of steam-curing on strength
60% is dependent on many factors which varied in the
50%
)0 2.45 3.30 2.30 3.40 4.40 Duratlon~hr, different studies. Nevertheless, the mere fact that
80~ 60~ Temp. ~ strength was adversely affected even when supplemen-
tary curing was employed, implies that the conclusion
that the lack of such curing is the primary cause of
~ Standardcuring ~ S........ing ~ S........ing
followedby followedby this adverse effect, cannot be generally accepted as
water curing drying at 20~
valid for all possible steam-curing regimes. On the
other hand, however, and as far as it may be concluded
Fig. 1. - - The effect of curing regime of 28 days concrete strength. from the available data, this conclusion may be essen-
tially true for short curing periods under moderate
was observed when no supplementary wet-curing was
employed and the steam-cured concrete was subjected
to drying in the laboratory environment ([2], [3], [22]). 100
I
On the other hand, however, such an adverse effect C=156 i
was observed also when supplementary curing was
employed and, in fact, strength losses up to 32 and 553o ~ 5O
were reported by Mamillan [10] and Alexanderson [11]
respectively. Similarly, Shideler and Chamberlin [1] --e
" o/
found a reduction of up to 50jo in the 28 days strength I0C
0
z
C=212 -~
of concrete steam-cured at 85~ At the lower tempe-
ratures of 38 and 54~ however, the 28 days strength
of the steam-cured concrete was only slightly less 50
than its standard-cured counterpart. A comparable
small reduction, not exceeding 15'}~;, was found by
am IO0
Nurse and Whitaker [5] for curing temperatures of .
C=266 "~
50 and 60~ reaching 2031, for temperatures of 80 8 o
and 90~ Higginson [2] found that such strength
related properties as permeability and resistance to
freezing and thawing were significantly improved when
supplementary fog-curing was employed. The same
conclusion was later reached by Wierig [22]. Higginson
~ so
7
loo
C=336 q
,!
i.1
CEMENT CONTENT,Kg. per cu.m=275
50 /
7 28
AGE DAYS ( Log scale)
4 9O

J Fig. 3
< 1.0
1 t t
I
) I I' I I' curing temperatures. Apparently, under such conditions
g the physical effects involving increased porosity, internal
325
cracking and heterogeneity of the gel, are rather limited
1.1 and strength properties are mainly determined by the
__/---.... degree of hydration. For longer curing periods, and
particularly under high temperatures, apparently the
o" 1.0 detrimental effect of the physical causes is considerably
I I ~ I { t 1 I I enhanced and determines concrete strength. Supple-
I

x" &00 mentary curing will increase strength, but with the
Z
irreversible nature of the physical effects, the ultimate
Lid
n- strength of the steam-cured concrete will remain less
than the strength of its standard-cured counterpart.
1.0 "-7--, Consequently, in summing up it may be concluded
that the lack of supplementary curing is the main
100 200
AMOUNT OF CURING,~ cause for the detrimental effect of steam-curing on
concrete-strength when short curing periods and mode-
Fig. 2 rate curing temperatures are involved, implying that

95
 VOL. 11 - N ~ 62 - MATERIAUX ET CONSTRUCTIONS
under such conditions strength losses can be avoided
to a considerable extent by supplementary wet-curing.
The supplementary wet-curing will improve also the
strength o f concrete which is subjected to more severe
curing conditions. Under such conditions, however,
due to the irreversible nature o f the physical effects,
strength losses will persist, and the supplementary
wet-curing o f the concrete can only reduce the resulting
losses.
REFERENCES
[1] SHIDELER J. J., CHAMBERLIN W. H. - Early strength
of concrete as affected by steam-curing temperatures.
J. Amer. Concr. Inst., Vol. 46, (4), 1949, pp. 273-283.
[2] HIGGINSON E. C. - Effect of steam-curing on the
important properties of concrete. J. Amer. Concr.
Inst., Vol. 58, (3), 1961, pp. 231-298.
[3] HANSON J. A. - Optimum steam-curing procedure
in precasting plants. J. Amer. Concr. Inst., Vol. 60,
(1), 1963, pp. 75-100.
[4] NURSE R. W. - Physical and chemical Jundamentals
and methods of accelerated hardening of concrete.
RILEM Syrup. Accelerated Hardening of Precast
Concrete, Moscow, 1964.
[5] NURSE R. W., WHITAKERT. -- Strength tests of steam-
cured concrete. RILEM Syrup. Accelerated Hardening
of Precast Concrete, Moscow, 1964.
[6] JAROCK! W., TALBIERSKI J. - Steam-consumption
for steam curing process of concrete elements at tempe-
rature below 100~ RILEM Symp. Accelerated Har-
dening of Precast Concrete, Moscow, 1964.
[7] REINSDORF Z. -- Acceleration of concrete hardening
by heating the concrete grout (Hot mixed concrete).
RILEM Symp. Accelerated Hardening of Precast
Concrete, Moscow, 1964.
[8] SEMENOVL. A., PODUROVSKYN. I., VOLKOVSKYN. N.
-- Heat moisture treatment of concrete in pressureless
steam-curing chambers. RILEM Symp. Accelerated
Hardening of Precast Concrete, Moscow, 1964.
[9] ODLER I., GEBAUER J. -- Zementhydratation bei
Warmbehandelung. Zem-Kalk-Gips, Vol. 55, (6), 1966,
pp. 276-281; (7), pp. 303-308.
RI~SUMI~
Conservation h la vapeur et r6sistance ult6rieure du
b6ton. - L'effet de la conservation d la vapeur sur la
r&istance ult~rieure du b&on a dtd ~tudi~ au cours de
trois s~ries indOpendantes d'essais. Dans la premi&e
sdrie, on a ~tudi~ un b~ton plastique (5 secondes pour
l'affaissement) dos6 d 300 kg/m 3 de ciment portland
ordinaire (E/C = 0,68). 30 minutes aprOs l'addition
d'eau au m~lange, les ~prouvettes (cubes de 7 cm) ont
dt~ mises en atmosph&e de vapeur pour des durdes
variant de 2 d 4 h 40 m n et des tempOratures de 60-80~
(cf. les principales donn&s, fig. 1). La seconde sdrie
comprenait des b~tons ayant des teneurs nominales de
ciment de 275, 325 et 400 kg/mL La cure en atmosphOre
de vapeur a commencO 1 heure apr& l'addition d'eau,
de 60-80~ pour des duties de 2-5 heures (fig. 2). La
troisiOme s~rie ne diff&ait de la seconde que par la
temp&ature de vapeur f i x & gz 70~ (fig. 3).
96
[10] MAMILLANM. - Recherches expOrimentales sur l "acc&
l~ration du durcissement du b~ton par le chauffage. Ann.
I'ITBPT, No. 267/8, 1970, pp. 110-203.
[11] ALEXANDERSON J. - - Strength losses in heat cured
concrete. Swedish Cement and Concrete Research
Inst. Proc., No. 43, Stockholm, 1972.
[12] VERBECK G. J., HELMUTH R. H. - Structure and
physical properties of cement paste. Proc. Symp. Chem.
Cements, Tokyo, Vol. 3, 1968, pp. 1-36.
[13] VENAUT M. - Effect of elevated temperatures and
pressures on the hydration and hardening of cement.
Proc. Syrup. Chem. Cements, Moscow, 1974.
[14] MIRONOV S. A. - Some generalizations in theory
and technology of acceleration of concrete hardening.
Highw. Res. Bd. Spec. Rep., No. 90, Washington, 1966.
[15] BUDNIKOVP. P., ERSHLERE. - Studies of the process
of cement hardening in the course of low pressure
steam-curing. Highw. Res. Bd. Spec. Rep., No. 90,
Washington, 1966, pp. 413-446.
[16] CZERNINW. -- Einige Bemerkungen iiber das Verhalten
des Zements bei Dampfbehandlung. Betonstein Zeitung,
Vol. 24, (3), 1958, pp. 24-28.
[17] BUTT Y. M., KOLBASOV V. M., TIMASHOV V. V. -
High temperature curing of concrete under atmospheric
pressure. Proc. Syrup. Chem. Cements, Tokyo, 1968,
Vol. 3, pp. 437-476.
[18] LOCHERF. W. - Chemie des Zements und der Hydra-
tionsprodukte. Zement Taschenbuch 1976/77, Bau-
verlag GmbH, Wiesbaden-Berlin, 1976, pp. 19-42.
[19] JAEGERMANNC. H., BENTUR A. -- The development
of destructive and non-destructive testing methods for
precast and cast-in situ concrete elements. Building
Research Station, Technion, Israel Institute of Techno-
logy, Haifa, 1974 (Hebrew).
[20] SOROKA I., JAEGERMANN C. H. - Steam-curing of
lightweight aggregate concrete under atmospheric pres-
sure. Proc. 8th Intern. Congr. Precast Ind. (BIBM),
Stresa, Italy, 1975.
[21] SOROKA I. - - Unpublished, data I975.
[22] WIERIGH. J. v- Fast thermal treatment of reinforced
concrete. Proc. 8th Intern. Congr. Precast Ind. (BIBM),
Stresa, Italy, 1975.
Les essais ont confirmO que la vapeur affecte la r&is-
tance ult~rieure du b~ton. Cependant, on en a conclu
que, pour de courtes pOriodes de conservation d la vapeur
d des tempdratures moddr&s, cet effet n~gatif dtait
principalement dft dz un d~faut de conservation compl&
mentaire d l'humiditd et non n&essairement fi des
facteurs physiques tels que porosit~ accrue, fissuration
interne, ou gt l'h~t~rogdn~itk de la pdte. Dans ces condi-
tions, on a donc ~tabli qu'it fallait un temps supptdmen-
taire de 7 jours en ambiance humide pour virtuellement
~liminer les effets contraires de la conservation d la
vapeur sur la rdsistance du bOton, ce qui implique que
dans ces conditions, les pertes de r&istance peuvent
&re en grande partie &itdes. L a prolongation de sOjour
en ambiance humide am~liore aussi la r&istance du
b~ton soumis d des traitements plus s&dres, soit des
p&iodes plus longues d temp&atures plus ~lev&s.
Cependant, dons ces conditions, du fait de la nature
irr&ersible de certains effets physiques, on ne pourra
que rOduire darts une certaine mesure les pertes de
r&istance.