[TowerTalk] Concrete curing time

[Patrick Greenlee]

Standard concrete mixes without accellerants or retardants cure to 
within 90% of final strength in 28 days.  Cold can slow it and heat can 
speed it but in general about 28 days for 90% of final strength.

Plasticizer/water reducer additives make the concrete  thinner and 
runnier without adding extra water which reduces cure strength.  So 
better to add the water reducer plasticizer if you want to make the mix 
easier to flow while retaining strength.  Limited working pot life so 
additive needs to be added to mixer truck on site,  not at the plant.  
With the additive it is much easier to get rid of air bubbles and voids 
around the rebar armature.

Patrick

On 5/8/2015 1:55 PM, David Gallatin via TowerTalk wrote:
> I poured my base last fall. You need to get with the concrete provider on this and inform them what you are using the pour for. The things you may or may not have to do will depend on your soil and the weather at the time of the pour. The company will tell you what steps (if any, I got lucky and had none) you need to take and what additives are recommended, if any.    73,
> David, AA9G
>
> ex W5DCG and KC9EEV
>
>
>        From: Kent Olsen <kilo6dko at gmail.com>
>   To: towertalk at contesting.com
>   Sent: Friday, May 8, 2015 11:28 AM
>   Subject: [TowerTalk] Concrete curing time
>     
> Hi All
>
> I'm ready to pour the concrete for the foundation of my US Tower
> HDX-572MDPL. The foundation plans call for a 28 day cure of the concrete. I
> have seen others say that you need to spray water on the foundation 3 times
> a day as well as keep it covered with burlap for the curing process. Does
> the foundation need to be sprayed for the 28 days or can I stop at some
> point in the process? The reason for asking is I am going on vacation about
> halfway through the 28 days. I can get my neighbor to spray it for me but
> would rather not.
>
> 73
> Kent
> K6DKO
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