Concrete curing question...?

Question

Does the center of a concrete pad cure/dry at the same rate as the surfaces? I will be pouring a 16" slab and it's very important the center is strong because it will be supporting ALOT of weight. Any concrete geniuses please advise. Thanx!

Answer 1

It will take longer for the center to set up. Check with a pro for details and make sure you wait as long as they say. We poured once and waited almost 2 weeks before driving on it to be sure.

Answer 2

Concrete takes a full 28 days to cure,  this means the chemicals have done their work and are no longer working.   but the surface is cured sufficiently (thought not completely) to allow you to use it., after about 4 days without breaking the finished surface. I 've been in the game too many years.

Answer 3

Concrete cures, it does not dry.   It's a chemical bond between calcium carbonate and water.  It cures evenly throughout but the surface if kept wet will create a harder shell.  Concrete curing is a curve, with 90% strenght within 6 days.

Answer 4

Concrete cures. it dosnt dry. it is a chemical action. Slow drying concrete is stronger. Thats why they put the test pots in water to set. Concrete reached acceptable strength in 28 days. It should not be over 29 deg C when setting for best results. it will cure at the same rate throughout ( as far as your concerned, it does alter from that a bit)

Answer 5

ask your concrete supplier to give you a mix design for a 3000 psi 5 or 6 sack mix 3/4" rock, use a vibrator when pouring to consolidate, depending on the size of your slab you may need to trowel in control joints to reduce cracking, use rebar and not wire mesh #4 or #5 bars at 12" on center each direction and spray a good curing compound and keep damp to slow down the evaporation of moisture. depending on the temp. you can put a load on it in a couple days.

Answer 6

Drying is different from curing.

The cure is a chemical process where the concrete

slowly combines with the water in the mix.

(Full strength is not reached for weeks.)

For a high strength cure, you want it to stay moist.

The curing process is exothermic, so the center will

actually cure faster, (keep it moist so it doesnt dry out).

Answer 7

No the surface will dry quicker, did you place rebar to support your slab, if not make sure it is at least three inches thick.  The center may take a day or so to completly hardin but years to cure. you can also spray it with a little water to help hardin the slab