Effect of curing on concrete in hot exposure conditions

A project was undertaken to improve the quality and performance of concrete structures in the hot weather and severe environment of Kuwait. This paper presents two-year results of specimens exposed to hot inland conditions after 1, 3 and 7 days of initial curing. The results suggest that an initial 7 day curing of both lightweight and normal-weight concrete specimens exposed to hot outdoor conditions enhances considerably their strength and reduces water penetration and carbonation. For the total lightweight concrete tested, both the depth of water penetration and the carbonation depth were found to be higher than in the equivalent-strength normal-weight concrete after 2 years of exposure to hot outdoor conditions.