EFFECT OF CURING CONDITIONS ON STRENGTH, POROSITY, ABSORPTIVITY, AND SHRINKAGE OF CONCRETE IN HOT AND DRY CLIMATE

This study is concerned with the effect of intermittent wet and dry curing methods on the strength, modulus of elasticity, porosity, absorptivity, and shrinkage of the concrete. The study was carried out in field conditions that are characterized by hot air temperature, low relative humidity, large diurnal variations, direct solar radiation, and relatively high wind speed. It was found that intermittent wet curing methods are suitable in the aforesaid severe conditions with regard the strength and the durability of the concrete. However, as far as the rate of shrinkage after stopping the curing process is concerned, neither the intermittent wet curing nor the dry methods are an acceptable technique of curing. Therefore, other methods to reduce the rate of shrinkage were advised. Further, and based on the results of this study, some recommendations about using the design guidelines that were formulated on the basis of experimental results carried out in relatively cold and humid climate conditions were discussed.