Embedded Resistance as a Technique to Monitor Concrete Curing

The use of membrane-forming curing compounds on fresh concrete has been widely adopted by many States' Departments of Transportation as it is feasible where there is a deficiency of water, on sloping surfaces where curing with water is challenging, and in cases where large areas like pavement have to be cured. However, the evaluation of the curing compound application effectiveness is difficult because most of the evaluation test methods are not performed during the early age of the concrete. Moreover, the ASTM C156 standards test of water retention for the qualification of curing compounds has met criticism as the moisture retention is performed only on the mortar specimens, with a fixed application rate and curing condition. Therefore, in this study, the embedded resistance technique was used as a test replacement for the moisture retention test to assess concrete curing. The findings from this study showed that a correlation can be found between the moisture retention test and the embedded resistance test. Based on the findings, the embedded resistance test could be a suitable replacement for the moisture loss test, because the test is much simpler and quicker to be performed both in the lab and in the field.