Concrete curing - for car parks
Construction project managers come across varied issues when it comes to concrete construction on multi-story car parks.
Curing the concrete in particular can be pressuring for the site team - each issue that comes up incurs more downtime and expenses on the project.
Two main challenges for the project manager are:
Curing the slab – water access.
When water access is limited onsite, some standard curing methods (such as water curing) are not so do-able as ground-level construction.
Water curing comes with a constant need to keep the slab moist - this is hard to keep up with, in terms of labour.
Laying blanket coverings to keep the water from evaporating is a step ahead - this requires less attention, but it can take a while to lay blankets in a large area, and again requires a substantial amount of water at the start.
Disrupting tradies onsite
Site teams will welcome any chance to avoid curing compounds that stay on the surface; for these treatments, care must be taken by all trades not to enter the area.
If anyone walks on the treated slab, they'll track the substance on to other areas of the site - this may leave a milky-white residue that can only be ground off.
Compatibility and final appearance.
Some compounds dry leaving a coloured or white surface, sometimes blotchy across the slab, and crazing as it goes hard.
If visual appearance of the concrete is important to the project, these films should be removed after curing.
Film-forming curing and hardening compounds typically require a grind for removal – certain compounds dissipate after 28 days, but even this can be too long.
Where further coatings are required, the paint may not be compatible with the curing or hardening agent; in this case, grinding to prep for line-marking or floor paints can multiply the time and cost involved.
With these factors in mind, the project manager of a car park construction is very conscious of the time factor, with most methods of curing concrete taking up a lot of space in the construction schedule.
And yet, the curing process mustn’t be left out – an effective cure has a massive advantage for long-term concrete durability. After just 7 days, the compressive strength of moist-cured (or 'cured') concrete is 1.5x that of concrete with no curing given – and the strength of cured concrete continues to increase, as well.
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Our recommendation
We recommend having a systemised approach that is a simple process to put into place.
Find a trusted contractor who you know can complete the job and do it with the project-specific challenges in mind - the other option is to find a subcontractor to do the works each time, or request the concreter to complete it as they go.
This is so that various unexpected issues such as access and compatibility don’t hinder the project – you should be able to turn to this contractor for any project, knowing they will be able to complete the works well as a result.
Unhindered supply is another factor to having a systemised approach – a sure supply of the necessary product will mean that risk of holdup is lower, and substandard products are not used as a stop-gap measure.
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It’s possible to have these two aspects dealt with in one hit – a single supplier and installer, who can be relied on to complete the job every time, and warrant their own product and installation.
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Staying as is…
If any of the earlier methods of concrete curing are your company’s go-to, maybe because of custom, ease-of-use, or price, it may seem unneeded to consider changing – this could result in a missed opportunity of time and cost-saving for the company and project.
Use a system of curing that involves flexibility with site-access, and easier, faster application – this in turn results in lower downtime both in the process, and in the construction of the building.
The idea of getting curing that is supplied, installed, and warranted by a single contractor was a serious suggestion - if you've seen MARKHAM 's INFRA-TECT system, you'll know that it is possible.
That particular system consists of simple application, and QA conducted by the team onsite and reviewed by the Operations team. If clean up is needed, it is a quick and effective process.
This method of curing and sealing – with a systemised contractor – has seen use on numerous multi-level car parks; a faster curing timeframe and flexibility is valued by the site manager and building team.
If the right system is used, you can even avoid the tyre squeal and slippage disliked by car park users and building tenants.
Got a specific project challenge? Get in touch!
Otherwise, the downloadable information on the INFRA-TECT system is available below – have a look through and consider using this time-saving system on your next project!
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