Influence of curing procedures and porosity in the flexural resistance of concretes for paving

Resumen

Strength of high performance concrete submitted to several non-standard curing conditions were evaluated through bending tests on beams in order to allow comparisons among different curing procedures. The moist curing process resulted more effective than curing by chemical products leading to membrane formation over concrete surface; moreover, high strength concrete strength was increased when saturated whereas conventional concrete strength decreased. Such results were understood on the basis of concrete porosity with the support of air permeability tests. Results pointed out the huge behavior differences between both concretes when water fills the specimen pores. As recommendation, high strength concrete specimens shall not be tested in bending in saturated condition under the risk of overestimation of flexural resistance.