Part 1 — General
1.1 Section Includes
A.Concrete curing materials and methods.
B.This section does not apply to cast -in-place Portland Cement Concrete Pavement and Lean Concrete Base Course.
C.This section does not apply to dry cast precast concrete members, except for precast concrete box and three- sided culvert structures.
1.2 Related Sections
A.Section 03055: Portland Cement Concrete
B.Section 03310: Structural Concrete
1.3 References
A.ASTM C 309: Liquid Membrane- Forming Compounds for Curing Concrete
B.ASTM C 1315: Liquid Membrane- Forming Compounds Having Special Properties for Curing and Sealing Concrete
C.UDOT Quality Management Plans
1.4 DEFINITIONS Not Used
1.5 Submittals
A.Manufacturer’s product data sheets and recommended installation instructions.
Part 2 — Products
2.1 Curing Compound
A.Refer to this Section, Part 3, Tables 1 and 2.
B.Limit Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) content to 350 grams / liter maximum.
Part 3 — Execution
3.1 Curing Measures
A.Prevent drying of exposed concrete surfaces after plac ing concrete and until applying the selected curing method.
1.Keep exposed concrete surfaces moist by fogging if the surfaces begin to dry before the selected cur ing method can be applied.
B.Cure newly placed concrete to prevent loss of water by one or more of the following methods according to this Section.
1.Forms -in-Place Method (FIPM)
a.Cure formed surfaces of concrete by retaining the forms in place without loosening for the specified curing period.
b.Complete the cure using one of the methods specified for the element when forms are removed before completing the specified curing period.
2.Water Method (WM)
a.Keep concrete surfaces continuously wet by ponding, spraying, or covering with materials that are continuously and thoroughly wet. 1) Acceptable materials for covering concrete surfaces include cotton mats, multiple layers of burlap, or other materials that retain water . 2) Secure the cover materials to prevent wind or other forces from removing them. 3) Keep the cover materials saturated throughout the curing period.
b.Do not erode or damage the finish.
c.Prevent excess water from impacting traffic on in -service roadways.
3.Liquid Membrane- Curing Compound Method (LMCCM)
a.Thoroughly s eal exposed concrete surfaces with a liquid membrane -curing compound immediately after finishing operations are completed for exposed concrete surfaces or immediately after forms are removed and necessary patching is complete when forms are removed before the end of the curing period.
b.Apply liquid membrane- curing compound uniformly at the rates specified in Tables 1 and 2.
c.Immediately repair damage to the curing compound film during the specified curing period by re -spraying.
4.Waterproof Cover Method (WCM)
a.Exposed concrete surfaces must be wet before installing cover.
b.Cover exposed concrete surfaces with a material that prevents moisture loss from the concrete. 1) Do not use materials that have lost their waterproof qualities. 2) Secure cover to prevent displacement by wind.
c.Use this method only when the covering can be secured adequately to prevent moisture loss.
d.Maintain the air temperature beneath the cover at not less than 50 degrees F. 1) The use of insulated blankets is permitted.
5.Steam or Radiant -Heat Method (SRHM)
a.Use only for precast concrete members manufactured in prequalified plants.
b.Use a complete steam or radiant heat curing system that includ es 24 hour temperature control and monitoring devices. 1) Use temperature recording devices as necessary to verify that temperatures are uniform throughout the enclosure and within the limits specified.
c.Steam Heat Curing System 1) Use a suitable enclosure to contain live steam and minimize moisture and heat losses. 2) Use low- pressure and saturated steam. 3) Maintain 90 to 100 percent relative humidity in the curing enclosure. 4) Do not apply heat directly on the concrete or cause localized high temperatures.
d.Radiant Heat Curing System 1) Apply heat by means of pipes circulating steam, hot oil, or hot water, or by electric heating elements. 2) Use a suitable enclosure to contain the heat. 3) Minimize moisture loss by covering exposed concrete surfaces with plastic sheeting.
e.Waiting Period 1) Do not apply the initial application of heat before the initial set of the concrete except to maintain the minimum temperature within the curing enclosure. 2) Maintain the temperature within the curing enclosure at not less than 50 degrees F. a) Live steam or radiant heat may be used to maintain the curing enclosure at the proper minimum temperature. b) Keep the concrete wet during this period.
f.Curing Period 1) Increase the temperature within the concrete during the initial application of heat at an average rate not to exceed 40 degrees F per hour until the curing temperature is reached. 2) Do not exceed a concrete temperature of 160 degrees F when applying heat. 3) Maintain the concrete temperature at between 50 degrees F and 160 degrees F. 4) Maintain the curing temperature until the concrete achieves the specified strength for terminating the curing. 5) Decrease the concrete temperature at a rate not to exceed 40 degrees F per hour until reaching a temperature of not more than 20 degrees F above the air temperature to which the concrete will be exposed when discontinuing heat .
g.Transfer the stressing force to the concrete immediately after discontinuing steam curing or radiant heat curing for prestressed members.
C.Prevent exposed concrete surfaces from drying when transitioning between curing methods.
D.Fogging
1.Use fogging when necessary to prevent drying of exposed concrete surfaces.
2.Use fogging equipment with compressed air misters that atomize the water and produce a very fine mist and not a spray.
a.Use equipment that allows for adjusting the rate of fogging depending on the conditions that are present.
b.Maintain misters at least 5 ft above the concrete surface and aimed in a direction not lower than horizontal.
c.Do not use fogging to apply excess water to the concrete surface to aid finishing.
d.Do not affect the water/cement ratio of the concrete.
e.Discontinue fogging when a fine coating of water or sheen is visible on the concrete surface.
3.Do not damage the concrete surface.
E.Follow the hot and cold weather limitations according to Section 03055.
3.2 Curing Compound Application
A.Comply with the following when applying liquid membrane- curing compound to structural elements in bridges, box culverts, headwalls, retaining walls, concrete drainage structures, and concrete slope protection.
1.Do not use curing compounds on surfaces that require a rubbed finish or on surfaces of construction joints against which new concrete will be cast , unless approved.
a.Completely r emove the curing compound before casting new concrete against the surface when curing compound is allowed .
2.Do not use curing compounds on architectural surfaces that require a concrete coating or penetrating concrete sealer and where removal will diminish the texture.
B.Preparation
1.Verify concrete surfaces are ready for curing.
a.Complete all patching and surface finishing before applying curing compound.
2.Prepare concrete surfaces and apply curing compound according to product manufacturer’s recommendations. Refer to Tables 1 and 2 for application rates.
3.Keep surfaces moist until the curing compound is applied.
3.3 Cure Cast -In-Place Concrete
A.Cure all formed surfaces using the FIPM.
B.Cure exposed surfaces of newly placed cast -in-place concrete according to the curing methods and curing periods in Table 1.
1.Determine the concrete compressive strength using field cured cylinders cured the same as the concrete member when compressive strength is used to determine the curing period. The curing period is the specified number of consecutive days when compressive strength is not used to determine the curing period. Table 1 Cast-in-Place Concrete Curing Requirements Element Curing Methods for Exposed Surfaces 1 Curing Period 2 Curing Compound Type Application Rate Bridge Decks and Approach Slabs • LMCC M and WM 14 days ASTM C309, Type I D, Class A Manufacturer’s recommended rate Closure Pours in Bridge Decks and Approach Slabs • LMCC M and WM 7 days and f′c 3 ASTM C309, Type I D, Class A Manufacturer’s recommended rate Other Bridge Elements (superstructure, substructure, and foundation elements) • LMCCM or • WM or • WCM 0.70 f′c or 7 days 3 ASTM C309, Type I D, Class A 100 ft2/gal Box Culverts (including wingwalls, and aprons), Headwalls, Retaining Walls, Concrete Drainage Structures, Sign Structure Foundations • LMCCM or • WM or • WCM 0.70 f′c or 7 days ASTM C309, Type I D, Class A 100 ft2/gal Concrete barrier • LMCC M or • WM or • WCM 0.70 f′c or 7 days ASTM C309, Type I D, Class A or ASTM C1315, Type 1, Class A 4 100 ft2/gal Curbs, gutters, flatwork, sidewalks, driveways, concrete slope protection, and other concrete items not specified • LMCC M 7 days ASTM C309, Type I D, Class A 100 ft2/gal Notes : 1 Use FIPM for all formed surfaces. Specified c uring methods apply to exposed concrete surfaces and any formed surfaces where the forms are removed before the curing period ends . 2 f’c = specified 28 day minimum compressive strength. 3 The curing period for bridge elements that use high early strength concrete may be reduced to the greater of 3 days and the time required to achieve the specified 28 day minimum compressive strength. (Refer to Section 03310 for when the use of high early strength concrete is permitted.) 4 Use a curing compound meeting ASTM C309 when removal is required.
C.Bridge Decks and Approach Slabs
1.Cure the exposed surfaces of newly placed concrete bridge decks and approach slabs for the specified curing period by a combination of the liquid membrane -curing compound method and the water method.
2.Apply membrane- curing compound so that no portion of the deck or approach slab is exposed to the atmosphere for more than 20 minutes after the tining or finishing operation.
a.Use a w ork bridge t hat follows immediately after the finishing machine to allow application of the curing compound while the concrete is still plastic.
3.Cover the entire exposed surface of bridge decks, approach slabs, curbs, and sidewalks as soon as the concrete is sufficient ly set to support the materials . Refer to this Section, A rticle 3.1 for water method requirements.
D.Concrete Barrier 1. Broom clean the formed surfaces of the barrier after removing forms .
2.Apply curing compound to exposed concrete surfaces immediately after finishing operations are complete d.
3.4 Cure Precast Concrete
A.Cure all formed surfaces using the FIPM.
B.Cure exposed surfaces of newly placed precast concrete according to the curing methods and curing periods in Table 2.
1.Determine the concrete compressive strength using field cured cylinders cured the same as the concrete member when compressive strength is used to determine the curing period. The curing period is the specified number of consecutive days when compressive strength is not used to determine the curing period. Table 2 Precast Concrete Curing Requirements Element Curing Methods for Exposed Surfaces 1 Curing Period 2 Curing Compound Type Application Rate Precast Concrete Deck Panels (full depth) , Precast Approach Slabs, (includes p arapets when cast concurrent with precast deck and approach slab panels ) • LMCC M and WM 14 days ASTM C309, Type I D, Class A Manufacturer’s recommended rate Precast Substructure Elements , Partial Depth Precast Deck Panels (non-prestressed) • WM or • SRHM 0.7 f′c or 7 days Not used Not used Prestressed Concrete Members (includes all pretensioned concrete members where pretensioning is required in the plans) • SRHM or • WM or • WCM Specified release strength (f’ci) Not used Not used Precast Noise Walls, Precast Retaining/ Noise Walls, MSE Retaining Wall Panels • SRHM or • WM or • WCM 0.70 f′c or 7 days Not used Not used Precast Box Culvert Structures and Precast Three- Sided Culvert Structures (wet cast and dry cast) • SRHM or • WM or • WCM • LMCCM 0.70 f′c or 7 days ASTM C309, Type I D, Class A 100 ft2/gal Wet Cast Concrete Drainage Structures (such as m anholes, grade rings, catch basin grade sections, pipe end sections, precast inlets and boxes) • SRHM or • WM or • WCM • LMCCM 0.50 f′c or 7 days ASTM C309, Type I D, Class A 100 ft2/gal Modular Block (wet cast) • WM or • WCM or • LMCCM 0.70 fꞌc or 7 days ASTM C309, Type I D, Class A 100 ft2/gal Table 2 (Continued) Precast Concrete Curing Requirements Element Curing Methods for Exposed Surfaces 1 Curing Period 2 Curing Compound Type Application Rate Concrete Barrier • LMCC M 7 days and until certified according to QMP 3 ASTM C1315, Type 1, Class A 100 ft2/gal PCC Pavement Panels • LMCCM and WM 14 days ASTM C309, Type I D, Class A Manufacturer’s recommended rate Table 2 Notes : 1 Use FIPM for all formed surfaces. Specified curing methods apply to exposed concrete surfaces and any formed surfaces where the forms are removed before the curing period ends. 2 f’c = specified 28 day minimum compressive strength. 3 QMP = UDOT Quality Management Plan: Precast -Prestressed Concrete Structures.
C.Precast Concrete Deck Panels (full depth) , and Precast Approach Slabs
1.Refer to this Section, A rticle 3.3 , paragraph C.
D.Precast Concrete Barrier
1.Broom clean the formed surfaces of the barrier after removing forms .
2.Apply curing compound to exposed concrete surfaces immediately after finishing operations are completed.
Source: Utah Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction, 2026 Edition. Pages 1062–1070 of 1,331.