What does "curing" refer to in the context of concrete?

Curing refers to the process of maintaining adequate moisture, temperature, and time to allow the concrete to achieve its desired strength and durability after it has been placed. Concrete continues to gain strength for a significant period after it is cast, and moisture is crucial during this hydration process. Keeping the concrete properly cured helps prevent issues such as cracking, warping, or insufficient strength development, which can lead to structural failures.

During curing, methods such as covering the concrete with wet burlap, applying curing compounds, or maintaining a constant temperature are employed to ensure that moisture is retained effectively. This is essential for the hydration of cement particles, contributing to the concrete's overall performance.

While mixing, sealing, and finishing are important aspects of concrete work, they do not specifically relate to the chemical process that occurs in the concrete, which is regulated by the curing process. As such, maintaining adequate moisture is a fundamental part of achieving the optimal properties of hardened concrete.