DIRECT ELECTRIC CURING OF CONCRETE

Direct electric curing (DEC) of concrete is a process by which alternating electric current is passed through the bulk of freshly poured Portland cement concrete to accelerate the curing process by means of direct ohmic heating. Electric field strengths, ranging approximately from 300 to 500 V/m, are required. This process leads to significantly higher preliminary (8 hours) crushing strengths. The ultimate (28 days) strength is under suspicion, however. The Authors have investigated the influence of the maximum temperature reached the energy inpUt (kWh/m3), and the rate of energy input (kW/m3) on the preliminary and ultimate strengths of the concrete. It is concluded that the DEC technique is technically and economically viable, and warrants further development.