Method for electronic temperature controlled curing of concrete and accelerating concrete maturity or equivalent age of concrete structures and objects
First Claim
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1. A method of curing concrete comprising:
- (a) providing a quantity of curing concrete having a plurality of surfaces, the surfaces having the largest surface area comprising the primary surfaces thereof;
(b) covering all primary surfaces of a quantity of curing concrete with an insulating material such that the insulating material is in thermal contact with the quantity of curing concrete whereby at least a portion of the heat of hydration and the moisture of the quantity of curing concrete is retained therein;
(c) continuously detecting the temperature of the quantity of curing concrete;
(d) continuously comparing the detected temperature to a predetermined temperature profile, wherein the predetermined temperature profile varies temperature as a function of time; and
(e) selectively adding heat to the quantity of curing concrete in response to step (d) when the detected temperature is lower than the predetermined temperature profile, whereby the temperature of the quantity of curing concrete follows the predetermined temperature profile for at least the first 24 hours of the concrete curing process and wherein a heating element for selectively providing heat to the quantity of curing concrete is disposed between the quantity of curing concrete and at least a portion of the insulating material.
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Abstract
The invention comprises a method of forming a concrete structure or object. The method comprises detecting the temperature of a quantity of curing concrete and selectively adding heat to the curing concrete, so that the temperature of the curing concrete follows a predetermined temperature profile during at least a portion of the concrete curing process. Apparatus for performing the method is also disclosed.
159 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method of curing concrete comprising:
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(a) providing a quantity of curing concrete having a plurality of surfaces, the surfaces having the largest surface area comprising the primary surfaces thereof; (b) covering all primary surfaces of a quantity of curing concrete with an insulating material such that the insulating material is in thermal contact with the quantity of curing concrete whereby at least a portion of the heat of hydration and the moisture of the quantity of curing concrete is retained therein; (c) continuously detecting the temperature of the quantity of curing concrete; (d) continuously comparing the detected temperature to a predetermined temperature profile, wherein the predetermined temperature profile varies temperature as a function of time; and (e) selectively adding heat to the quantity of curing concrete in response to step (d) when the detected temperature is lower than the predetermined temperature profile, whereby the temperature of the quantity of curing concrete follows the predetermined temperature profile for at least the first 24 hours of the concrete curing process and wherein a heating element for selectively providing heat to the quantity of curing concrete is disposed between the quantity of curing concrete and at least a portion of the insulating material. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 25)
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17. A method of curing concrete comprising:
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(a) placing a quantity of plastic concrete in an elevated insulated concrete form or an elevated insulated concrete mold whereby at least a portion of the heat of hydration and at least a portion of the moisture of the quantity of plastic concrete is retained therein and wherein at least a portion of the insulated concrete form or insulated concrete mold is removable; (b) continuously detecting the temperature of the quantity of plastic concrete; (c) continuously comparing the detected temperature to a predetermined temperature profile, wherein the predetermined temperature profile varies temperature as a function of time; and (d) selectively adding heat to the quantity of plastic concrete in response to step (c) when the detected temperature is lower than the predetermined temperature profile, whereby the temperature of the quantity of plastic concrete follows the predetermined temperature profile for at least the first approximately 24 hours of the concrete curing process and wherein a heating element for selectively providing heat to the quantity of curing concrete is not in direct physical contact with the quantity of curing concrete. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26)
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Specification