Did you know that concrete is held together by tiny crystals that bind the Portland cement and the sand and gravel? It is similar to when kids grow sugar crystals or more fancy crystals in science class.
It takes time and it takes the right temperature to make an optimum crystal.
Think of diamonds and you have an idea of just how much time and how much heat and pressure it takes to form the world's strongest crystal.
Fortunately for a place like Fairfield precast concrete it does not take that kind of time to make their precast concrete forms.
The curing of concrete is a reaction between the Portland cement and water.
That is why you see people spraying down a cement slab.
It needs to be wet to cure.
Of course, the mix below the surface where the water may not soak down to needs to be wet enough to cure also.
The strength of the concrete is determined by the growth of the crystals.
If they don't grow enough then the concrete isn't going to have the necessary strength that you were looking for.
If you are relying on utility structures to withstand the variety of climate changes and weather, you are relying on the strength of those crystals to maintain the integrity of the structure through anything Mother Nature throws at it.
The crystal growth needs water and if there isn't enough of it, the crystals won't grow.
Sort of like growing plants isn't it? With the right amount of water the crystals grow and form bonds around the sand and gravel by creating fingers of crystals that intertwine around the sand and gravel.
When making precast concrete products you want this to happen as quickly as possible to get your products to the market but not so quickly that the products aren't made correctly.
One of the other factors in curing concrete is the temperature.
If it's too cold the crystals won't grow.
If it's too hot, they grow too quickly and the heat given off can lead to cracking.