Enhancing Performance with Internally Cured Concrete (EPIC2)
As part of the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Every Day Counts Initiative, a program has been developed to promote internal curing in concrete. The program, titled Enhancing Performance with Internally Cured Concrete (EPIC2), was created to demonstrate technologies that help improve the durability and longevity of infrastructure.
FHWA describes internal curing as a “material-level technology that can be employed in any concrete mixture with an adjustment to mixture proportions. The most widely used approach includes pre-wetted lightweight aggregates, which have a high-absorption capacity and are naturally compatible with common concrete production practices. A portion of the normal-weight fine aggregate is replaced with a pre-wetted lightweight fine aggregate. The saturated, porous fine aggregates in the concrete mixture distribute the curing water throughout the concrete body. As the concrete loses water naturally due to continued hydration or environmental exposure, water is pulled out of the lightweight aggregate and creates internal curing. This allows cementitious microstructure pores to be refilled before they become empty, avoiding the negative pore pressures that cause concrete to shrink.”
Peer-to-Peer Exchange: Sharing Internal Curing Best Practices
To give State Departments of Transportation (DOT) an opportunity to learn about internal curing, a Peer-to-Peer Exchange was conducted on May 29-30, 2024, in Albany, N.Y. The group of 74 attendees included 29 different State DOTs, Federal Highway Administration officials, and representatives from the lightweight aggregate, ready-mixed concrete, and concrete contracting industries. The program provided a forum for State DOT representatives to share their experiences with internal curing and engage in open discussions about any concerns or questions they had.
The exchange featured a full day of presentations and best practices, followed by a half-day of demonstrations on testing, producing, and placing internally cured concrete. Attendees gained insights into how to apply internal curing in infrastructure projects and learned about the latest advancements in testing and production techniques.
Impact of the Program
The conference was a great success, with valuable information exchanged between participants. Representatives returned with new knowledge to share with colleagues, helping to develop programs in their respective states that will improve the concrete used in infrastructure. This knowledge will ultimately enhance the life span and sustainability of critical components within the transportation system, contributing to more durable and resilient infrastructure nationwide.
