Summary
Internal curing of concrete has been the subject of many laboratory investigations over the last two decades. Internally cured concrete has been used successfully in full-scale bridge decks and in concrete for CRCP, jointed plain pavement, and pavement patching projects. Additional field trials are underway to examine the potential use of internally cured concrete in a variety of paving applications. Field experience to date has shown that, in general, internally cured concrete has similar workability, similar strength and mechanical property development, reduced stress development and cracking, and similar or improved durability when compared with conventional concrete. Specific improvements identified include reduced shrinkage, resulting in fewer and tighter cracks, improved fatigue resistance, and reduced slab curling/warping. Performance models, generated using the Pavement ME Design program, indicate that the performance of pavements made with internal curing should be superior to conventional concrete pavements, resulting in improved life-cycle cost.