Concrete drying time

   / Concrete drying time #1  

RobA

Platinum Member
Joined
Feb 27, 2005
Messages
566
Location
Chester County, SE PA
Tractor
Kubota L5030 HST
I had concrete ramps poured for my barn. I believe they are 5" thick. How long before I can drive something like an ATV over them? How about a tractor?
 
   / Concrete drying time #2  
I assume these ramps are poured on the ground and not structural concrete "planks" or "beams".

Then ATV probably within a couple days and another one at most for the tractor.
 
   / Concrete drying time #5  
Did you put in any rebar? If so 7 days is plenty cuz if they crack they will not separate so no big deal. Concrete tends to crack eventually outside anyway, but if w.o rebar I would wait as long as you can stand it [up to a month] to give it a chance to reach a good proportion of its ultimate strength. I have broken up parts of a concrete pouring over time as needed. There is no comparison between 1wk and 1mo concrete.
larry
 
   / Concrete drying time #6  
The atv can drive over in 2-3 days. With the tractor, I would wait a week. Both estimates are on the conservative side and your pours are relatively thick at 5".
 
   / Concrete drying time #7  
Concrete does not dry, it cures. Setting is a chemical reaction that requires water to proceed. If you let it dry out, the curing will stop at whatever point it has reached.

Curing rate depends on temperature, but it will normally reach 50% of final strength in a week, and 90% of final strength in 21 days. Moist curing for 28 days will double the final strength of concrete vs. leaving it unprotected in air.
 
   / Concrete drying time #8  
Concrete does not dry, it cures. [Moist curing for 28 days will double the final strength of concrete vs. leaving it unprotected in air.]
Good. .. forgot to mention that.
 
   / Concrete drying time #10  
Moist curing for 28 days will double the final strength of concrete vs. leaving it unprotected in air.

what is your source of this information...?

the compressive strength of concrete is relative to the water/cement (portland) ratio...keeping it wet will enhance the curing but it will not likely "double the strength"...
 

Tractor & Equipment Auctions

2007 Toyota Camry LE (A47307)
2007 Toyota Camry...
2001 Freightliner FL112 5 Axle Dump (A43476)
2001 Freightliner...
Wolverine Hydraulic Tiller Skid Steer Mount (A47371)
Wolverine...
2015 John Deere 5085M (A47307)
2015 John Deere...
2015 Ram 1500 4x4 Crew Cab Pickup Truck (A46684)
2015 Ram 1500 4x4...
2017 Bobcat E85 Midi Excavator (A46683)
2017 Bobcat E85...
 
Top