The Influence of Curing on the Mechanical Performance of Fibre Reinforced Shotcrete

The importance of adequate curing to the hydration of cement and development of mechanical strength and durability in concrete is well known. Most measures of concrete matrix performance suffer if good curing practice is not maintained over the first few days or weeks after placement. However, the consequences of inadequate curing in concrete diminish with distance from a drying surface because of the protection provided by the surface layer to underlying material. Shotcrete is widely used to construct tunnel linings and swimming pools, and stabilise slopes and excavated ground. Since the fibres within Fibre Reinforced Shotcrete (FRS) are normally well distributed throughout the material it is valid to question how significant the effects of inadequate curing are on the post-crack performance of FRS. In this investigation, panels representing Fibre Reinforced Shotcrete have been exposed to various early-age storage conditions to assess the influence of curing conditions and mix parameters on post-crack performance.