Effect of Curing Methods on Early Cracking for Joint Concrete Pavement

Based on HIPERPAV software, six curing methods were brought to bear on concrete pavement surface, such as liquid curing agent, PE film, and burlap. Then, the effect of curing methods on development regularity of flexural-tensile strength and maximum stress within 72 h was determined for its curing problems in early stages. The results showed that the stress strength ratio of cement concrete slab reached maximum after 13 h from paving. In this case, cement hydration was a key factor for stress increasing dramatically. Then, the stress strength ratio changes coincide with ambient temperature changes because cement hydration did not play the leading role. The interval 13–24 h after paving was a high risk period because of early cracking on the surface. In this period, hydration heat increased sharply. If ambient temperature was too high, the pavement would face the risk of cracking because maximum stress exceeded flexural-tensile strength at any time. To reduce the risk of early cracking, the curing method without supplement water after covering should be avoided. Meanwhile, supplement water to cover in a timely manner and cover PE film at the same time was the priority curing method, if water was sufficient.