A curing schedule lists what happens each day from the pour: start curing as soon as the surface won't mark, strike side forms at about 24 hours, keep the concrete wet every day of the curing period (7 days for normal cement), strike soffits when strength allows, and test cubes at 7 and 28 days.
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Soffit striking day from EN 1992-1-1 strength gain (class N, 20 °C average): 70% at day 5
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How the Schedule Is Built
Day 0 pour, finish, start curingSide forms after the hours you set (often 24 h)Days 1 … N re-wet or inspect, according to the methodSoffit striking day the strength model reaches your striking %Day N end curing; remove covers graduallyDays 7 and 28 test specimens
Worked Example
Wet hessian, class N cement, 20 °C, 7-day curing, 3 re-wetting rounds a day, side forms at 24 h, soffits at 70%, poured Monday 2 November 2026:
Day
Date
Action
0
Mon 2 Nov
Pour, finish, start wet hessian
1
Tue 3 Nov
Strike side forms; re-wet 3×
2–4
Wed–Fri
Re-wet 3× a day
5
Sat 7 Nov
Soffit striking at ~70% if the engineer agrees
7
Mon 9 Nov
End of curing; 7-day cube tests
28
Mon 30 Nov
28-day cube tests
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should concrete be watered during curing?
Often enough that the surface never dries, typically several times a day under wet hessian, more in hot, dry or windy weather. Ponding and sheeting need less frequent attention.
When should curing start?
As soon as the surface can take it without damage, usually right after finishing, once the bleed water has gone. Curing compound is sprayed at that point too.
Can I stop curing early if the concrete looks hard?
No. Surface hardness is not a sign of adequate curing. Stopping early weakens and dusts the surface and increases cracking.
References
ACI 308.1 (Specification for Curing Concrete); EN 1992-1-1 strength development
