Placing

No special equipment or techniques are needed for the proper placement of shrinkage-compensating concrete. It is actually better for pumping than regular portland cement concrete, because is has more cohesiveness (less tendency to segregate). If it is to be in contact with an absorptive surface, that surface should be soaked with water prior to placing. This will prevent the loss of water needed to activate ettringite formation. At the time of placement, the concrete should not exceed 90 degrees and concrete above 85 degrees should not be mixed more than one hour. These high temperatures will also cause an increase in water loss. In a hot, dry environment, a heavy application of water should be avoided until the concrete has taken its final set, and a fog or fine spray should be applied instead. Avoid at all cost any delays in placing the concrete, because they will cause over mixing and slump loss, both of which will cause a decrease in the expansion of the cement.

Finishing

Shrinkage-compensating concrete’s cohesiveness and extremely low bleeding give it excellent finishing qualities. The question of, "When to begin finishing?" is where problems occur. Its low bleeding may cause finishers to start too soon, but in hot, dry climates it will usually set faster.

Curing

Curing should begin immediately after the final finish and continue for at least seven days. The method of wetting burlap with a sprinkler system is preferred, because it provides the most additional moisture to the concrete surface. If a liquid curing membrane is to be used, it should be applied rapidly with power spray equipment in two directions immediately after finishing. If formwork must be removed before seven days, the newly exposed faces must also be cured.