In this paper, the effects of steam curing conditions on concrete properties and microstructural characteristics are reviewed, and technical approaches such as appropriate raw material compositions and curing regimes are explored. Moreover, the environmental effects of precast concrete are evaluated. The main conclusion is that steam curing can improve the early strength of concrete, but thermal damage, shrinkage cracking, delayed ettringite formation (DEF), and other factors cause the later strength to increase more slowly or even deteriorate. Accordingly, it is necessary to undertake methods for improvement: (1) Adopt a lot of high-activity mineral admixture + a few low-activity mineral admixture combinations to ensure that the early strength of concrete meets the standard while allowing the subsequent development of concrete hydration to ensure durability. (2) Control the precuring time and temperature gradient of the concrete to allow the initial structure of the concrete to form. (3) Use effective secondary curing, such as soaking in an aqueous solution of limestone, in addition to standard curing to further improve the compactness of concrete. Moreover, the replacement of cement with less than 30% mineral admixtures in steam-cured concrete should be promoted to alleviate the environmental hazards caused by excessive CO2 emissions.
Keywords: microstructure; performance evolution; precast concrete; steam curing.