ABSTRACT
A number of potential applications of microwave heating in the production, demolition, and recycling of concrete were discussed in the previous chapters. In Chapter 2, we observed that uniform microwave heating at a lower industrial, scientic, and medical (ISM) microwave frequency range may be used to accelerate the curing of concrete. However, we also observed that the uniformity of microwave heating is a key factor affecting curing quality. Differential heating of concrete components as a result of the selection of an inappropriate microwave frequency or inappropriate design of the microwave applicator may result in the development of undesirable thermal stresses within the cured concrete components. Such differential stresses can negatively affect the mechanical properties and durability of the concrete components being cured by contributing to the growth of microcracks present in concrete.
