ACI provides guidelines as suggestions or recommendations on the water content to provide the desired compressive strength. Never add more water than what is necessary to provide the desired workability. More water equals lowered strength.
Admixtures enable concrete producers and placers to easily mix, place and/or finish the concrete in multiple environments and conditions. Admixtures also provide a way to produce higher-quality concrete without increasing the cementitious content of the concrete mixture, which keeps the cost of the concrete down.
Curing is one of the most important steps in protecting your concrete and ensuring a long service life. The use of sprinklers, wet burlap and curing agents allow the concrete to gain structural integrity (strength) while protecting it from premature surface drying. Utilizing curing compounds and using sealing agents are the best ways to keep the concrete surface protected from the environment and ambient conditions, which would otherwise deteriorate the concrete surface.