Drying in the context of cement and concrete refers to the loss of moisture from the material, which is a critical part of the curing process but can also lead to significant changes in the material’s properties over time. The drying process impacts the hydration of cement, as water is not only a key ingredient in the chemical reactions that form the hardened matrix but also affects the volume and internal stress states of concrete. As concrete dries, it can undergo shrinkage, which leads to stress development within the concrete structure, potentially causing cracking and other forms of structural weakness.