Maturity functions for concretes made with various cements and admixtures

Abstract

The 'rate constant model' is proposed for estimating relative strength gain of concrete under different isothermal curing conditions. The key feature of the model is the relationship between curing temperature and the rate constant for relative strength development. The strength-versus-age relationships of seven concrete and mortar mixtures under three curing temperatures were studied. The rate constants were determined by using a hyperbolic strength-age function. A simple exponential function was found to describe the observed variations of the rate constant with curing temperature. It is shown that the relative strength development of concrete can be estimated from its temperature history using parameters determined experimentally from tests of isothermally cured mortar specimens.