Effect of curing conditions on strength and durability of high-performance concrete

Abstract

This paper describes the effects of variable curing temperatures on compressive strength and sulfate resistance of high-strength, high-performance concrete. Two different concrete mixtures were proportioned to attain the 56-day compressive strength of about 70 MPa upon moist-curing. One mixture contained more quantity of ASTM Class C y ash than the other one. For each mixture, one set of specimens was cured in a standard moist-curing room at 23°C and 100% relative humidity; another set of specimens was sealed in plastic bags and cured in an elevated, Variable-Temperature Curing Environment (VTCE). The average temperature of the VTCE oscillated between about 30°C and 41°C once per day. This study revealed that the VTCE-cured concrete did not significantly exhibit different compressive strength or ability to resist sulfates attack compared to the standard moist-cured specimens. Thus, it was concluded, based on the results of this research, that additional effort to stabilize higher curing-temperatures would be necessary for field-cured concrete.