Evaluation of Compressive Strength of UHPC Cured in A Winter Low-temperature

Abstract

Deteriorating concrete quality is a typical problem reported in a low-temperature environment in winter. Therefore, efforts to evaluate and secure the quality of concrete are always carried out. In this study, the researchers primarily focused on developing curing methods and improving the quality of mixing materials, including chemical admixture, to secure compressive strength of concrete. The study investigated the compressive strength of concrete according to its age and observed that the compressive strength increases under the experimental conditions without any additional protection measures for the winter season. The compressive strength of the cured concrete was measured at 0 and -15 ℃ for 100 MPa Ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC). Additionally, the property of compressive strength was compared with that of UHPC, which suffered damage due to the cold, went through a certain recovery period at room temperature. Consequently, it was confirmed that UHPC, damaged from the cold weather, achieved the specific compressive strength after 84 days. The findings from this study can enhance further understanding of the characteristics of UHPC in winter environments and contribute to establishing a construction plan for withstanding the winter seasons.