Hydration Modeling for Improved Curing Process Prediction in Concrete Construction

Abstract

The execution of the typical processing steps brushing, cutting and grinding on a concrete road construction site depends on defined mechanical properties of the concrete. For example, to get a nonslip and low noise surface the processing has to be performed at a time not too early, not too late, where the concrete has suitable strength. Temperature can be used as a simple guideline for determining the concrete’s curing degree. Thus, a temperature-based curing model can support the manufacturer in determining the correct time slot for road post-processing. In this work a model for predicting the heat profile and thus the degree of hydration is presented. The model complexity of a distributed model commonly used in literature is reduced. The model is validated based on an extensive experimental program. Since concrete properties vary depending on the used recipe, the model parameters need to be adapted for every concrete. Thus, a parameter optimization problem is set up and solved. The identification procedure is cross-validated and the optimal parameters are presented. Finally, the results of the model are discussed.