Prediction of concrete strength considering thermal damage using a modified strength-maturity model

Abstract

The maturity method is widely used to estimate early-age concrete strength. However, the traditional maturity models exhibit limited predictive capability for late concrete strength under thermal curing conditions due to the influence of the “crossover effect”. This study developed a curing scheme for Standard Portland cement concrete in the absence of supplementary cementitious materials at temperatures ranging from 5 °C to 50 °C and analyzed the temperature variations inside thermally cured concrete specimens. The findings reveal that an increase in curing temperature and time between 30 °C and 50 °C and 8 and 72 h respectively led to an increase in the early strength and a decrease in the late strength of concrete, due to the “crossover effect”. Additionally, a linear relationship was found between curing temperature and the late strength reduction coefficient. Utilizing this relationship, a modified maturity model that considers the “crossover effect” was proposed, improving the accuracy of predicting concrete strength under thermal curing conditions (with a prediction error of less than 10%). The research outcomes are of significant guiding significance for winter construction by ensuring the quality of concrete, reducing construction accidents, and improving construction efficiency.