The prediction of compressive strength for recycled coarse aggregate concrete in cold region

Abstract

Concrete in cold environments may suffer from frost damage, which effects the hydration reaction and early strength development of cement. This study aims to test the early strength development of recycled coarse aggregate concrete in cold region using an assisted heating method. Based on Nurse-Saul and Hansen-Pedersen maturity calculation methods, the early strength of recycled and natural coarse aggregate concrete is fitted and predicted using exponential and logarithmic type functions. The results showed that active heating and thermal insulation can ensure early concrete hydration. The temperature of recycled coarse aggregate concrete was slightly higher than that of natural concrete, while its strength was slightly lower. The early strength development of natural and recycled coarse aggregate concrete correlated more with the logarithmic type function. The prediction error of natural and recycled coarse aggregate concrete is basically within 10% for the first 14 days of compressive strength.