Testing of Maturity Methods for Concrete Quality Cured Using Various Temperatures

Abstract

Maturity of concrete is a subject of utmost essence in all phases of a construction project that has to be dealt with care and accordingly important advantages may be gained with optimum predictions. In this study, concrete specimens at various strength classes were prepared to investigate on the effect of concrete class on two different maturity function given in literature. Procedures were handled in accordance with the prescriptions given in ASTM C 1074. Recommendations given in the same standard for standard cement type was discussed and convenience of two different maturity functions were analyzed. Important values obtained from mortar specimens tests were applied to maturity calculations of concrete mixtures and applicability of the methods were discussed. It is found that with the increasing concrete quality, for two extreme temperatures (8 and 25 ˚C) in this study, important deviations in the results are observed. Results obtained from specimens cured at 36 ˚C were found to be significantly higher than specimens cured at 8 ˚C at higher maturity levels. Datum temperature and Q-values data obtained from mortar mixtures were applied to concrete specimens and it may be asserted that concrete specimens demonstrated good correlation with the findings of both maturity functions. Generally, it may be expressed that maturity functions behave well under normal temperatures however applicability at extreme temperatures should be limited.