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Introduction
An important property of hardened concrete is the compressive strength. It is determined by a compression test on specially produced specimens (cubes or cylinders) or cores from the structure. The strength of concrete is very much dependent upon the hydration reaction just discussed. Water plays a critical role, particularly the amount used. The strength of concrete increases when less water is used to make concrete. The hydration reaction itself consumes a specific amount of water. Concrete is actually mixed with more water than is needed for the hydration reactions. This extra water is added to give concrete sufficient workability. Flowing concrete is desired to achieve proper filling and composition of the. The water not consumed in the hydration reaction will remain in the microstructure pore space. These pores make the concrete weaker due to the lack of strength-forming calcium silicate hydrate bonds. Some pores will remain no matter how well the concrete has been compacted.
Schematic drawings to demonstrate the relationship between the water/cement ratio and porosity. The empty space (porosity) is determined by the water to cement ratio. The relationship between the water to cement ratio and strength is shown in the graph that follows.
A plot of concrete strength as a function of the water to cement ratio . Low water to cement ratio leads to high strength but low workability. High water to cement ratio leads to low strength, but good workability. The main factors influencing compressive strength are the type of cement, the water/cement ratio and the degree of hydration, which is affected mainly by the curing time and method. The concrete strength therefore results from the strength of the hydrated cement, the strength of the aggregate, the bond between the two components and the curing. Guide values for the development of compressive strength are given in the table below.
Factors to consider Strength development of concrete (guide values) Cement Strengt h Class Continuo us Storage at +20 C + 5C +20 C + 5C +20 C + 5C 3d [N/mm2] 7d [N/mm2] 28 d [N/mm2] 90 d [N/mm2] 180 d [N/mm2]
32.5 N
Correlation between concrete compressive strength, standard strength of the cement and water/cement ratio
In high strength concrete the influence of the standard compressive strength of the cement becomes less important. fc,dry,cube: y Average 28-day concrete compressive strength of 150 mm sample cubes y Storage: 7 days in water, 21 days in air
Factors to consider High early strength concrete for precast structures High early strength is often very important for precast structures. Higher early strength means: y y y y y High early strength ready mixed concrete Earlier striking Faster turnaround of the formwork Earlier handling of the precast structures More economic use of cement Less heat energy, etc.
Diametrically opposed requirements are often involved here. On the one hand, a long working time is often required (for handling/installation), but on the other hand, early strength after 6 hours is required. These requirements can only be met by using modern superplasticizers, hardening accelerators and specially adapted mixes. For all ready mixed concrete applications where high initial strength is required, including: y Short striking times, especially in winter y Early load bearing situations (traffic areas/tunnel invert concrete) y Slipforming y Early finishing (e.g. granolithic concrete during the winter) y Reduced winter protection measures The strength development and consistence depend on the following parameters: y y y y y y y Products Base concrete Cement type and content Concrete, ambient and substrate temperatures Water/cement ratio Element dimensions Curing Aggregate composition Concrete admixtures 5 C h : N/mm2 CEM: 350 18 h: 0 24 h: 2 48 h: 10 CEM: 350 Dos: 1% 18 h: 1 24 h: 3 48 h: 12 CEM: 350 Dos: 1% 10 C h : N/mm2 CEM: 350 12 h: 0 18 h: 3 24 h: 14 CEM: 325 Dos: 1% 12 h: 2 18 h: 5 24 h: 16 CEM: 325 Dos: 1% 20 C h : N/mm2 CEM: 325 9 h: 2 12 h: 5 18 h: 17 CEM: 325 Dos: 1% 9 h: 3 12 h: 6 18 h: 18 CEM: 325 Dos: 1% CEM: 300 Dos: 1% 30 C h : N/mm2 CEM: 325 6 h: 5 9 h: 9 12 h: 13
Antifreeze admixture
Hardening
accelerator
18 h: 1 24 h: 4 48 h: 16
12 h: 3 18 h: 7 24 h: 15
To obtain reliable data on the early strength development in the structure, the specimens must be produced with great care. The following are suitable: y Preferably, production of specimens with dimensions matched to the structure and cores taken from them shortly before the test y Or production of specimens with the same storage conditions. It is important to realize that the early strengths are much lower due to the small dimensions. y Special pendulum impact test machines can also be used for testing on the structure. It is not appropriate to test early strength with a concrete test hammer.
Concrete composition
It is only possible to give general information, as the precise mix depends mainly on the specific requirements. y Cement type: Use a CEM I 52.5 instead of CEM I 42.5. Silica fume accelerates the strength development, but fly ash tends to retard it. y Cement content: For 32 mm max. Particle size, increase the binder content from 300 to 325 350 kg/m3. y Concrete temperatures: If possible increase the temperatures for high specifications. y Particle-size distribution curve: Select curves with a low fines content, normally by reducing the sand content, in order to reduce the water requirement. y W/C ratio: Greatly reduce the water content with a super plasticizer. y Acceleration: Speed up the strength development with a hardening accelerator, without reducing the final strengths. y Curing: Contain the hydration heat in the concrete by protection from heat loss and drying.