Title: The Maturity Approach for Predicting Different Properties of High-Performance Concrete

Author(s): J. Zhang, D. Cusson, L. Mitchell, T. Hoogeveen, and J. Margeson

Publication: Symposium Paper

Volume: 228

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 135-154

Keywords: activation energy; compressive strength; high-performanceconcrete; level of hydration; maturity; modulus of elasticity;temperature function; tensile strength

DOI: 10.14359/14467

Date: 6/1/2005

Abstract:
The prediction of concrete properties using computer modeling is becoming widely used, and many models utilize the concept of maturity. The original maturity concept was developed empirically from the study of the temperature effect on the compressive strength of normal-strength concrete. The use of the maturity concept for estimating the development of properties other than compressive strength has not yet been sufficiently validated with experimental data, especially for high-performance concrete. This paper presents a study of the maturity method for predicting the development of key properties of high-performance concrete, such as compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, and level of cement hydration. The derivation of the maturity method is explained and experimental evidence, collected under different temperature conditions, is presented and discussed. The results were used to study the activation energy, which is a governing parameter of the Arrhenius maturity formulation, for predicting the key properties of high-performance concrete. Recognizing the need for a more accurate determination of the activation energy for each concrete property, a new practical approach for calculating the Arrhenius maturity index is proposed.