Field-Curing Methods for Evaluating the Strength of Concrete Test Specimens

Solanki, Pranshoo; Xie, Haiyan

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/121042 Copy

Description

Title

Field-Curing Methods for Evaluating the Strength of Concrete Test Specimens

Author(s)

• Solanki, Pranshoo
• Xie, Haiyan

Issue Date

2023-10

Keyword(s)

• Pavement
• Structures
• Field Cured
• Temperature
• Cylinders
• Beams
• Flexural Strength
• Compressive Strength

Abstract

The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials R 100 standard provides instructions for making and curing concrete test specimens in the field. However, further research is needed to compare the strength of the field-cured specimen with the strength of the actual in-place concrete item. The purpose of this combined laboratory and field study was to evaluate field-curing methods of concrete specimens for estimating the early opening strength of an in-place concrete item. The researchers used one Illinois Department of Transportation class PV mix to cast cylinders, beams, and in-place concrete slabs on October 2021 and February 2022 at an Illinois State University concrete experiment site. Concrete cylinders were cured using three methods: ambient air (Method #C1), insulated box/cooler (Method #C2), and power-operated box (Method #C3). Beams were cured using two methods: ambient air (Method #B1) and insulated plywood box (Method #B2). The cast-in-place specimens from each slab and cylinder were tested for compressive strength, and beams were tested for flexural strength after 1, 3, and 7 days of curing. One cylinder and one beam in each curing method along with slabs were embedded with sensors to collect temperature variation with time. Only Methods #C1, #C2, and #B1 were selected for evaluating further in the field, and data were collected from an IDOT District 5 box culvert demonstration project. Laboratory results showed that Method #C2 curing of 150 mm (6 in.) cylinders estimated early (1 to 3 days) compressive strength of an in-place concrete item within an acceptable range. For estimating the 7-day strength of an in-place concrete item, Method #C1 produced acceptable results. Further statistical analysis supported the results observed in the laboratory and field.

Publisher

Illinois Center for Transportation/Illinois Department of Transportation

Has Part

• https://doi.org/10.36501/0197-9191/23-023
• ISSN: 0197-9191

Series/Report Name or Number

FHWA-ICT-23-017

Type of Resource

text

Language

en

Sponsor(s)/Grant Number(s)

IDOT-R27-219

Copyright and License Information

No restrictions. This document is available through the National Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA 22161.

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