Complex Maturity Method for Estimating the Concrete Strength Based on Curing Temperature, Ambient Temperature and Relative Humidity

Abstract

The maturity method is deservedly considered one of the reliable indirect methods for determining the strength at the early stages of concrete curing. The main parameter in the calculation is the internal temperature of concrete that accumulates during the chemical reaction of concrete curing, while external factors such as ambient temperature and relative humidity are fallaciously omitted. In this work, the complex maturity method was developed based on ASTM C1074, accounting for the influence of ambient temperature and relative humidity and coefficients indicating their influence weight. The laboratory testing to measure the concrete strength by compression method and non-destructive sclerometer method were performed on concrete samples according to ASTM C109, GOST 22690, and GOST 10180. According to the calibration dependence of the existing and proposed methods results in comparison with the strength of cubic samples, the highest coefficient of determination R2 = 0.976 was revealed for the complex method of maturity, which indicates its reliability in contrast with sclerometer and traditional maturity methods. The determination of complex maturity allows for an evaluation of the current state of concrete strength, but also reduces the waiting time for concrete curing and increases the economic effect during construction.