Evaluation of the mechanical properties of concrete considering the effects of temperature and aging

This paper presents a procedure to evaluate the development of the mechanical properties of hardening concrete considering the effects of temperature and aging. The steps of this procedure are shown as follows: first, by using a multi-component hydration model, we evaluate the degree of hydration of cement as a function of the mineral compositions of cement, the water to cement ratio, curing temperature and particle size distribution; second, by using the modified Powers’ law, the development of the compressive strength of concrete is evaluated through the gel–space ratio and degree of hydration of cement; third, the development of the elastic modulus and splitting tensile strength of hardening concrete are evaluated by using empirical equations from the compressive strength. The proposed procedure is verified through experimental results on the mechanical properties of hardening concrete cured under constant and variable temperature conditions.

▸ We proposed a kinetic model to evaluate mechanical properties of hardening concrete. ▸ The model has considered the effects of curing temperature and aging. ▸ The model is valid for both constant and variable temperature conditions. ▸ The properties of hardening concrete are evaluated from degree of hydration.