Fast-Track Construction with Slag Cement Concrete

ACI MATERIALS JOURNAL

TECHNICAL PAPER

Title no. 104-M43

Fast-Track Construction with Slag Cement Concrete:
Adiabatic Strength Development and Strength Prediction
by Stephanie J. Barnett, Marios N. Soutsos, John H. Bungey, and Steve G. Millard
The early-age strength development of concrete containing slag
cement has been investigated to give guidance for its use in fasttrack construction. Measurements of temperature rise under
adiabatic conditions have shown that high levels of slag cement—
for example, 70% of the total binder—are required to obtain a
significant reduction in the peak temperature rise. Despite these
temperature rises being lower than those for portland cement
mixtures, however, the early-age strength under adiabatic conditions
of slag cement concrete can be as high as 250% of the strength of
companion cubes cured at 20 °C (68 °F). The maturity and, hence,
strength development were calculated from the adiabatic temperature
histories based on several maturity functions available in the
literature. The predicted strength development with age was
compared with the experimental results. Maturity functions that
take into account the lower ultimate strengths obtained at elevated
curing temperatures were found to be better at predicting the
strength development.
Keywords: early age; fast-track construction; slag cement; strength.

INTRODUCTION
In recent years, fast-track construction has created a need
for early-age estimates of concrete strength. Fast-track
construction can have considerable economic benefits.
Accelerated construction schedules that put a new, repaired,
or overlaid pavement into service require adequate concrete
strength to withstand traffic loads. Typical applications
include localized repairs, replacement of busy intersections,
and major slipform paving. In structural components, the
early removal of forms or the application of post-tensioning
and the termination of curing in cold weather have... [continues]

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