Accelerated strength and testing of concrete using blended cement

Accelerated strength testing using the boiling water procedure of ASTM C 684 was performed to evaluate this test method for use in the routine quality control of concrete made of local materials with particular emphasis on the use of blended cements, and in the prediction of potential quality and strength of concrete at later ages. Large number of groups of standard concrete specimens are sampled; in each group one cube represented the accelerated strength and is tested at 28.5 h while the other one is normally cured and tested at 28 days. Test results were recorded and statistically evaluated. A computer program was developed to carry out the numerical statistical computations and regression analysis. Correlation between the 28-day compressive strength and the corresponding accelerated strength was established considering the utilization of local materials and practices. The outcome of this study in the form of prediction models confirm that accelerated strength testing could be accepted in lieu of the standard 28-day testing. The conclusions derived may provide experimental evidence in favor of implementing the standard boiling water method for use in relation to quality control and prediction of concrete strength at later ages. Advanced Cement Based Materials 1997, 5, 49–56.