Standard Method of Test ‘for Developing Early-Age Compression Test Values and Projecting Later-Age Strengths 1 SCOPE 11 This test method covers a proce dure for making, curing, and testing spec iimens of concrete stored under condi tions intended to measure the maturity as it relates to strength gain in the concrete 1.2. This test method also covers a procedure for using the results of early- age compressive-steagth values to pro- ject potential strength of concrete at later ages, 1.3 The values stated in inch-pound Units are to be regarded as the standard, 14 This standard may involve haz. ardous materials, operations, and equip. ‘ment. This standard does not purport fo address all of the safety problems ‘associated with its use, I isthe responst bility of the user of this standard 10 establish appropriate safery and health practices and determine the applicability (of regulatory limitations prior to use, 2. REFERENCED DOCUMENTS 241 AASHTO Standards: M 205 Molds for Forming Conerete Test Cylin- ders Venically Making and Curing Concrete Test Speci- mens in the Field Compressive Strength of Cylindrical Con: crete Specimens Sampling Freshly Mixed Concrete Making and Curing Concrete Test Speci- ‘mens in the Labora- tory Capping Cylindrical ‘Concrete Specimens T2 122 Tia 7126 Tas 76 AASHTO DESIGNATION T 276-91 (ASTM DESIGNATION C 918-88) TERMINOLOGY BAL Descriptions of Terms Specific to this Standard. BALL degree-hours—The age of a ‘concrete cylinder in hours multiplied by the weighted average ambient tempera ture of that specimen. Degree-hours are obtained by dividing the age into suitable ‘ime intervals and the average ambient emperature during that interval (see X13), 3.12 equation development—A pre iction equation developed by per- forming compressive strength tests. at various ages, computing the correspond- ing maturities at the ages, and plotting the compressive swength at a function of the logarithm of maturity. A bestfit line is drawn through the data and the equation of this line is the prediction equation, 3A3 line of prediction—The tine that represents the relationship between the logarithm ofthe maturity of compres. sive strength specimens and the strength of those specimens. 3.14 maturiny—A measure to de seribe and to account for the combined effects of age and temperature on the strength of ‘concrete. Maturity is ex pressed in degree-hours. 3.1.6 prediction equation—The ‘equation, representing the lines of predic tion, that is used to predict the potential strength of portland-cement concrete from tests on compressive strength speci- mens at an early age 3.1.6.1 The general form of the pre- diction equation is: Su S. + bog M ~ log m) where: Su. predicted potential strength of ma- turity, M, Sq = measured compressive strength at maturity, m, slope of the prediction line, gree-hours of maturity “under standard conditions, and degree-hours of maturity of the specimen at time of early test. 4. SUMMARY OF TEST OF METHOD 4.1. This test method utilizes con- ventional curing with testing at not less than 24 hours. Storage during curing is as required by T 23 or T 126 with a recording thermometer added to contin ally monitor the temperature inmedi ately surrounding the specimens, 4.2. This test method also presents procedures for development of strength ‘age, and temperature data requized to develop an equation for projecting later- age strengths from these early test. SIGNIFICANCE AND USE 5.1 This test method provides, for @ particular combination of materials at the earliest practical time, an indication of the potential strength of the concrete, It also provides information on the variabil- ity of the production process for use in process control 52 Correlation between early-age strength of test specimens and strength at some later age achieved by conventional ‘curing methods depends upon the materi- als comprising the concrete and the spe- cific procedure employed, Any strength value provided by companion specimens, ‘no matter how obtained, has a dubious relation to the actual strength of the con crete in-place in the structure, and has1276 value only as an indicator of a probability that the desired load-bearing capability hhas been or can be obtained in the struc ture by use of a particular formulation. ‘There is, therefore, no fundamental rea son why the early strength obtained from this test method cannot be used in the design and evaluation of concrete strengths in the same way conventional 28-day strengths have been used in the past, with suitable changes in the ex- pected numbers used to deseribe strength values, However, since the practice of Using strength values obtained from stan dard curing cylinders at 28 days is long established and widespread, it is recog~ nized that many people will wish to use the results of strength tests on specimens cured by this procedure to make predic- tions of strength that might be obtained at Tater ages. Such predictions should be limited to concretes using the same materials as those used for establishing the correlation, NOTE 1—Confidence intervals developed im accordance with Appendix X1.3.4 are help ful in evaluating predictions. 6. APPARATUS 6.1 Equipment and Small Tools, for fabricating specimens and measuring plastic concrete characteristics shall con- form to the applicable requirements of T 23 oc T 126, 6.2 Molds, for specimens shall con- form to the requirements for cylinder molds in M 205, 63° Recording thermometer! to te- ‘cord accurately within = 1.8°F (1°C) the {temperature surrounding the specimens during curing, 7.1 Sample and test the concrete in accordance with T 23, T 126, ot T 141 aA ao as scene tema, mode 65, seus tom te aie Temame Cape 201 METHODS OF SAMPLING AND TESTING 8. EARLY-AGE STRENGTH PROCEDURE 8.1 Mold and cure the specimens in accordance with T 23 (Method for ‘Checking the Adequacy for Mixtore Pro- portions) or T 126, Continue curing for at least 24 hours. 8.2 Maintain a record of the temper- ature immediately surrounding the speci- ‘mens during curing, 83. Capping and Testing—Remove the specimens from the molds as soon as practical, after 24 hours. Cap the spec~ mens in accordance with T 231 83.1 When specimens are capped in accordance with T 231, the capping ma- terial shall develop, atthe age of 30 min lutes a strength equal to or greater than the strength of the cylinders to be tested. 83.2 Do not test specimens sooner than 30 minutes after capping 8.4 Test the cylinder for strength in ‘accordance with T 22 at the age of 24 hours or more. Note the exact age (hours) at the time of the test. The age of the cylinder is measured from the time of molding 85 ‘The maturity, m, of the early: age test specimen is the age in hours of time of test multiplied by the average weighted temperature of the air sur rounding the specimen (see Section BaD), 8.6 When the data representing the ‘compressive strength and the maturity, ‘m, as developed in Sections 8.4 and 8.5 are to be used to predict the potential strength ofthe concrete at some later age, derive the predicted strength by using the equation in Section 3.1.6.1 9. PROCEDURE FOR DEVELOPING STRENGTH- MATURITY RELATIONSHIP 9.1 Develop compressive strength data for different ages of tests, and the ‘corresponding maturity values in the lab ‘oratory to determine the prediction equa tion for each mixture to be used. These data shall include tests at age 24 hours, and 3, 7, 14, and 28 days. If the age for which projected strength is to be determined exceeds 28 days, the data shall include tests at the desired age 17 ‘Tests at each age will be the compressive sweength determined by averaging the strength obtained from a minimum of ‘vo eylinders, 9.1 Field data may also be used. Provided it furnishes all of the informa- tion in Section 9.1 and provided the spec imens ate cured as required for checking adequacy of laboratory mixture propor: tions (see T 23), 9.2. Prepare a sheet of semitog graph paper, 2 cycle by 70 divisions, Number the 1-in. divisions in 1000-ps increments (y-axis). The logarithmie scale will repre. sent maturity, in degree-hours, at time of test (x-axis), 9.3. Plot each of the strength values as developed in Section 9.1 versus the ‘maturity for each age of the test 94 Draw a bestfitting straight line rough the plotted points making sure that the line passes’ through the point that represents the 28-day maturity ver- sus strength, Shovld this procedure be used to project strengths at an age other than 28 days, the best fitting straight line should pass through the point that repre- Sents the maturity versus strength plot for the desired prediction age, If the data plotted in Section 9.3 do not lend themselves to a best-fting straight line, then draw a straight line connecting the 28-day, or other later age, strength versus ‘maturity point with the best fit between the strength versus maturity point repre- senting the 24-hour and 3-day test values, NOTE 2—If it is desired to check the accuracy of the fist estimate made of the slope of the line of prediction, &. compan specimens to those for testing stan early ‘may be fabricated and cured in accordance with T23 for checking the adequacy of labo- fatory minxeure proportions and tested at 28 days. The value of b may be re-estimated by use of the equation b= EUS ~ 5,13 (og M ~ tog m)) where! 3 = indicating. th be added, measured compression strength at maturity, M, and measured compression strength at maturity, the values are 1018 9.8 Determine the value, b, from the line thus plotted as in Section 3.1.6.1 Tie slope 6, of this line is the vertical distance in units of stress between the intercept on the 10000-degree hours line and the intercept on the 100000-degree hours line. 9.6 Use the constant b, and the equa: Won in Section 3.1.6.1 to calculate the Projected strength of portland-cement conerete. 10. INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS: 10.1. Use of the results from this test ‘method in the prediction of specification compliance of strengths at later ages must be applied with some caution be- cause strength requirements in existing specifications and codes are not based upon early testing. As stated in Section 12, the variability of the test method is the same or less than that from traditional test methods. Thus, results can be used in rapid assessment of variability for pro: cess control and signaling the need for indicated adjustments. On the other hand, the magnitude of the strength values ob- tained is influenced by the specific com bination of materials so that the use of the results from either conventional tests at any arbitrary age or those from this test method must be supported by experi- fence or correlations developed by the specific agency for the existing local conditions and materials. Factors infu encing relationships between measured strengths and those of conerete in-place are no different from those affecting con ventional strength tests 1. REPORT 11.1 The laboratory report shall in clude the following: 11.1 Identification number of test cylinder. 11.2 Diameter (and length, if not standard) of test cylinder, in inches or rillimeters 113. Cross-sectional area of test cylinder, in square inches or square centi- 11.14 Maximum Joad in pounds- force or newtons. METHODS OF SAMPLING AND TESTING ILLS Compressive suength caleu- lated to the nearest 10 psi (69 kPa. ILL6 Type of fracture, if other than the usual cone ALL7 Age of specimens at the time of test a nearest 2" 8 Initial mix temperature to the or °C. LLL9 Temperature records, and L110. Method of transportation used for shipping the specimens to the laboratory, 11.2 If the data developed in accor- dance with Section 8.2 and reported in accordance with Section 11.1 are used to predict potential suength then the report shall include the following 1.2.1 The maturity of the early test, specimens, m (calculated to the nearest degree-hour). 11.2.2 The age projected to days, and 112.3 The projected (predicted) strength (calculated to the nearest 10 psi (69 kPa) PRECISION AND BIAS 1. Precision 12.1.1 The single laboratory coeff cient of variation has been determined as 36 percent for a pair of cylinders cast from the same batch. Therefore, results of two properly conducted strength tests by the same laboratory on two individual cylinders made with the same materials should not differ more than 10 percent of their average 12.1.2 The single-laboratory, muli- ay coefficient of variation has been de- termined as 8.7 percent for the average of pairs of cylinders cast from single batches mixed on 2 days, Therefore, re sults of two properly conducted strength tests each consisting of the average of two cylinders from the same batch made in the same laboratory on the same mat- fials should not differ by more than 25 percent of their average. 12.2 Bias—This test method has no determinable bias as the values obtained can only be defined in terms of this test method 1276 (Nonmandatory Information) XI. EXAMPLE OF USE X11 General—This method utilizes conventional curing, with testing at not less than 24 hours. Sampling and prepa- ration of compressive strength specimens are to be in accordance with T 23, 7 141, of T 126. Storage during curing is as required by T 23 or T 126, with a hermometer added to continv- ally monitor the ambient temperature im- ‘mediately surrounding the specimens. While there are many instruments avail- able for this purpose, one which has been found suitable is a Model 615 Dry Stylus Recording Thermometer manufactured by the Pacific Transducer Corp., 2301 Federal Ave., Los Angeles, Calif. 90064. Testing is in accordance with T 22, X12 Sirength versus Maturity Rela onship: X21 To firmly establish the rela tionship of strength versus maturity, is desirable to produce concrete made from the actual components, including admixtures, to be used in work. While ficld dats may be used, the initial data will normally originate in the laboratory before field production begins. Compres- sive strength specimens will, therefore, normally be made and cured in the labo ratory and tested at ages 24 hours, 3 days, 7 days, 14 days, and 28. days. is suggested that a minimum of 14 cylinders be made and cured in sccor- dance with T 126. NU211 Example Data—An exam- ple of age-strength data obtained from these cylinders may be as follows Age Average (No. of Cinders) Strength pst 2h 190 3 anys @) 2e4 7 asye (2) 3137 1 days @) ya 28 days 16) on X1212 Maturity (as defined in Section 3.1.4) is determined by obtaining1276 METHODS OF SAMPLING AND TESTING mscrvNrTy #08 (60) 19 FIGURE X1_ Strength Versus Maturity Relationship the product of age in hours and the aver- age weighted temperature of the con. crete, Degree-hours may be calculated from the temperature history by dividing the age into suitable time intervals and ‘summing the product of the time interval land the corresponding average tempera- {ure for each interval. The concrete tem- perature may be assumed to equal the ambient ai temperature immediately sur- rounding the specimen, Since the con- cretes are produced, cured, and tested in the laboratory, a record of the curing temperature will be available 1.2.1.3 Typical curing tempera tures may be 71°F (21°C) prior to stip ping the molds, and a constant 73¢F (23°C) thereafter. In this ease, the matu nity at the various ages can be calculated as fellows: Age Temperate = Maturity 2Enx THF = 1708F Days x 26h x TE = S20 26m 70 6 days X 264 x TSF 6 12210 FA + 2m xe, 13 days x 24 3 THF = 24480 $n TE 27 days X 244 THF = 490084 + 2h TV NOTE X11—Developmental work used the Fahrenheit scale, however, the Celsius scale may be used provided the equation de- velopment (as defined in Section 3.1.2) and the maturity of the test specimens is deter: ‘mined using degrees Celsius X122 Prepare a sheot of semilog graph paper. 2 cycles by 70 divisions, by numbering the I-in. divisions alor the y-axis in 1000-psi increments. The logarithmic scale on the x-axis will rep resent maturity in degree-hours, with the first eycle representing a range of mat rity values from 1000 to 10000°F'h and the second cycle from “10000 to 100000°F-n. The typical data shown in Sections X1.2.1.1 and X1.2.1.3 can be plotted on this graph paper as shown in Figure X11. XI2.3 Using the point ploted as the 28-day strength versus maturity asa Pivot point, draw a straight line through the other points. Ideally these points should be such that a straight line will pass through them. However, since all the factors that influence the maturity cannot be measured, a bestfitting slraight line is drawn through the points, making sure thst it passes through the720 point representing the 28-day strength versus maturity. This suraight line is ex- tended to 100000°F-h maturity. X12 This Tine then represents the relationship between maturity and seength for this particular concrete. This relationship can be expressed in the form fof the equation of the straight line drawn as Su = 5, + b (log M ~ log m) X124.1 The value b is the slope of this line of prediction and is the vertical distance between where the line inter- sects 10000°F*h of maturity and 100000°F-h of maturity. For this particu- lar example, & = 1950, X1.242 Any concrete produced from the materials and batch proportions that are used to develop the line of pre- diction would have the same strength- ‘maturity relationship X125 The development data in Section X1.2.1.3 may be developed using degrees Celsius instead of degrees Fahr- cenheit. If degrees Celsius are used the semilog graph paper required in Section X1.2.2 will be 3 cycles by 70 divisions. ‘The logarithmic scale on the x-axis will represent maturity in degree-hours, with the first cycle representing a range of maturity values from 100 to. 1000°C-h, the second cycle from 1000 to 10000°C-h, and the third cycle from 10000 0 100000°C'h, X125S.1 The value b is the slope of this line of prediction and is the vertical distance in units of stress, between where the line intersects 10000°C-h of maturity ‘and 100000°C-h of maturity, X13 Field Application X13.1 To use the prediction equa- METHODS OF SAMPLING AND TESTING tion in the field, sample the concrete in accordance with Method T 141, Mold and cure atleast two specimens in accor dance with Method T 23. Continue eur ing for at least 24 hours. Maintain an accurate record of the ambient tempera: ture immediately surrounding the speci- ‘mens during the curing period. X32 _As soon as practical after the ‘minimum 24-hour curing period, remove the specimens from the molds and pre- pare for testing in accordance with T 22. Note the exact age (hours) at the time of test. Use this age, together with the record of curing temperature, to deter- imine the maturity, m, at time of test Report the early compressive strength, Sms asthe average of the cylinders tested. is now possible to solve the equation for a predicted compressive strength, Si, at a given maturity, M. X133 As an example: X133.1 Compressive strength spec- imens fabricated in the field ate cured for 24 hours under standard conditions at the job site. From the temperature record maintained in the curing facility we find that the time temperature varia tions are as follows: Owsh TE 31084 steady increace from 70 10 7S B10 26H restombly consistent at 77F X1L332_ By the time the cylinders are removed from the molds, eapped and the cap cured, another 2. hours passe. ‘The cylinders are stored at 73°F (23°C) during this 2 hours. XL333 The maturity at test age 26 hours is, therefore, the summation of the maturity for each of these increments: 7276 Bhar = 210% Sha 25°F = 362.5% Thar 76 = 13PF 2 hax TNF = 46'E ‘eral matrty = 1950.54 XLL334 ‘The average compressive strength of three specimens at this matt. nity 45 1427 psi X133.S The predicted potential 28. day strength is calculated as Su 5.4 b (log — tog m) Su = 1827 + 1950 log $0000 = tos 19505) Se 1227 + 1950 (4699 ~ 3.290) Se tan? +2747 Som 4174 psi X1.33.5.1 The equation would pre- dict, therefore, that had the compressive strength specimens been conventionally ‘cured for the full 28 days, their strength would have approximated 4174 psi when broken at 28 days. X134 It may be desirable to de. velop a one-sided confidence interval to bbe used in the acceptance decision. Usu. ally such a confidence interval could be developed at 2 90-percent confidence level and the decision would be to accept the material as conforming to specifica: tion requirements when: Sy > (LL + Ky where: Sy predicted 28-day strength LL = specified lower limit, specifi cally, 28-day strength, 1645 ¥ (Sy — Sy)'2n 1.645. = confidence coefficient fora S% probability of accepting mate ial with a strength below LL. Sy = measured 28-day strength, and n= umber of paired (Sy and Sx) values used in the analysis.