Mechanical properties of young concrete: Part I: Experimental results related to test methods and temperature effects

Results of several test series on mechanical properties of young concrete are presented. Six different concrete mixes were tested systematically, and a number of other concrete mixes less extensively, all with w/b≈0.40. The program included compressive strength, tensile strength, splitting tensile strength and E-modulus determination both in compression and tension. Because temperature influences the rate of property development, and also the “final value” of a given property, the specimens were subjected to realistic temperature regimes the first few days as well as isothermal conditions. The test methods are described, and results obtained by the different test methods are compared. It is recommended that the temperature sensitivity constants should be determined from compressive strength tests on specimens exposed to realistic temperature histories. These parameters depend strongly on the cement type and the silica fume content. It was found that high performance concretes were quite robust to the negative effects of elevated temperatures. This was particularly true for concretes with pozzolana. In part two of the paper model parameters for an equation to be used in calculation programs are determined, and a test program for crack risk estimation is proposed.