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76 PCI JOURNAL
in the precast, prestressed concrete in- The objective was to establish a material. Fly ash, microsilica or their
dustry. The specific objective of the comparative relationship of the com- combination were used in several
material tests is to document the ef- pressive strength test results with al- mixes. Replacement rates of fly ash
fects of mix designs and curing condi- ternative end conditions. and microsilica were 10 and 7.5 per-
tions on compressive strength, tensile Because different combinations of cent, respectively. The coarse aggre-
strength, modulus of elasticity, creep Portland cement, fly ash and microsil- gate to fine aggregate ratio was kept
characteristics and durability of high ica (silica fume) are to be used in the constant at 1.5.
strength concrete. full-scale investigation, it was decided Superplasticizer was added to all
A preliminary study of some of the to investigate the effect and interaction mixes to bring the concrete slump in the
factors that may have an effect on of different cementitious material range of 4 to 6 in. (100 to 150 mm). In
compression test results of standard compositions on different types of ag- some cases (highly dependent on the
high strength concrete cylinders was gregates. The types and sources of ag- cementitious materials composition),
considered to be essential. These pa- gregates were selected based on their increased dosages of superplasticizer
rameters included mold size, mold past satisfactory performance in the over that which was recommended by
material and specimen end condition. local precast, prestressed concrete the admixture manufacturer were found
A range of results has been observed plants. Study of the effect of different to be necessary to bring the slump
in past tests conducted to investigate curing conditions on the interaction of in the desired range [up to 35 oz./cwt
these parameters. 1•2•3•4 It was believed materials was also part of this prelimi- (220 g/100 kg)].
that the results from this part of the nary study.
study would help the investigators in
selecting parameters to be used in the Equipment Used
EXPERIMENTAL
main body of tests. The following equipment was used
PROGRAM for mixing, curing and testing the con-
Most of the precast, prestressed con-
crete plants have testing machines Material Properties crete cylinders:
with a nominal compressive capacity 1. Mixer- A 10 fe (0.3 m3) fixed-
All concrete was produced, cured
of about 250,000 lb (113,400 kgf). drum mixer powered by a 5 hp (3730
and tested in the Structural Engineer-
Limitation on the capacity of existing W) electric motor was used to mix all
ing Laboratory of the Department of
testing machines suggests the use of the concrete used in this study. The
Civil and Mineral Engineering at the
4 x 8 in. (100 x 200 mm) concrete moving shaft inside the fixed drum
University of Minnesota.
cylinders instead of the usual 6 x 12 in. was equipped with two open-web spi-
Coarse aggregates with nominal
(150 x 300 mm) specimens. Other ad- ral blades which shovel concrete from
maximum size of X in. (13 mm) con-
vantages of using 4 x 8 in. (100 x 200 one side of the drum to the other, re-
forming to the grading requirements
mm) molds are easier fabrication, eas- sulting in a uniform mix. Rubber
of ASTM C33 for size No. 7 were
ier handling and transportation, scrapers were mounted at the edges of
used. In order to minimize the effect
smaller required storage space, and the blades to prevent cement paste
of cleanness and gradation of coarse
less concrete and capping compound from sticking to the sides of the drum.
aggregate on the physical properties
needed to make test specimens. 2. Curing tank- A 385 gal. (1460 1)
of concrete in both fresh and hard-
Availability, ease of use and other ened stages, coarse aggregates were curing tank equipped with an electric
advantages offered by single-use plas- washed, separated into individual size heater and thermostat with a range of
tic molds have made them a practical fractions and then recombined to pro- 0 to 100°F (-18 to 38°C) was used to
mold option for the concrete construc- duce a standard gradation. For fine cure the concrete cylinders. A sub-
tion industry. It is of interest to com- aggregate, natural river sand with a mersible pump circulated the saturated
pare and find a relation between the fineness modulus of 2.80 and a grada- lime water through the heating coils to
compressive strength test results ob- tion within the limits of ASTM C33 provide uniform temperature through-
tained from concrete cylinders cast in was used. out the tank [73.4 ± 3°F (23 ± 1.7°C)].
single-use plastic molds and those ob- Different combinations of ASTM An independent thermometer was in-
tained from companion cylinders cast C 150 Type III Portland cement, stalled to verify the accuracy of the
in heavy-gauge reusable steel molds. ASTM C618 Class C fly ash and dry, thermostat setting.
Also, the limit on the compressive densified microsilica were used as ce- 3. Heat curing chamber - In
strength of commercially available mentitious materials for high strength order to simulate the curing process
capping compounds [about 16,000 psi concrete mixes. The only admixture typical of precast, prestressed concrete
(110 MPa)] makes it necessary to look used was a modified naphthalene sul- manufacturers, the walk-in heating
for other practical options for end fonate superplasticizer. chamber at the Structural Engineering
preparation of high strength concrete Laboratory of the Department of Civil
specimens. Two alternative approaches and Mineral Engineering, University
for end preparation of high strength Concrete Mix Characteristics of Minnesota, was used as the heat
concrete cylinders were considered: For this portion of the study, all curing room. The chamber has the ca-
grinding both ends of cylinders and concrete mixes contained a total of pacity to raise the temperature to
using unbonded neoprene caps. 750 lb/yd 3 (445 kg/m3) of cementitious 150°F (71 °C). The temperature inside
PCI JOURNAL 77
the chamber was verified by an inde- room temperature]. Parameters Investigated
pendent thermometer. The heat-curing 4. Test machine - Concrete cylin-
process used in this study consisted of ders were tested for uniaxial compres- The effects of the following parame-
the following stages: sive strength using an MTS 810 Mate- ters on the compressive strength of
(a) An initial delay prior to heating of rial Testing System. The system has a high strength concrete were studied
about three hours (room temperature). capacity of 600,000 lb (270,000 kgf) during the course of this portion of the
(b) Temperature increase period of (tension or compression) and can be investigation:
two-and-a-half hours [from room tem- programmed to operate in either load or 1. Effect of mold size [6 x 12 in.
perature to 150°F (71 °C)]. displacement control modes. For the (150 X 300 mm) VS. 4 X 8 in. (100 X
(c) Constant temperature period of purpose of this study, the load was con- 200 mm) single-use plastic molds].
12 hours [150°F (71 °C)]. tinuously applied to the cylinder by 2. Effect of mold material [6 x 12
(d) Temperature decrease period moving the top spherical bearing block in. (150 x 300 mm) single-use plastic
of two hours [from 150°F (71 °C) to at a rate of 0.05 in. (1.3 mm) per minute. molds vs. heavy-gauge reusable steel
molds].
3. Effect of coarse aggregate type
(crushed limestone from two sources,
and round glacial gravel).
4. Effect of curing condition [heat
'(jj
c. curing at 150°F (71 °C} - typical of
~ precast, prestressed concrete manufac-
(J) en
"0
c:
"0 turing plants; immersion in saturated
.£:
>. caIJJ lime water for the entire life - ASTM
0 :J
0 standard procedure; and air-curing -
-~ .c c simulated worst field condition].
C\1
T""
X
5. Effect of age of specimen at the
<0 time of uniaxial compressive strength
test (one, seven, 14 and 28 days).
6. Effect of specimen end condition
during the uniaxial compressive
strength test (grinding both ends of
concrete cylinder, using unbonded
Inn Ref. 1 -------- Ref. 2 -------- Ref. 3 neoprene caps, or capping with a high
............... Ref. 4 -This Study strength capping compound) .
7. Effect of cementitious material
composition (cement only, cement
Fig. 1. Effect of specimen size on compressive strength of concrete. with 10 percent fly ash, cement with
7.5 percent microsilica, and cement
with 10 percent fly ash and 7.5 percent
microsilica, all as replacement by
'iii 15
c. weight of cement).
~-- 14
(J)
"0 13
.£: 12
(3- en MAKING, CURING AND
11
"0 "0
c: PREPARING SPECIMENS
0 ca 10
:E IJJ
:J The interior of the mixer was
u 0 9
.c
~ c 8 sprayed with water and completely
a: 7 drained immediately before loading
-~ 6 the mixer. The coarse aggregate and
C\1
,_ 5
about half of the mixing water were
X loaded and premixed by turning on the
co 4
4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 mixer for a few seconds. The coarse
6 x 12 in. Steel Mold Cylinders, psi aggregate was permitted to absorb
(Thousands) water for approximately 10 minutes
inside the mixer; this procedure helped
J .......... Ref. 3 - - This Study to avoid early loss of slump. Then the
cementitious materials and fine aggre-
gate, together with the remainder of
Fig. 2. Effect of mold material on compressive strength of concrete. water and superplasticizer, were added
78 PCI JOURNAL
from the unhardened concrete, the sur-
'Cii 16 l
faces of those specimens which were
c. l moved to the heat-curing chamber
CJi
E
!:
0
15
14
/
v were covered immediately with a
piece of plastic wrap. A rubber band
"C 13
0
!: (i)
/ kept the wrap in place. The specimens
"C 12
() !:
CIS v were heat-cured according to the
~
"C
!: 11
Ill
:I aforementioned curing procedure. No
w 0
.... .c. external source of moisture was pro-
-Q)
10
.c. 1:::- vided in this process. Surfaces of air-
0
9
,s; 8 .d/ cured specimens were covered by
co 7
? ---·-·····-·
plastic wrap only for the first 24
>< hours. Moist-cured specimens were
v 6
13 14 16
immediately immersed in saturated
6 7 8 9 10 11 12 15
4 x 8 in. Capped, psi lime water.
(Thousands) All concrete cylinders were stripped
after 24 hours. Air-cured and heat-
j-- Ground Ends ............. Unbonded Neop. Cap cured specimens were then moved to a
storage site and exposed to the labora-
tory ambient humidity and tempera-
Fig. 3. Effect of end condition on compressive strength of concrete. ture for the rest of their lives. Moist-
cured specimens were returned to the
saturated lime water tank until the mo-
ment of test.
12
RESULTS AND
'Cii
c. DISCUSSION
-
..:.
Ol 8 Specimen Size
-
!: (i)
~ "C
!:
(/) CIS Comparisons of compressive strength
Ill 6 test results of 6 x 12 in. (150 x 300
~ :::1
0
'Cii .c. mm) cylinders vs. 4 x 8 in. (100 x 200
Ill
~ 1:::- 4 mm) cylinders are shown in Fig. 1. All
c.
E cylinders were capped with high
0
() 2 strength capping compound. Also
shown are the results from four other
0 reported studies. '·2•3.4
3 7 28 Except for Ref. 3, all other tests, in-
Age, Days cluding this study, predicted higher
compressive strength results for 4 x 8
j ~ Limestone "A" ~ Limestone "B" in. (100 x 200 mm) concrete cylinders.
It is observed that, on average, 4 x 8 in.
(100 x 200 mm) cylinders tested 6 per-
Fig. 4. Effect of type of aggregate- Limestone A vs. Limestone B (reference mix). cent higher than companion 6 x 12 in.
(150 x 300 mm) cylinders. Excellent
agreement with results reported by
and mixed for five minutes. Addi- dating the molds. For 4 x 8 in. ( 100 x
Ref. 2 was observed.
tional superplasticizer was added, in a 200 mm) molds, the tamping rod was
few of the mixes, to bring the slump in a % in. (10 mm) diameter rod with
the range of 4 to 6 in. (100 to 150 both ends rounded to a hemispherical Mold Material
mm). The mix was then dumped into a tip of the same diameter. A similar Fig. 2 shows the effect of mold ma-
watertight, clean, damp metal pan. % in. (16 mm) diameter rod was used terial on the compressive strength of 6
One day before mixing, the interiors for consolidating the 6 x 12 in. (150 x x 12 in. (150 x 300 mm) concrete
of all molds were lightly oiled with 300 mm) molds. The surface of the cylinders. On average, the compres-
form coating oil. Molds were filled concrete was stricken off with the sive strength of cylinders cast in
with concrete in accordance with the tamping rod and the specimens were heavy-gauge reusable steel molds was
provisions of ASTM C 192. With the moved immediately to the appropriate 2.5 percent higher than that of cylin-
exception of the tamping rod, identical curing sites. ders cast in flexible single-use plastic
tools were used in filling and consoli- To prevent evaporation of water molds. This result is consistent with
PCIJOURNAL 79
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Fig. 6a. Effect of type of aggregate; moist-cured, 0 percent FA and 0 percent SF (ref.). Fig. 6b. Effect of type of aggregate; moist-cured, 10 percent FA and 0 percent SF.
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Age, Days Age, Days
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16~----------------------------~ 16.----------------------------,
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Fig. ?a. Fly ash and silica fume effect; heat-cured, round gravel. Fig. 7b. Fly ash and silica fume effect; moist-cured, round gravel.
'(ij
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~ -g 9 ~ '0 c:: 9
m a. . . . . . . . . . .,.,.. D Ci5 111
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t.. Age, Days Age, Days
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Age, Days Age, Days
j~ Heat Cured E222l Moist Cured § Air Cured , . Heat Cured ~ Moist Cured ~ Air Cured
Fig. 8a. Effect of curing condition; round gravel, reference mix. Fig. 8b. Effect of curing condition; round gravel, 10 percent fly ash.
16.---------------------------------------~
15 .... ··························································-·······
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Age, Days SF = Silica Fume Age, Days
I~ Heat Cured E222l Moist Cured § Air Cured I~ Heat Cured ~ Moist Cured ~ Air Cured
~ Fig. Be. Effect of curing condition; round gravel, 7.5 percent silica fume. Fig. 8d. Effect of curing condition; round gravel, 10 percent FA and 7.5 percent SF.
"iii "iii
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Age, Days Age, Days
I~ Heat Cured ~ Moist Cured ~ Air Cured I~ Heat Cured ~ Moist Cured ~ Air Cured
Fig. 9a. Effect of curing condition; limestone, reference mix. Fig. 9b. Effect of curing condition; limestone, 10 percent fly ash.
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Age, Days SF = Silica Fume Age, Days
lJ
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0 I~ Heat Cured ~ Moist Cured ~ Air Cured I ~ Heat Cured ~ Moist Cured ~ Air Cured
c
JJ
z
)>
r Fig. 9c. Effect of curing condition; limestone, 7.5 percent silica fume. Fig. 9d. Effect of curing condition; limestone, 10 percent FA and 7.5 percent SF.
that reported by Ref. 3, also shown in Table 1. Percentage of the 28-day compressive strength gained at one day for dif-
Fig. 2. It appears that as long as the ferent cementitious material compositions, aggregate types and curing conditions.
manual rodding method is used to
Round gravel Limestone
consolidate concrete, the effect of
High strength Heat-cured Moist-cured Air-cured Heat-cured Moist-cured Air-cured
mold material on the compressive concrete mix (percent) (percent) (percent) (percent) (percent) (percent)
strength of concrete is insignificant.
Reference mix* 74 62 70 78 64 70
10 percent fly ash 79 62 70 73 63 66
End Condition
7.5 percent
Compressive strength test results of silica fume 83 55 62 84 61 65
4 x 8 in. (100 x 200 mm) high strength 10 percent fly ash
concrete cylinders with two alternative and 7.5 percent
end conditions vs. those capped with a silica fume 84 50 58 85 56 62
high strength capping compound are *750 lb/yd (445 kg/rn ) of Type lii Portland cement.
3 3
PCI JOURNAL 85
Results summarized in Table 1 indi- 7. A fly ash content of 10 percent by (103 MPa) for 4 x 8 in. (100 x 200
cate that heat-curing improves the per- weight of cement decreased compres- mm) cylinders.
formance of microsilica at early ages. sive strength of high strength concrete 15. As noted in Conclusion 9, the
On average, heat-cured samples con- made with limestone at early ages. addition of microsilica had the greatest
taining 7.5 percent microsilica (alone 8. The required amount of super- effect on the mixes made with round
or in combination with 10 percent fly plasticizer for a given slump increased gravel. This is attributed to improved
ash) gained about 85 percent of their when cement was replaced by mi- bond between the aggregate and the
28-day compressive strength during crosilica on a 1 to 1 basis. The inclu- paste. More aggregate fractures were
the first 24 hours. This percentage was sion of microsilica increased cohesive- noted in the round gravel mixes con-
approximately 75 percent for refer- ness and reduced segregation and taining microsilica than in those round
ence mixes or for the mixes with 10 bleeding of the fresh concrete. This in- gravel mixes without microsilica. Be-
percent fly ash only. creased cohesiveness demands a cause the fracture of the aggregate
higher slump to match the workability controlled the limestone mixes, the ad-
of a control mix. dition of microsilica had little effect
CONCLUSIONS 9. A microsilica content of 7.5 per- on those mixes.
Based on the results of this study, cent by weight of cement significantly
the following conclusions can be improved the compressive strength of
made. high strength concrete made with EPILOGUE
round gravel. Moist-curing enhanced
1. On average, 4 x 8 in. (100 x 200 The relationship between the com-
mm) cylinders tested 6 percent higher the benefit obtained from inclusion of
micro silica. pressive strength test results obtained
than companion 6 x 12 in. (150 x 300 from 4 x 8 in. (100 x 200 mm) and 6 x
mm) cylinders. 10. A microsilica content of 7.5
12 in. (150 x 300 mm) high strength
2. On average, for the manual rod- percent by weight of cement slightly
concrete cylinders was found to be
ding consolidation method, 6 x 12 in. improved the compressive strength of
consistent with that established by
(150 x 300 mm) cylinders cast in high strength concrete made with
Ref. 2. It was concluded that using 4 x
heavy-gauge reusable steel molds limestone. Moist-curing enhanced the
8 in. (100 x 200 mm) molds instead of
tested 2.5 percent higher than those benefit obtained from inclusion of
the current 6 x 12 in. (150 x 300 mm)
cast in single-use plastic molds. microsilica.
standard molds is a practical approach
3. On average, 4 x 8 in. ( 100 x 200 11. Replacement by weight of in testing high strength concrete.
mm) cylinders with ground ends or ASTM C150 Type III Portland cement An analysis of compressive strength
capped with unbonded neoprene pads with 10 percent fly ash and 7.5 percent test results from high strength concrete
tested 1.0 percent higher than those microsilica had the same effect, more cylinders cast in heavy-gauge reusable
capped with high strength capping or less, as the microsilica content of steel molds and from single-use plastic
compound. 7.5 percent by weight of cement molds indicated that, for manual rod-
4. Concrete made with limestone through 28 days. ding concrete consolidation, speci-
showed higher compressive strength 12. The 28-day compressive strength mens cast in heavy-gauge steel molds
than that made with round gravel. of high strength concrete made with test only slightly higher.
Limestone particles exhibited a supe- round gravel was more sensitive to No significant advantage was ob-
rior bond characteristic with cement curing conditions than that of a com- served in testing high strength con-
paste and the plane of fracture in lime- panion mix. made with limestone. For crete cylinders with ground ends. Un-
stone concrete crossed most of the high strength concrete made with bonded neoprene caps appeared to be
coarse aggregate particles. In contrast, round gravel, the moist-cured speci- a practical option for testing high
round gravel particles showed poor mens consistently tested higher than strength concrete specimens. The re-
bond with cement paste and, except heat-cured or air-cured specimens. sults obtained from all three types of
for small-sized particles, the plane of 13. The 28-day compressive strength end condition (ground, capped with
fracture passed around coarse aggre- of high strength concrete made with unbonded neoprene pads and capped
gate particles. limestone was not sensitive to curing with high strength capping compound)
5. Replacement of cement by fly ash conditions. yielded compressive strength values
on a 1 to 1 basis reduced the amount of 14. There was a limit to the com- within 1.0 percent.
superplasticizer required for a given pressive strength of concrete made Because of its superior bond charac-
slump. Also, the inclusion of fly ash re- with limestone. This limit was reached teristic, limestone coarse aggregate
duced segregation, bleeding and appar- when the cement paste became was selected for the majority of the re-
ent improved fmishability of concrete. stronger than the aggregate. At this maining tests on the mechanical prop-
6. A fly ash content of 10 percent by limit, the plane of failure passes erties of high strength concrete. How-
weight of cement decreased compres- through almost all the coarse aggre- ever, additional tests will be per-
sive strength of concrete made with gate particles. This limit for the partic- formed using other types of aggregates
round gravel at all ages up through 28 ular limestone used in this study was and other types and brands of cement
days. found to be approximately 15,000 psi and admixtures in search for the best
86 PCI JOURNAL
performance. Also, other combinations The valuable assistance of the fol- Texas State Department of Highway and
of microsilica and fly ash in cementi- lowing companies in providing some Public Transportation, Austin, TX,
tious material contents of high strength of the materials and equipment used in March 1985, 36 pp.
concrete mixes will be studied. this study is greatly appreciated: 2. Howard, Nathan L., and Leatham,
David M., "The Production and Deliv-
Lehigh Cement Company, National
ery of High-Strength Concrete," Con-
Minerals Corporation, J .L. Shiely
crete International, V. 11, No. 4, April
Company, Edward Kraemer & Sons, 1989, pp. 26-30.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Inc., W. R. Grace & Co., and Elk River 3. Carrasquillo, P. M., and Carrasquillo,
This research investigation was con- Concrete Products. R. L., "Evaluation of the Use of Current
ducted under the joint sponsorship of Concrete Practice in the Production of
High-Strength Concrete," ACI Materials
the Minnesota Prestress Association
Journal, V. 85, No. 1, January-February
and the National Science Foundation REFERENCES
1988, pp. 49-54.
Grant No. BCS-8451536 at the De- 1. Janak, Karl J., "Comparative Compres- 4. Peterman, M. B., and Carrasquillo,
partment of Civil and Mineral Engi- sive Strength of 4-in. x 8-in. versus 6-in. R. L., "Production of High-Strength
neering, University of Minnesota. The x 12-in. Concrete Cylinders Along with Concrete," Research Report No. 315-lF,
views expressed herein are those of the Investigation of Concrete Compres- Center for Transportation Research,
the authors and do not necessarily re- sive Strength at 56 Days," Report No. 3- University of Texas, Austin, TX, Octo-
flect the views of the sponsors. I-4-116, Materials and Tests Division, ber 1983, 286 pp.
PCI JOURNAL 87
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