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Experimental study on strength gaining characteristics of concrete using

Portland Composite Cement

Article  in  KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering · May 2013

DOI: 10.1007/s12205-013-0236-x

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KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering (2013) 17(4):789-796 Structural Engineering
DOI 10.1007/s12205-013-0236-x
www.springer.com/12205

Experimental Study on Strength Gaining Characteristics

of Concrete using Portland Composite Cement
Md. Alhaz Uddin*, Mohammed Jameel**, Habibur Rahman Sobuz***,
Md. Shahinul Islam****, and Noor Md. Sadiqul Hasan*****
Received May 13, 2012/Revised July 11, 2012/Accepted August 19, 2012

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Abstract

This study deals with experimental investigation of strength gaining characteristics of concrete made with Portland Composite
Cement (PCC) and Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC). Compressive strength of concrete is often considered as a measure to
determine the rate of strength gain of concrete with age and different cement composition. Strength developments of five concrete
types have been investigated in terms of cement content and curing duration. Experimental observations on 495 specimens reveal
that the early age strength of PCC concrete is lower than that of OPC concrete. Based on the test results, lack of proper pozzolanic
reaction in the presence of fly ash in PCC concrete strength is lower at early age. The pozzolanic activity of fly ash also contributes to
the strength gain at later stages of continuous curing. This study also concludes that drying ambient conditions reduce the strength
potential of PCC concrete as the secondary (pozzolanic) reaction fails to contribute to the development of strength.
Keywords: strength gain, cement composition, curing time, compressive strength, pozzolanic reaction
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1. Introduction stage. Strength development in concrete at early stage due to effect

The strength of concrete is one of the most important engineering
properties of construction materials. There are many factors
affecting the rate of strength gain of concrete. Concrete is composed
of cement as well as other cementitious materials such as fly ash,
slag, coarse aggregate, fine aggregate, water, and chemical
admixtures. In building construction sector, there is a common
complain that concrete does not gain target strength within specified
period (28 days). A decision should be taken at the time (28 days) to
remove formwork depend on the rate of strength gain of the concrete
considering safety, economy and quality. Freiesleben and Pedersen
(1977) reported that the rate of strength gain of concrete depends on
temperature. In view of Saul (1951) and Kim et al. (1998)
investigation, the strength gain of concrete is subjected to combined
effect of curing time and temperature during hardening process.
They found that the concrete gain strength at early-age subjected to a
high temperature. In an experimental study, Price (1951) and
Zhutovsky and Kovler (2012) pointed out that due to the first 2 hrs
of curing at high temperature concrete gain a higher strength at early
of curing temperature was reported by Klieger (1958) and Toe et al.
(2010). Strength at any given age and rate of strength gain of mortars
and concretes containing fly ash will depend on the pozzolanic
reactivity of the fly ash (Jansen et al., 2012; Wongkeo et al., 2012),
the richness of the mix, the character and grading of the aggregate,
the water content of the mix and the curing conditions (Brue et al.,
2012; El-Nemr, 2011; Hobbs, 1983). Sometimes dying ambient
disorders significantly reduce the strength potential of concrete
made with PCC for secondary (pozzolanic) reaction fails to
contribute to gain of strength (Mahasneh and Shawabkeh, 2004;
Razak and Sajedi, 2011; Sata et al., 2012).
Incorporation of fly ash in concrete improves workability and
thereby reduces the water requirement with respect to the
conventional concrete. Among numerous other beneficial
effects are reduced bleeding, reduced segregation, reduced
permeability, increased plasticity, lowered heat of hydration
(Shafiq 2011), and increased setting times (ACI, 1987;
Mahasneh and Shawabkeh, 2004). A critical drawback of the
use of fly ash in concrete is that the rate of strength gain of fly

*Ph.D. Candidate, School of Civil, Environmental and Mining Engineering, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, 5005, Australia (Cor-
responding Author, E-mail: mauce52@siswa.um.edu.my)
**Senior Lecturer, Dept. of Civil Engineering, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (E-mail: jameel@um.edu.my)
***Ph.D. Candidate, School of Civil, Environmental and Mining Engineering, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, 5005, Australia (E-mail:
habibkuet@gmail.com)
****Researcher, Dept. of Civil Engineering, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Bangladesh (E-mail: shahinul02@gmail.com)
*****Lecturer, School of Civil Engineering, Linton University College, Legenda Education Group, 71700 Mantin, Malaysia (E-mail: noorhasan@legend-
agroup.edu.my)

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 Md. Alhaz Uddin, Mohammed Jameel, Habibur Rahman Sobuz, Md. Shahinul Islam, and Noor Md. Sadiqul Hasan

ash concrete is slower but it is sustained for longer periods than Table 1. Physical Properties of Fine and Coarse Aggregate
the rate of the strength increase of Portland cement concrete Properties Local sand Crushed stone
(Chindaprasirt et al., 2005; Hwang et al., 2004). Kaosar (2006) Maximum aggregate size (mm) 2.36 19
has made a study on brick aggregate concrete with varying Bulk Specific gravity 2.56 2.71
amount of fly ash content where fly ash were added directly at Absorption capacity (%) 1.21 0.45
the time of mixing. Then compressive strength and two types Unit weight (kg/m3) - 1556
of durability test such as chloride resistance (Florea and Fineness modulus 2.73 6.74
Brouwers, 2012) and sulfate resistance tests have been
performed to evaluate the effects of fly ash on strength and
durability of brick aggregate concrete (Ahmadi and Shekarchi,
2010; Golestanifar and Ahangari, 2011). Cement manufacturing
companies of Bangladesh have been using fly ash in cement to
minimize the rising production cost of cement. These fly ash
containing cement are available in the market named as
“Portland Composite Cement”. It is observed that the
proportions of different ingredients of PCCs are varied among
the different cement manufacturing companies. Thus, it is
necessary to investigate the strength gaining property of
concrete made with PCC both at early and later ages.
In this study, strength development of five different composition
cement types has been investigated in terms of different
curing condition. In the framework of experimental study
during 365 days; mortars have been prepared with different Fig. 1. Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse Aggregate
composition cement such as clinker, fly ash, gypsum, slag
and limestone which kept at two different curing conditions. also shown in Table 1.
It is found that PCC concrete has shown lower early age The gradations of fine and coarse aggregates have been
strength than OPC whereas, at later ages both of the concrete obtained by sieve analysis (Fig. 1), according to standard ASTM
is providing approximately similar strength characteristics C 136. A suitable gradation of an aggregate in PCC and OPC
due to continuous curing conditions and well performed mixture is important in order to secure strength gain of the
pozzolanic reaction activities. concrete mix (Celik et al., 2008; Sharifi, 2012). The fineness
modulus of fine and coarse aggregate are obtained from sieve
2. Materials and Methods analysis is 2.73 and 6.74 respectively.

This experimental study represents a general scenario of the 2.1.2 Properties of Cement
strength gain characteristics of concrete made with PCC and Cement is a cementitious material in concrete mixture. The
OPC both at earlier and later ages. All properties of concrete properties of concrete ingredients (coarse aggregate, fine aggregate,
ingredients are kept constant and cement type is varying with water) have been kept constant, only the cement type has been
different composition. The work is performed using locally changed. In this project PCC of four different types and one
available materials such as stone chips, sand (Coarse Sand) and Ordinary (ASTM Type I) Portland Cement (OPC) have been
cement (Portland composite and ordinary Portland). The used in making concrete. Specific gravity of OPC is 3.15. The
concrete have been cured in two different ways, one set of chemical compositions and cement ingredient of different type
concrete specimens have been cured continuously until they are
tested while the other set of concrete specimens have been cured
only 14 days under water to know effect of continuous curing Table 2. Chemical Composition of PCC and OPC
over 14 days curing (Zhao et al., 2012). Constituent PCC OPC
SiO2 20.60 19.24
2.1 Materials Properties Al2O3 4.74 4.78
Fe2O3 3.28 2.90
2.1.1 Properties of Aggregate CaO 64.82 64.05
Aggregate act as an inert filler in concrete providing improved MgO 1.84 1.65
volume stability. Locally available coarse sand has been used for SO3 2.4 3.36
this project as fine aggregate. The physical properties of fine Na2O 0.21 0.25
aggregate are shown in Table 1. Crushed stone has been used in K2O 0.38 0.81
LOI 1.73 2.96
this project as coarse aggregate whose physical properties are

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 Experimental Study on Strength Gaining Characteristics of Concrete using Portland Composite Cement

Table 3. Proportions of Ingredients in Cements

PCC OPC
Ingredient
Type-A (%) Type-B (%) Type-C (%) Type-D (%) Type-E (%)
Clinker 66.4 74.53 72.32 87.56 96.47
Gypsum 3.36 3.21 2.90 1.77 3.53
Slag, Fly Ash, Limestone 30.24 22.26 24.78 10.67 -

Table 4. Amount of Ingredients Required for Making Concrete

Target strength (MPa) Slump (mm) Cement (Kg/m3) Water (Kg/m3) Fine aggregate (Kg/m3) Coarse aggregate (Kg/m3)
17.24 (76-101) 476.74 357.46 1460.53 1798.11
27.58 (25-51) 581.55 331.21 1442.77 1798.11
41.37 (25-51) 807.95 331.21 1255.94 1798.11

Table 5. w/c Ratio of Concrete Mixtures vibrating table (Fig. 2). After that, leaving the molded concrete
28 day compressive Non air Air specimens in place of hardening for a period of 24 h, and then de-
strength (MPa) Entrained Entrained molded. The total 495 numbers of concrete specimens have been
17.24 0.75 0.67 prepared according to different curing condition (continuously
27.58 0.57 0.48 curing and only 14 days curing). In this project PCC of four different
41.37 0.41 --- compositions and one OPC have been used in making concrete for
target strength of 17.24 MPa, 27.58 MPa and 41.37 MPa.

are shown in Table 2 and Table 3, respectively. 2.2.2 Curing of Specimens

Concrete specimens have been cured in two different ways,
2.2 Mixture Compositions
According to ACI mix design method, the required quantity of
cement, sand, fine aggregate and coarse aggregate have been
mixed for target strength of 17.24 MPa, 27.58 MPa and 41.37
MPa (Table 4). Concrete mixtures have been proportioned using
w/c ratios (Table 5) in air entrained and non-air entrained
condition. Slump value of mixtures was different according to
target strength as shown in Table 4.

2.2.1 Preparation of Test Specimens

Concrete specimen have been casted for the target strength of
17.24 MPa, 27.58 MPa and 41.37 MPa using PCC of four
different types and one OPC. The steel molds (cylindrical in
shape with 100 mm diameter and 200 mm height) have been
used for casting of all specimens and then, compacted using a Fig. 3. Placing of Concrete Specimens into the Curing Tank

Fig. 2. Preparing of Concrete Specimens: (a) Casting, (b) Compacting on Vibration Table

Vol. 17, No. 4 / May 2013 − 791 −

 Md. Alhaz Uddin, Mohammed Jameel, Habibur Rahman Sobuz, Md. Shahinul Islam, and Noor Md. Sadiqul Hasan

Fig. 4. Compressive Strength Test: (a) Applying Load on the Concrete Cylinder by Compression Test Machine, (b) Failure Surface of the
Crushed Concrete Cylinder

one set of concrete specimens have been cured continuously until

testing while the other set of concrete specimens have been cured
only 14 days under water in the laboratory. These 14 days cured
specimens have been kept in air until testing. A curing tank has
been constructed for curing the concrete specimens properly
(Fig. 3). The temperature of the curing water varies from 20 to
25oC and relative humidity 55 to 75%.

2.3 Testing Procedure

The rate of strength gain with age of concrete is determined in
accordance with ASTM C39 (1996). Compressive strength is one of
the most important and useful properties of concrete. It usually gives
Fig. 6. Comparison of Compressive Strength Gain with Age of
an overall picture of the quality of concrete because it is directly
Concrete made with Various Cement for 27.58 MPa
related to the structure of the hardened cement paste (Ozturk and
Baradan, 2011; Woo et al., 2011). Compressive strength test (Fig. 4)
of moist cured concrete specimens has been carried out after removal
from moist storage. The compressive strength of concrete cylinders
has been tested at 3, 7, 14, 28, 90, 180, 365 days of concrete.

3. Test Results and Discussion

3.1 Relative Strength Gain

PCC and OPC concrete shows different characteristics in
strength development at early and later ages. Figs. 5-7 shows the

Fig. 7. Comparison of Compressive Strength Gain with Age of

Concrete made with Various Cement for 41.37 MPa

variation of strength gain characteristics of concrete at early and

Fig. 5. Comparison of Compressive Strength Gain with Age of
Concrete made with Various Cement for 17.24 MPa
later ages with cement type at continuous curing condition that
have been designed for target strengths of 17.24 MPa, 27.58
MPa and 41.37 MPa, respectively.
It can be seen from Fig. 5 that the relative strength gain of PCC
and OPC concrete for target strength of 17.24 MPa. As seen
from Fig. 5, the compressive strength increases in all specimens
with time. The percentage of target compressive strength gain at
early ages (3 days, 7 days, 14 days) of PCC concrete is lower
than that of OPC concrete but at later ages (180 days) is almost

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 Experimental Study on Strength Gaining Characteristics of Concrete using Portland Composite Cement

same. The only exception is found in case of cement type-D

where the percentage of target compressive strength gain of
concrete at early age (3 days) is higher than other kinds (type-A,
type-B, type-C), since type-D contains highest percentage of
clinker 87.56% thus lower percentage of fly ash whereas cement
type A and C contain 66.4% and 72.32% clinker respectively
and type-B contains 74.53% clinker. Fig. 5 also shows that the
strength gain curve fitting for all cement composition of target
strength 17.24 MPa. The best cement composition is:
fc (OPC)E = 0.0322Ln(t) + 14.372 with R2 = 0.6191 (1)
and worst cement composition is:
fc (PCC)B = 0.0421Ln(t) + 10.617 with R2 = 0.706 (2) Fig. 8. Variation of Target Strength at 7 and 28 days with Cement
type for 17.24 MPa Target Strength
where fc is compressive strength in MPa, t is age of specimen in
days, and R2 is the coefficient of correlation.
The relative strength gain of concrete for target strength of 27.58
MPa for PCC and OPC which is shown in Fig. 6. It can be seen from
Fig. 6 that PCC concrete have gained 15 percent less strength at 14
days of age than that of OPC conrete. But at the later age, they have
gained similar percentage of target strength at continuous curing
condition. The only exception is found in case of cement type-D
where the percentage of target compressive strength gain of concrete
at early age (3 days) is higher than PCC concrete of cement types
(type-A, type-B, type-C) since type-D contains higher percentage of
clinker thus lower percentage of fly ash. Fig. 6 also shows that the
strength gain curve fitting for all cement composition of target
strength 27.58 MPa. The best cement composition is:
Fig. 9. Variation of Target Strength at 7 and 28 days with Cement
fc (OPC)E = 0.0448Ln(t) + 19.406 with R2 = 0.5551 (3) type for 27.58 MPa Target Strength
and worst cement composition is:
fc (PCC)C = 0.0542Ln(t) + 16.005 with R2 = 0.6267 (4)
where fc is compressive strength in MPa, t is age of specimen in
days, and R2 is the coefficient of correlation.
The relative strength gain of PCC and OPC concrete for target
strength of 41.37 MPa is shown in Fig. 7. It is found that PCC
concrete gains 15 to 20 percent less strength at early ages (3
days, 7 days, 14 days) than OPC concrete. But at later ages (180
days), PCC have gained only 5 percent less strength than of OPC
concrete at continuous curing condition. Fig. 7 also shows that
the strength gain curve fitting for all cement composition of
target strength 41.37 MPa. The best cement composition is:
Fig. 10. Variation of Target Strength at 7 and 28 days with Cement
fc (OPC)E = 0.0383Ln(t) + 32.657 with R2 = 0.5288 (5) type for 41.37 MPa Target Strength
and worst cement composition is:
fc (PCC)B = 0.0573Ln(t) + 25.057 with R2 = 0.6242 (6)
target strength of 17.24 MPa has gained 55 to 60 percent and 80
where fc is compressive strength in MPa, t is age of specimen in to 85 percent of target strength at 7 days and 28 days of age at
days, and R2 is the coefficient of correlation. continuous curing condition. At 14 days curing condition, it has
gained 80 percent of its target strength at 28 days of age. On the
3.2 Development of Compressive Strength of Concrete at other hand, OPC concrete type E has gained 75 percent and 100
Early Ages percent of the target strength at 7 days and 28 days of age of
Figure 8 shows that PCC concrete type A, B, C and D for concrete at continuous curing condition and 95 percent of target

Vol. 17, No. 4 / May 2013 − 793 −

 Md. Alhaz Uddin, Mohammed Jameel, Habibur Rahman Sobuz, Md. Shahinul Islam, and Noor Md. Sadiqul Hasan

strength at 28 days of age at 14 days curing condition.

Figure 9 shows that PCC concrete type A, B, C and D for
target strength of 27.58 MPa has gained 50 to 60 percent and
80 percent of target strength at 7 days and 28 days of age at
continuous curing condition. At 14 days curing condition, it
has gained 75 to 80 percent of its target strength at 28 days of
age. On the other hand, OPC concrete type E has gained 60
percent and 95 percent of the target strength at 7 days and 28
days of age of concrete at continuous curing condition and 90
percent of target strength at 28 days of age at 14 days curing
condition.
Fig. 11. Time Required for Gaining Full Target Strength at Different
Figure 10 shows that PCC concrete type A, B, C and D for
Cement Type at Continuous Curing Condition
target strength of 41.37 MPa has gained 55 to 60 percent and 80
percent of target strength at 7 days and 28 days of age at
continuous curing condition. At 14 days curing condition, it has with PCC relative to OPC to gain full target strengths of 17.24
gained 75 to 80 percent of its target strength at 28 days of age. MPa, 27.58 MPa and 41.37 MPa respectively. It is found that PCC
On the other hand, OPC concrete type E has gained 70 percent concrete for target strengths of 17.24 MPa, 27.58 MPa and 41.37
and 95 percent of the target strength at 7 and 28 days of age of MPa required 50 to 70 days, 80 to 100 days and 180 to 200 days
concrete at continuous curing condition and 90 percent of target respectively to gain full target strength. At the same condition, OPC
strength at 28 days of age at 14 days curing condition. concrete for target strengths of 17.24 MPa, 27.58 MPa and 41.37
MPa required 30 days, 40 days and 90 days respectively to gain full
3.3 Time Required to Gain Full Target Strength target strength.
The time required to gain the full target strength of PCC and OPC
concrete have been estimated when they are cured at continuous 3.4 Effect of Curing on Strength Development of Concrete
curing condition. Fig. 11 shows the time required by concrete made Concrete properties are significantly influenced by curing

Table 6. Compressive Strength Gain with Age of Concrete for 17.24 MPa
% of Compressive strength
Cement Type Curing condition
28 days 90 days 180 days 365 days
14 days curing 084.72 101.04 113.6 119.52
A(PCC)
Continuous curing 087.56 102.92 121.32 132.4
14 days curing 083.56 104.76 113.72 119.2
B(PCC)
Continuous curing 084.96 105.28 123.84 135.56
14 days curing 084.68 108.96 117.92 124.28
C(PCC)
Continuous curing 090.84 111.92 127.48 137.88
14 days curing 087.64 110.2 118.2 123.2
D(PCC)
Continuous curing 092.04 110.48 126.44 137.04
14 days curing 101 115.92 122.08 126.72
E(OPC)
Continuous curing 102.72 119.8 132.36 138.12

Table 7. Compressive Strength Gain with Age of Concrete for 27.58 MPa
% of Compressive strength
Cement Type Curing condition
28 days 90 days 180 days 365 days
14 days curing 78.175 087.625 090.675 092.85
A(PCC)
Continuous curing 79.575 098.825 103.075 107.025
14 days curing 74.15 090.35 097.225 098.7
B(PCC)
Continuous curing 76.65 096.95 111.125 117.175
14 days curing 79.65 096.325 101.55 104.1
C(PCC)
Continuous curing 81.9 099.7 108.075 115.6
14 days curing 83.55 096.7 103.55 105.55
D(PCC)
Continuous curing 84.65 102.925 113.675 121.35
14 days curing 94.4 101.2 107.125 109.8
E(OPC)
Continuous curing 95.85 105.175 112.725 117.075

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 Experimental Study on Strength Gaining Characteristics of Concrete using Portland Composite Cement

Table 8. Compressive Strength Gain with Age of Concrete for 41.37 MPa
% of Compressive strength
Cement Type Curing condition
28 days 90 days 180 days 365 days
14 days curing 82.37 088.58 090.63 089.75
A(PCC)
Continuous curing 83.20 091.63 096.93 101.87
14 days curing 75.12 085.02 089.08 090.87
B(PCC)
Continuous curing 77.37 090.22 095.92 101.05
14 days curing 80.27 090.48 092.88 094.35
C(PCC)
Continuous curing 80.78 093.97 099.17 104.30
14 days curing 85.48 092.02 094.05 095.20
D(PCC)
Continuous curing 86.42 095.83 100.13 102.62
14 days curing 91.00 094.43 097.10 097.92
E(OPC)
Continuous curing 93.23 100.97 103.38 104.92

since it greatly effects the hydration of cement. A proper curing
maintains a suitably warm and moist environment for the
development of hydration products and thus reduces the porosity in
hydrated cement paste and increases the density of microstructure
in concrete.
Table 6 shows that PCC concrete specimens have gained full
target strength (17.24 MPa) within 90 days at 14 days curing
condition. Concrete specimens have gained 120 to 140 percent
of target strength after 365 days for 14 days curing and
continuous curing condition. OPC concrete have gained 140
percent and 125 percent of target strength at continuous curing
and 14 days curing condition respectively after 365 days.
Table 7 shows that PCC concrete specimens have gained full
target strength (27.58 MPa) within 180 days at 14 days curing
condition. Concrete specimens have gained 110 to 120 percent
and 95 to 105 percent of target strength after 365 days at
continuous curing and 14 days curing condition respectively.
OPC concrete have gained 120 percent and 110 percent of target
strength at continuous curing and 14 days curing condition
respectively after 365 days.
Table 8 shows that PCC concrete specimens have failed to gain
full target strength (41.37 MPa) within 365 days at 14 days
curing condition. Concrete specimens have gained 100 percent
and 90 percent of target strength after 365 days at continuous
curing and 14 days curing condition respectively. OPC concrete
have gained 105 percent and 95 percent of target strength at
continuous curing and 14 days curing condition respectively
after 365 days. It is suggested that adequate curing at early ages
as well as later ages is essential to continue the pozzolanic
reaction in concrete which contribute to the development of
strength of concrete made with PCC.
4. Conclusions
This experimental study has investigated the strength gain
characteristics of five different composition cement types in
terms of different curing conditions. The compressive strength
gain at early ages of Portland cement concrete is lower than that
of ordinary Portland cement concrete. Lack of proper Pozzolanic
reaction in the presence of fly ash in PCC concrete strength is
lower at early age. The pozzolanic activity of fly ash also
contributes to the strength gain at later stages of continuous
curing. But at later ages, the strength of PCC concrete and OPC
is almost same to continuous curing. At continuous curing
condition, PCC concrete for the target strengths of 17.24 MPa,
27.58 MPa, and 41.37 MPa requires 50 to 70 days, 80 to 100
days and 180 to 200 days respectively to gain full target strength
and at 14 days curing condition, it requires 90 days and 180 days
to gain the target strength of 17.24 MPa and 27.58 MPa
respectively. But it fails to gain the target strength of 41.37 MPa
in 365days at 14 days curing condition. The compressive
strength of five different compositions cement increased with
increasing curing time. Adequate curing at early ages as well as
at later ages is essential in the strength development of PCC
concrete. It can be concluded that drying ambient conditions
reduce the strength potential of PCC concrete as the secondary
(pozzolanic) reaction fails to contribute to the development of
strength. This characteristics of strength development can
significantly increase the use of PCC in construction of mass
concrete to be used in water related structure.
Acknowledgements
The authors gratefully acknowledge Civil Engineering Department
of Bangladesh University of Engineering & Technology and the
grant RG093-10AET provided by University of Malaya.
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