Effect of water curing temperature on compressive strength development and water absorption capacity of mortar mixtures

Abstract

In this study, the effect of different curing temperature processes on the 1, 3, 7 and 28-day compressive strength and 28-day water absorption ratios of mortar mixtures were investigated. All mortar mixtures were prepared according to ASTM C109. The water/cement ratio, sand/binder ratio and flow values of mortar mixture were kept constant as 0.485, 2.75 and 25 +/- 2 cm, respectively. Polycarboxylate ether-based high range water reducing admixture was used for providing desired flow value. All mortar mixtures were cured at fresh state in a curing room under the same conditions (Temperature of 20 degrees C and Relative humanity (RH) of 95%) during 24 hours from casting. Then, specimens were subjected to 6 different water-curing conditions. According to test results, the 3-day compressive strength of mixtures cured in water having a temperature of 40 degrees C was higher than that of mixtures cured at 20 degrees C in water. At early ages, the high curing temperature negatively affected the 7 and 28-day compressive strength of mixtures. Specimens cured in water at 20 degrees C and 40 degrees C had the highest and lowest 28-day compressive strengths, respectively. Different curing conditions had no significant effect on the 28-day water absorption ratios of mortar mixtures.