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In spite of all its advantages, the time factor is one major concrete mixes [3], the designer is fixing the W/C for the
cause for the construction engineers to go for proper mix first trial based on Table 5 of IS 456:2000 [4] and his personal
designs. In Indian conditions, it is often not possible to get experience and not based on the cube strength of cement
materials from the same source throughout the construction cubes. Accordingly in accelerated design also, the step of
stage. Each time when the materials (especially cement) finding the strength of the reference cube gets eliminated
changes, spending 45-60 days for a fresh design is often and that makes the procedure further simple.
impractical. This demands a lookout for other options.
The method developed by the national council for building Hence, the mix design procedure is exactly the same as
materials [1] based on accelerated curing of concrete described in IS 10262:2009 for normal design of concrete
(IS 9013:1978, reaffirmed in 2004) is apparently an exciting mixes and the only difference is that the 28-days can
be determined on the next day (as described below by
solution to this problem as it can produce the results in two
accelerated test procedure) of casting of cubes and then it
to three days. An inquest is made here on the reliability
can be compared with the required target strengths.
of this method on practical problems.
Accelerated test procedure [2]: After the specimens are cast (150
Introduction
mm cubes), they should be kept in a humid environment (90%
It is established that a statistically significant correlation humidity and 27+2oC temperature for 23 hours + 15 minutes
exists between its 28-days strength and accelerated strength (time should be counted from the time of addition of water to the
[2]. Tests conducted on different grades of concrete, and ingredients). The specimens shall then be gently lowered into
using different brands of cements from different parts the curing tank containing boiling water and shall be kept in
of the country have proved that this correlation is not that condition for 3 ½ hours + 5 minutes. Then the specimens
affected by variations in grades of concrete and types of shall be removed from the boiling water, removed from the
cement [2]. As per the new guidelines for the design of mould and cooled by immersing in water (27+2oC temperature)
Table 1. Comparison of the 28 days strength arrived at by the accelerated test procedure with those achieved by normal procedure
Average Average
Average (of 3 cubes) 28 days strength determined
(of 3 cubes) (of 3 cubes)
Mix proportion by accelerated curing method (N/mm2)
W/C 7 days 28 days
(per cubic meter of concrete)
strength strength
(N/mm2) (N/mm2) Ra R28=1.64*Ra+8.09
Scrutiny of the Correlation Equation by the Bureau of Indian Standards. To develop and suggest
a new correlation equation, much extensive studies and
The equation correlating the accelerated strength and the
data analysis are required. But to establish that the current
28 days strength is basically a linear fit.
method is not dependable, these studies are ample. It is an
V. Jayadevan received his B.Tech. (civil) from Government Engineering College, Thrissur and his M.S. in
Building Technology, from IIT, Chennai. His areas of interest are concrete mix design, building materials,
functional design of building. He is recognised as the person who developed an alternative method for
computing target scores in limited over cricket matches. The system named ‘VJD’ is being used in Indian
Domestic matches for the seventh year now. Taking VRS from KERI Peechi, he is now working as a
visiting Professor in the Vidya Academy of Science and Technology, Thalakkottukara, Thrissur
V.R. Vlasalakumary holds a diploma in civil engineering and has vast experience in the field of testing
of building materials and conducting concrete mix designs. She is associated with the construction
materials lab for the past seven years.
O.B. Sufeera received her B.Tech. in civil engineering from Government Engineering College, Thrissur.
She is associated with the construction Materials Lab since 2010 and has good experience in structural
design of multistoreyed buildings.