Effect of elevated curing temperatures on the strength and durability of concrete

In recent years, high core temperatures of 77–93°C of mass concrete elements during curing have been recorded by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). These curing temperatures have been recorded while still maintaining the maximum differential temperature of 20°C between the core and exterior of mass concrete elements as specified by the FDOT. This study was conducted to evaluate the strength and durability of concrete subjected to elevated curing temperatures. Using typical FDOT class IV mass concrete mixes; it is shown that elevated curing temperature resulted in lower later-age strengths. Blending the cement with fly ash and slag, resulted in increased strength and durability when compared to the plain cement mixes.