Developing a Simple and Rapid Test for Monitoring the Heat Evolution of Concrete Mixtures for Both Laboratory and Field Applications Final Report January 2006 Sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration (Project 17, Phase I) Iowa State University’s Center for Transportation Research and Education is the umbrella organization for the following centers and programs: Bridge Engineering Center • Center for Weather Impacts on Mobility and Safety • Construction Management & Technology • Iowa Local Technical Assistance Program • Iowa Traffi c Safety Data Service • Midwest Transportation Consortium • National Concrete Pavement Technology Center • Partnership for Geotechnical Advancement • Roadway Infrastructure Management and Operations Systems • Statewide Urban Design and Specifications • Traffic Safety and Operations About the National Concrete Pavement Technology Center The mission of the National Concrete Pavement Technology Center is to unite key transportation stakeholders around the central goal of advancing concrete pavement technology through research, tech transfer, and technology implementation. 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Inquiries can be directed to the Director of Equal Opportunity and Diversity at Iowa State University, (515) 294-7612. Technical Report Documentation Page 1. Report No. 2. Government Accession No. 3. Recipient’s Catalog No. FHWA DTF61-01-00042 (Project 17, Phase I) 4. Title and Subtitle 5. Report Date Developing a Simple and Rapid Test for Monitoring the Heat Evolution of Concrete January 2006 Mixtures for Both Laboratory and Field Applications 6. Performing Organization Code 7. Author(s) 8. Performing Organization Report No. Kejin Wang, Zhi Ge, Jim Grove, J. Mauricio Ruiz, Rob Rasmussen 9. Performing Organization Name and Address 10. Work Unit No. (TRAIS) Center for Transportation Research and Education Iowa State University 11. Contract or Grant No. 2901 South Loop Drive, Suite 3100 Ames, IA 50010-8634 12. Sponsoring Organization Name and Address 13. Type of Report and Period Covered Federal Highway Administration Final Report U. S. Department of Transportation 14. Sponsoring Agency Code 400 7th Street SW, HIPT-20 Washington, DC 20590 15. Supplementary Notes Visit www.ctre.iastate.edu for color PDF files of this and other research reports. 16. Abstract Various test methods exist for measuring heat of cement hydration; however, most current methods require expensive equipment, complex testing procedures, and/or extensive time, thus not being suitable for field application. The objectives of this research are to identify, develop, and evaluate a standard test procedure for characterization and quality control of pavement concrete mixtures using a calorimetry technique. This research project has three phases. Phase I was designed to identify the user needs, including performance requirements and precision and bias limits, and to synthesize existing test methods for monitoring the heat of hydration, including device types, configurations, test procedures, measurements, advantages, disadvantages, applications, and accuracy. Phase II was designed to conduct experimental work to evaluate the calorimetry equipment recommended from the Phase I study and to develop a standard test procedure for using the equipment and interpreting the test results. Phase II also includes the development of models and computer programs for prediction of concrete pavement performance based on the characteristics of heat evolution curves. Phase III was designed to study for further development of a much simpler, inexpensive calorimeter for field concrete. In this report, the results from the Phase I study are presented, the plan for the Phase II study is described, and the recommendations for Phase III study are outlined. Phase I has been completed through three major activities: (1) collecting input and advice from the members of the project Technical Working Group (TWG), (2) conducting a literature survey, and (3) performing trials at the CP Tech Center’s research lab. The research results indicate that in addition to predicting maturity/strength, concrete heat evolution test results can also be used for (1) forecasting concrete setting time, (2) specifying curing period, (3) estimating risk of thermal cracking, (4) assessing pavement sawing/finishing time, (5) characterizing cement features, (6) identifying incompatibility of cementitious materials, (7) verifying concrete mix proportions, and (8) selecting materials and/or mix designs for given environmental conditions. Besides concrete materials and mix proportions, the configuration of the calorimeter device, sample size, mixing procedure, and testing environment (temperature) also have significant influences on features of concrete heat evolution process. The research team has found that although various calorimeter tests have been conducted for assorted purposes and the potential uses of calorimeter tests are clear, there is no consensus on how to utilize the heat evolution curves to characterize concrete materials and how to effectively relate the characteristics of heat evolution curves to concrete pavement performance. The goal of the Phase II study is to close these gaps. 17. Key Words 18. Distribution Statement adiabatic testing—calorimeter devices—calorimetry testing—cement hydration— No restrictions. cement heat evolution—concrete maturity testing—concrete quality control—heat evolution curves-isothermal testing—HIPERPAV software 19. Security Classification (of this report) 20. Security Classification (of 21. No. of Pages 22. Price this page) Unclassified. Unclassified. 75 NA Form DOT F 1700.7 (8-72) Reproduction of completed page authorized DEVELOPING A SIMPLE AND RAPID TEST FOR MONITORING THE HEAT EVOLUTION OF CONCRETE MIXTURES FOR BOTH LABORATORY AND FIELD APPLICATIONS Final Report January 2006 Principal Investigator Kejin Wang, Assistant Professor Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering Iowa State University Co-Principal Investigators Jim Grove Center for Transportation Research and Education Iowa State University J. Mauricio Ruiz and Rob Rasmussen Transtec Group Research Assistant Zhi Ge Authors Kejin Wang, Zhi Ge, Jim Grove, J. Mauricio Ruiz, and Rob Rasmussen Sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration (Project 17, Phase I) A report from Center for Transportation Research and Education Iowa State University 2901 South Loop Drive, Suite 3100 Ames, IA 50010-8634 Phone: 515-294-8103 Fax: 515-294-0467 www.ctre.iastate.edu TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ............................................................................................................ IX EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .......................................................................................................... XI INTRODUCTION ...........................................................................................................................1 Background and Problem Statement....................................................................................1 Research Objectives.............................................................................................................2 Research Approach and Scope ............................................................................................3 Summary of Phase I Study...................................................................................................3 LITERATURE REVIEW ................................................................................................................5 Cement Hydration................................................................................................................5 Existing Test Methods .......................................................................................................17 Existing Temperature Datalogger and Sensors..................................................................20 Existing Models for Heat of Hydration and Methods for Test Data Analyses..................20 Other Related Research (Use of Dewar)............................................................................25 Different Types of Dewar ..................................................................................................25 Effect of Sample Size.........................................................................................................26 Effect of Curing Environment ...........................................................................................27 Effect of Mineral Admixtures............................................................................................27 SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS................................................................................29