Accelerated Testing Methods for Early-Stage Concrete Strength Assessment:

ASTM C 684 and C 918

The need for rapid construction in the concrete industry has made early-stage concrete strength
assessment increasingly important. Traditional testing methods rely on 28-day strength results, which
can lead to delays, especially in large-scale projects where waiting for these results can be costly.
Early evaluation of concrete strength is critical for both safety and economic efficiency. To address
this need, ASTM Subcommittee C09.02.09 was established in 1964, leading to the development of
accelerated strength testing methods: ASTM C 684 and ASTM C 918. These methods offer timely
insights into concrete strength, which is essential for efficient project timelines and quality control.

 Accelerated Curing Methods

ASTM Subcommittee C09.02.09 explored various accelerated testing procedures, such as hot water
immersion and autogenous curing, to accelerate concrete strength development. A cooperative testing
program involving nine laboratories evaluated these methods for their ability to measure accelerated
concrete strength.

The experimental program involved various cement types, including Portland cement types I and III,
with varying cement contents and air-entraining admixtures. These methods compared accelerated
strengths measured at early ages (1–2 days) with standard-cured strengths measured at 28 and 364
days.

 Accelerated Curing Apparatus

To accelerate curing, thermostatically controlled water tanks were used for hot or boiling water
immersion. Autogenous curing involved using insulated containers to trap heat from hydration, speeding
up the concrete strength development.
  Results and Analysis

The tests confirmed that accelerated curing methods could provide reliable early-age strength data. The
goal was to establish strong relationships between accelerated and standard-cured concrete strengths.
Key procedures that were evaluated and incorporated into ASTM C 684 include:

 Procedure A (Warm Water): Concrete cylinders were immersed in water at 33–37°C for 24 hours,
showing a 1.1 to 1.6 times increase in strength compared to standard moist curing.

 Procedure B (Modified Boiling): Concrete cylinders underwent 23 hours of standard moist curing,
followed by immersion in boiling water. This method showed a strength increase of 1.1 to 2.1
times compared to standard curing.

 Procedure D (Autogenous Curing): In autogenous curing, concrete cylinders were placed in

The relationship between accelerated strength and 28-day strength was strong within each laboratory,
though varying across labs due to material and cement type differences.

 Significance of Test Procedures

The testing subcommittee found that the correlation between accelerated and standard-cured strength
could be represented by a linear equation:

S28=B0+B1SaS_{28} = B_0 + B_1 S_a

Where:

 S28S_{28} is the 28-day standard-cured strength,

 SaS_a is the accelerated strength for a specific procedure,

 B0B_0 is the intercept,

 B1B_1 is the slope.

This equation was tested in various laboratories, revealing that the accuracy of accelerated strength
tests varied by lab but could be consistently predicted with regression analysis.

 Test Precision and Cement Chemistry

Although results varied across labs, the variance in replicate measurements was consistent enough to
develop a precision statement. A study also revealed that the sodium alkali content of cement was a
key factor influencing one-day accelerated strengths, contributing to differences observed across
laboratories.
  High Temperature and Pressure Method

In 1978, a new accelerated strength testing procedure utilizing high temperature and pressure (HTP)
was introduced, drastically reducing testing time to just 5 hours. Concrete cylinders were exposed to
149°C under a compressive stress of 10.3 MPa for three hours. This method showed that accelerated
strengths ranged from 22% to 90% of the 28-day strengths, depending on the mix type and conditions.

The HTP method was compared to other procedures and was accepted into ASTM C 684 in 1989,
despite concerns about the effects of high temperature and pressure on hydration. It proved to be a
reliable, quick method for assessing concrete strength and was included as an alternative procedure.

 Maturity Method for Later-Age Strength Estimation

The maturity method, formalized in ASTM C 918, involves measuring the temperature history of concrete
specimens to determine the maturity index, which helps predict later-age strength development. By
monitoring the temperature-time factor and calculating the maturity index, this method estimates the
concrete's strength at later ages, based on early-age curing conditions.

 Precautions

It is important to note that the prediction equation in ASTM C 918 assumes a linear relationship
between concrete strength and the logarithm of the maturity index. This assumption holds true for
strengths up to 28 days but can be extended to later ages if the appropriate equation is used.

# Conclusion

Both ASTM C 684 and ASTM C 918 provide valuable tools for estimating the potential later-age
strength of concrete through early-age testing. These methods offer significant advantages over traditional
28-day testing, allowing for faster decision-making and improved quality control. They help reduce
delays and costs in large-scale construction projects by providing early insights into concrete strength,
while also enhancing safety by enabling timely structural modifications when needed. Through statistical
analysis and careful implementation, these methods can provide reliable estimates of concrete strength,
facilitating better quality control and more efficient construction practices.