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Rapid Strength Concrete for Transportation Structures and Pavements

B. Stein
(1)
, R. Ryan
(2)
, T. Kumar
(3)
, V. Perez
(4)

(1) Twining Inc., CA, USA
(2) CMT Research Associates, USA, CA
(3) CMT Research Associates, India
(4) CTS Cement, CA, USA
Keywords: Rapid Strength Concrete, Repair of transportation structures, Pavement
rehabilitation, Rapid hardening cement, Type III cement.
Abstract
Rapid strength concrete (also referred to in this paper as RSC) has been extensively used
in USA for planned and emergency rehabilitation of structures and pavements. Authors discuss
principles of acceleration of strength gain of cast-in-place concrete and principles of design
(proportioning) of RSC with consideration for constructability. The presented analysis of project
experience includes discussion of elements of best construction practices. The authors present a
wide spectrum of RSC achieving strength needed for opening structures and pavements to public
in 1 to 4 hours after concrete had been placed and finished.
The paper contains an overview of properties of fresh and hardened RSC and discusses how
materials (hydraulic cement, aggregates, and chemical admixtures) and proportions influence
them. The discussion specifically addresses factors influencing workability and strength gain of
RSC, and provides practical recommendations on controlling these two most important
performance characteristics that enable the repair of damaged structures and pavements within
short-time periods. The paper also deals with other aspects of RSC performance, defining
quality of repair work and of new construction. The paper addresses properties of RSC defining
their long term performance, such as resistance to sulfates, permeability, shrinkage and others.
1. Introduction Acceleration of Strength Gain of Cast-in-Place Concrete
Strength gain of cast-in-place concrete can be accelerated by:
Using hydraulic cements intended for enhancing early age strength gain of concrete, for
example rapid setting and hardening calcium sulfoaluminate cement (ASTM C1600
1
) or
high-early strength Portland cement Type III (ASTM C150
2
),
Using non-chloride accelerators,
Lowering water-cementitious material ratio (also referred to in the paper as w/cm),
Enhancing development of early-age bond of cement paste to coarse aggregate, for
example by using crushed coarse aggregates as opposed to gravel-type aggregates,
Increasing initial temperature of concrete, and

1
ASTM C1600 Standard Specification for Rapid Hardening Cement
2
ASTM C150 Standard Specification for Portland Cement

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Increasing temperature of concrete during curing, for example, by retaining heat by
applying surface and formwork thermal insulation.
Further discussion in this paper refers to RSC produced with: (i) Rapid setting and hardening
calcium sulfoaluminate cement and (ii) High-early strength Portland cement Type III and
chemical accelerators. The referenced types of RSC allow for achieving compressive strength of
17.2 MPa and corresponding flexural strength of 2.8 MPa as quickly as
3
:
One hour plus when rapid hardening cements are used, and
Two hours plus when Type III Portland cement with accelerators is used.
Fast strength development of RSC produced with rapid hardening cements is due to rapid
setting and hardening of the binder [1, 2]. Accelerators are not required. Water-cement ratio
should be limited to the range indicated in Table 1. Set controlling admixtures and high range
water reducers assist in providing the needed workability to fresh RSC.
Non-chloride accelerators are essential for enhancing the early age strength development of
RSC with Type III Portland cement [1, 2, and 3]. When RSC is required to achieve compressive
strength of 17 20 MPa or flexural strength of 2.8 MPa in 2 to 4 hours, dosage rate of an
accelerator may range from approximately 46 to 59 mL per 1 kg of cement
4
. A very low w/cm
is also essential to this type of RSC (Table 1). Hydration controlling admixtures and high range
water reducers assist in providing the needed workability.
Cast-in-place RSC has been used in USA for:
Complete and partial replacement (rehabilitation) of bridge decks,
Replacement of existing and construction of new approach structures for bridges and
highways,
Replacement of existing and construction of new lean concrete bases for roadways,
Preservation, rehabilitation and new construction of pavements,
Pavement notches,
Small-volume repairs (patches) of structures and pavements, etc.
One common feature of the listed applications (with the exception of small-volume notches
and repairs) is the high modulus of opened surface
5
, which enhances dissipation of heat quickly
developed upon hydration and assists in limiting temperature of concrete.
Table 1 introduces cast-in-place applications of RSC, where the duration of curing time after
finishing of concrete and prior to putting structures and pavements in service is limited to 4
hours. Most often the repair work is allowed within short-time closures scheduled for periods of
off-peak use of transportation structures and highways by public. In California, USA the use of
such concrete for preservation and rehabilitation of transportation infrastructure reached
approximately 250,000 m
3
annually. Cast-in-place RSC is, in particular, the most frequently
used material for full and partial depth repair of concrete pavements and approach structures.
Strength requirements provided in Table 1 are the ones specified by California Department of
Transportation and Hawaii Department of Transportation (bridge decks).
Both RSC types were first used for preservation, rehabilitation and new construction of
pavements. In California, USA the commercial use of cast-in-place RSC for transportation
infrastructure started in mid-nineties of the last century. Experience acquired during

3
Minimum curing time provided below is the time needed for achieving strength since RSC had been placed and
finished.
4
The required dosage rate of an accelerator mainly depends on the mineral composition of Type III cement (in
particular, content of tricalcium aluminate) and initial RSC and ambient temperatures.
5
Ratio of area of opened surface to volume of concrete.

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preservation and rehabilitation of pavements allowed for expanding the use of RSC for structural
applications.
Table 1: Examples of Typical Applications of RSC for Emergency and Planned
Rehabilitation of Transportation Structures and Pavements
Application Minimum
Strength at
Opening of
Structure or
Pavement to
Service, MPa
Minimum
Curing Time
Needed for
Achieving
Strength,
Hours
(a)

Materials and Proportions for Achieving High-Early Strength
Hydraulic Cement
Type

Chemical Admixtures
(b)
Maximum
W/cm
(f), (g)

Satisfying
Minimum
Curing time
Accelerator
(non-
chloride)
(c)
High-Range
Water
Reducer
(d)

Hydration
Stabilizer/
Retarder
(e)
Bridge
(h), (i)

Decks
21
compressive
3 Rapid hardening Not required
Typically
required
Typically
required
~ 0.31-0.33
Approach
Structures
(j)

8.5
compressive
1 Rapid hardening Not required ~ 0.50-0.53
2 Portland, Type III Required
(b)
~ 0.32-0.34
Lean
Concrete
Base
(j)

5.0
compressive
1 Rapid hardening Not required ~ 0.55-0.60
2 Portland, Type III Required
(b)
~ 0.32-0.34
Pavement
(j)
2.8
flexural
1 Rapid hardening Not required ~ 0.40-0.43
2 Portland, Type III Required
(b)
~ 0.32-0.34
3.8
flexural
1.5 Rapid hardening Not required ~ 0.38-0.39
5 Portland, Type III Required
(b)
~ 0.32-0.34

NOTES:
(a)
Minimum curing time is the time needed for achieving strength required for opening structures and pavements to
service (calculated since concrete had been placed and finished).
(b)
RSC subject to freezing and thawing should contain air entraining admixtures.
(c)
Dosage rate of accelerator depends on allowed curing time, required strength, ambient and concrete temperatures.
(d)
Mid-range water reducers may replace superplasticizers for certain applications.
(e)
Dosage rate of a hydration stabilizer depends on the delivery time, ambient and initial concrete temperatures, and
minimum curing time. Low ambient and initial concrete temperatures retard setting and strength gain of RSC and
reduce or eliminate the need in hydration stabilizers or retarders.
(f)
The presented ranges of w/cm are average ones for RSC produced with siliceous aggregates in California, USA.
(g)
Maximum w/cm, as provided in this table, satisfies the required strength which is equal to the specified strength
plus safety margin.
(h)
Concrete mix for bridge decks may contain latex additive for enhancing impermeability.
(i)
This requirement is provided in Specifications of Hawaii, USA Department of Transportation.
(j)
These requirements are provided in

Specifications of California, USA Department of Transportation.
2. Proportioning and Properties of Rapid Strength Concrete
Experience acquired by these authors allows to suggest that the best results are achieved
when RSC is designed for: (i) Workability (considering all aspects of constructability, as
provided below), (ii) Required rate of strength gain, (iii) Permeability, (iv) Ambient (weather)
conditions, (iv) Exposure conditions and durability. Below, we review mix proportioning
considerations affecting constructability, acceleration of construction, permeability and
durability of RSC.
2.1. Workability and Properties of Fresh RSC
The time factor dictates constructability considerations. RSC should be designed not only for
ultra-rapid gain of strength in early age, but also for properties of fresh concrete contributing to
acceleration and convenience of construction. Some of these properties are:
Optimum consistency or mobility (slump of fresh concrete),

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Optimum rate (time) of setting,
Minimum time within which fresh RSC is required to retain the design consistency,
Ability to be placed, formed and consolidated quickly and conveniently,
Resistance to segregation in the selected range of consistency, and
Ability to be finished promptly upon completion of consolidation.
Our project experience demonstrates that fresh RSC is naturally cohesive because of high
fineness of hydraulic cements used for its production, somewhat higher cement content, and
relatively low w/cm. Often optimum slump of RSC is in a range of 150 to 220 mm, unless it
needs to be specifically limited because of the methods of placement and forming. The optimum
slump of RSC and its cohesiveness are important factors contributing to the acceleration of
construction. In most cases the needed mobility or slump of fresh concrete are achieved by the
use of high range water reducers. The amount of water added must be within certain minimum
and the addition rate of high range water reducer must not be above certain maximum to assure
segregation resistance. Segregation resistance of fresh RSC is of a special importance, especially
when concrete is used for bridge decks and other horizontal structures and pavements.
Segregation may lead not only to differential volume changes but also to differential strength
gain, thus exacerbating the risk of cracking. Combined gradation of aggregates must be designed
with consideration for segregation resistance. Continuous grading is preferred.
Another important factor accelerating construction is the limited bleeding of RSC due to high
water retention of fine cements used for its production, which allows for prompt finishing.
Rapid setting of RSC dramatically reduces the risk of plastic shrinkage cracking of low-bleeding
fresh concrete.
Time within which RSC retains workable consistency is controlled by hydration controlling
admixtures. This time for RSC types depicted in this paper typically is:
Mixes designed for 1-2 hours curing time (calcium sulfoaluminate cement) retain
workable consistency for approximately 15-30 minutes after completion of mixing
6
, and
Mixes designed for 2-4 hours curing time (Type III Portland cement with accelerators)
retain workable consistency for approximately 30-40 minutes after the addition of an
accelerator in the field
7
.
The addition rate of hydration controlling admixtures must be selected with consideration for
initial concrete and ambient temperatures. Higher these temperatures are, higher is the required
dosage rate of hydration controlling admixtures and wise versa.
2.2. Strength Gain of RSC
Achieving the minimum strength required for opening transportation structures and
pavements to service within the planned curing time is the primary constructability
consideration. It is important to point out that RSC shall always be designed with consideration
for:
Early (at opening structures and pavements to service) and final specification age design
and required strengths,
Minimum time available for curing of RSC prior to opening structures and pavements to
service,

6
This type of RSC is frequently produced using volumetric batching and continuous mixing equipment at the point
of placement.
7
This type of RSC is batched at concrete plant and mixed in transit. High-range water reducer and set controlling
admixture are added at the batch plant and accelerator is added in the field close to the location of RSC placement.

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Anticipated ambient conditions and specifically ambient temperature during curing of
RSC, and
Anticipated initial concrete temperature.
Table 2 presents data of strength development of RSC with calcium sulfoaluminate cement.
To assess the suitability of RSC for applications in structures and pavements, concrete was tested
for both compressive and flexural strength. Analysis of strength data demonstrates that:
The early and late age strengths of concrete increases with the decrease of w/cm (and
correspondingly with the increase of calcium sulfoaluminate cement content).
For the test range of w/cm equal to 0.41 to 0.64 (and corresponding calcium
sulfoaluminate cement content of 418 to 251 kg/m
3
) compressive and flexural strengths
of concrete in 1 hour after the initial set ranged from 31.4 to 13.0 MPa and 3.9 to 2.4
MPa correspondingly.
RSC continuously increased compressive and flexural strength in the test age range of
one hour to one year.
Figure 1 demonstrates gain of compressive strength of RSC with calcium sulfoaluminate
hydraulic cement. It is important to note, that despite of ultra-rapid strength gain in very early
age, RSC with calcium sulfoaluminate cement continuous gaining strength in later ages.

Figure 1: Gain of Compressive Strength of Concrete with Calcium Sulfoaluminate Cement
RSC proportioning and preconstruction evaluation protocols should account for the influence
of ambient conditions (primarily, temperature) and allow for adjusting the mix accordingly for
the required workability and rate of strength gain. Predictability and uniformity of workability
and strength gain are the key success factors. Practical applications of the principles of RSC
design with consideration for early age strength gain, predictability and consistency of
performance are explained in the Project Experience section.
It should be noted that all types of RSC develop tensile strength times faster than regular
Portland cement concrete, which enhances their cracking resistance in early age.



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Table 2: Strength Gain of RSC with Calcium Sulfoaluminate Cement
Concrete Proportions, Trial Batch Records and
Test Data
Content of Calcium Sulfoaluminate Cement in Concrete, kg/m
3

418 390 335 279 251
Records of Trial Batches
Ambient temperature, C 14 14 16 16 16
Concrete temperature, C 19 20 21 19 20
Concrete Proportions
Maximum aggregate size, mm 25
W/CM 0.41 0.45 0.49 0.58 0.64
Type of water reducer High-range water reducer (HRWR)
Set control agent, mL/kg 4.11 3.59 3.26 3.59 3.59
Properties of Fresh Concrete
Slump (after HRWR), mm 250 250 220 245 95
Air content, % 1.6 1.2 1.8 1.3 2.5
Initial set time, hours: minutes 01:18 01:18 00:59 01:03 00:57
Final set time, hours: minutes 01:27 01:30 01:05 01:07 01:02
Compressive Strength of Concrete, MPa, at age (since initial set)
1 hour 31.4 26.8 25.3 17.7 13.0
2 hours 36.6 31.8 29.6 20.6 15.9
3 hours 38.1 33.9 31.8 22.3 17.7
4 hours 39.0 34.5 35.0 24.7 19.0
6 hours 42.5 38.7 36.6 25.9 19.6
7 days 56.3 45.0 43.9 35.2 27.5
28 days 61.2 53.7 52.9 42.2 34.6
1 year 68.8 71.6 69.0 58.6 57.4
Flexural Strength of Concrete, MPa, at age (since initial set)
1 hour 3.9 3.8 4.0 2.8 2.4
2 hours 4.4 3.6 3.8 3.4 2.9
3 hours 4.6 4.4 3.9 3.4 2.9
4 hours 4.6 4.6 4.3 3.8 3.3
6 hours 4.7 4.5 4.1 3.4 3.4
7 days 6.6 6.0 5.2 4.6 3.6
28 days 6.3 5.4 5.6 5.2 4.6
1 year 8.2 7.7 7.4 7.2 7.1
Table 3 presents data on strength gain of RSC produced with medium tricalcium aluminate
content Type III Portland Cement. Early age strength gain of RSC with Type III Portland cement
and accelerators depends, among other factors, upon:
Water to cement ratio (impact of w/cm is typically more pronounced than with concrete
containing rapid setting and hardening calcium sulfoaluminate cement),
Mineral composition of Type III Portland cement (specifically content of tricalcium
aluminate; higher the content of tricalcium aluminate in Type III Portland cement
accelerates strength gain of RSC), and
Dosage rate of an accelerator (non-chloride).
Specifications for construction of bridges and pavements by USA state departments of
transportation limit shrinkage of concrete. Protocol specified by Caltrans for preconstruction
evaluation of shrinkage of concrete is based on AASHTO T160
8
and ASTM C157
9
procedures
(using bars with 100-mm x 100-mm cross section), except that the bars are moist cured for 7
days (for the first 24 hours the bars are cured in molds).

8
AASHTO T 160 Standard Method of Test for Length Change of Hardened Hydraulic Cement Mortar and Concrete
9
ASTM C157 Standard Test Method for Length Change of Hardened Hydraulic-Cement Mortar and Concrete

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Table 3: Proportions and Properties of RSC with Type III Portland Cement
Concrete Proportions and Properties, Trial Batch Records Data Records
Records of Trial Batches
Ambient temperature, C 23
Concrete temperature, C 26
Concrete Proportions
Maximum aggregate size, mm 25
W/CM 0.32
Content of Type III Portland cement, kg/m
3
474
Hydration control agent, mL/kg 2.60
Accelerator, mL/kg 52.16
Properties of Fresh Concrete
Slump (after superplasticizer), mm 175
Air content, % 0.7
Compressive Strength of Concrete, MPa, at age:
2.5 hours 15.6
3 hours 17.6
4 hours 36.5
7 days 46.3
28 days 76.1
Flexural Strength of Concrete, MPa, at age:
2.5 hours 1.6
3 hours 2.8
3.5 hours 3.5
4 hours 4.3
7 days 8.0
28 days 9.6
Caltrans Specifications limit shrinkage of regular bridge deck Portland cement concrete to
0.045% and for approach structures (slabs) and pavements to 0.050% in 28 dry days. RSC-
specific materials and proportions influence drying shrinkage in contradictory ways:
Rapid hardening cements and Type III Portland cement are generally finer than other
Portland cement types specified by ASTM C150, a factor known to increase shrinkage,
In both RSC types water is consumed by hydration faster than in regular concrete, which
decreases its quantity left for evaporation, a factor known to decrease shrinkage,
Calcium sulfoaluminate cement combines higher absolute amount of water than Portland
cement, thus leaving less water for evaporation [4],
Accelerators may increase shrinkage, however, influence of non-chloride accelerators on
shrinkage is significantly less than that of the previously used chloride admixtures,
RSC, and specifically RSC with Type III Portland cement, may contain moderately high
quantities of binder, which contributes to higher paste content,
RSC contains high-range water reducers, which decreases absolute water content, w/cm,
and volume of cement paste, all contributing to less shrinkage, etc.
2.3. Shrinkage of Hardened RSC
For practical purposes, shrinkage is established by preconstruction testing. Table 4
provides shrinkage data developed by the authors. Concrete was tested according to laboratory
procedure specified by Caltrans. Shrinkage of tested RSC mixes in 28 dry days meets the
requirements of Caltrans Standard Specification for regular Portland cement concrete intended
for bridge decks, pavements and approach slabs.

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Table 4: Shrinkage of Rapid Strength Concrete
Concrete Proportions and Shrinkage Intended Use of RSC (maximum aggregate size 25 mm)
Approach
Structures
Approach
Structures
Bridge Decks
and Pavement
Bridge Decks
and Pavement
Hydraulic cement type Portland,
Type III
Portland,
Type III
Portland,
Type III
Calcium
sulfoaluminate
Hydraulic cement content, kg/m
3
335 390 474 402
Actual w/cm 0.45 0.39 0.33 0.40
Aggregate type Siliceous Siliceous Siliceous Siliceous
High range water reducer, addition rate, mL/kg 6.5 4.4 10.8 6.4
Set controlling admixture, addition rate, mL/kg None None 1.0 (0.7) 4.0 (2.6)
Non-chloride accelerator, addition rate, mL/kg 13.0 13.0 52.2 None
Shrinkage at 28 dry days (test data), % -0.029 -0.027 -0.033 -0.018
2.4. Sulfate Resistance
Sulfate resistance of cements used for RSC may be specified according to performance
requirements of ASTM C1157
10
(tested according to ASTM C1012
11
). ACI 318
12
permits use of
cementitious materials certified per ASTM C1157 for corresponding classes of the sulfate
exposure of concrete. Research performed by UCLA and CTL [4] demonstrated that rapid
hardening calcium sulfoaluminate cement met expansion limits for Type HS hydraulic cement
(high sulfate resistant) specified by ASTM C1157. One-year expansion was 0.02% where ASTM
C1157 and ASTM C1600 limits for Class HS hydraulic and rapid hardening cements are 0.10.
Type III Portland cement can be specified for moderate or high sulfate resistance as well.
According to ASTM C150, Type III Portland cement for moderate and high sulfate resistance
should be specified for maximum C
3
A content of 8% and 5% respectively.
ACI 318 limits w/cm for most aggressive exposure Classes S2 and S3 to 0.45. Typically,
RSC types for bridge decks and pavements meet this limit because of strength considerations
(Table 5). For approach structures, where they are used in contact with soils containing more
than 0.10% of sulfates, w/cm shall be limited according to level of sulfates in soils.
2.5. Mitigation of Alkali-Aggregate Resistivity
Both hydraulic cement types used for RSC intended for short-time lane closures are
available as low-alkali, reducing potential for deleterious expansion due to alkali-silica reaction.
2.6. Freezing and Thawing Resistivity
For enhancing freezing and thawing resistivity, RSC can be air entrained. Lower
permeability of RSC lowers its saturation with water which improves freezing and thawing
resistivity.
2.7. Permeability
One of the prime properties effecting durability of concrete is its permeability. Low w/cm
and high degree of hydration contribute to lower permeability of RSC compared to regular
Portland cement concrete. RSC with calcium sulfoaluminate rapid setting and hardening cement
upon its hydration combines more water than Portland cements. This additionally reduces
volume of permeable void space in concrete and decreases permeability. RSC containing

10
ASTM C1157 Standard Performance Specification for Hydraulic Cement
11
ASTM C1012 Standard Test Method for Length Change of Hydraulic Cement Mortars Exposed to a Sulfate
Solution
12
ACI 318 Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete

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calcium sulfoaluminate cement and butadiene styrene latex has been successfully used for bridge
deck applications requiring low permeability by chlorides. Table 5 presents composition and
properties of low-permeability RSC with calcium sulfoaluminate cement used for replacement of
bridge decks by Hawaii DOT, USA.

Table 5: Proportions and Properties of Low-Permeability Latex Modified RSC
(Calcium Sulfoaluminate Cement) for Application in Bridge Decks
Concrete Proportions and Properties Data Records
Concrete Proportions
Maximum aggregate size, mm 9.5
W/CM 0.30
Content of calcium sulfoaluminate cement, kg/m
3
390
Type of water reducer High-range water reducer
Hydration control agent, mL/kg 4.60
Latex, kg/m
3
125
Fibers (polymer), kg/m
3
3.6
Properties of Fresh Concrete
Slump (after high-range water reducer), mm 150
Air content, % 4.5
Properties of Hardened Concrete
Compressive strength, 3 hours, MPa 28.0
Compressive strength, 28 days, MPa 57.1
Flexural strength, 28 days, MPa 7.9
Modulus of Elasticity, 3 hours, MPa 23,965.5
Modulus of elasticity, 28 days, MPa 27,931.0
Resistance to Cracking
13
, age of cracking, days More than 28 days
Rapid Chloride Permeability, charge passed in coulombs
14
, at 63 days 36
Analysis of data of preconstruction evaluation indicates that the RSC intended for the use
in bridge decks combines rapid strength gain with very low permeability by chloride ion and
good resistance to cracking. It meets the specifications of Hawaii DOT.
3. Project Experience and Lessons Learned
Hundreds of pavement and approach structures rehabilitation and preservation projects in
California were completed during short closures with durations of 7 to 12 hours, allowing for
curing time of 1.5 to 4 hours prior to opening structures and pavements to public use.
Project experience acquired during the past decade indicates that RSC with calcium
sulfoaluminate rapid setting and hardening cement is most frequently produced with volumetric
batching (measuring) and continuously mixing equipment
15
. The use of this equipment allows:
Producing concrete at or near the point of placement,
Reducing time between mixing and placing of RSC,
Producing concrete in exact required volumes,
Dramatically reducing demand in hydration controlling admixtures, and
Enhancing uniformity of workability and strength.

13
Testing was performed according to ASTM C1581 Standard Test Method for Determining Age of Cracking and
Induced tensile Stress Characteristics of Mortar and Concrete under Restrained Shrinkage
14
Testing was performed according to ASTM C1202 Standard Test Method for Electrical Indication of Concretes
Ability to Resist Chloride Ion Penetration
15
Technical requirements for production of concrete are provided by ASTM C685 Standard Specification for
Concrete Made by Volumetric Batching and Continuous Mixing.

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RSC with Type III Portland cement and non-chloride accelerators is most often produced
using transit mixers. High range water reducer and hydration controlling admixture are added at
the batch plant. Accelerator is added in the field using calibrated dispenser with pump mounted
on truck chassis. Such sequence of the addition of admixtures allows for extending and
controlling the delivery time and enhances uniformity of workability and strength of RSC.
Project studies allow us to summarize the best construction practices, which assure the
predictability and uniformity of early age strength gain and workability of RSC:
Method of production and delivery of concrete must be selected with consideration for
type of RSC, as provided in the previous paragraphs.
Ambient and initial concrete temperatures impact early age strength gain, initial
consistency (slump) and time within which the required workability is retained.
Initial temperature of concrete during cool weather periods with low positive temperature
is recommended to be adjusted to not less than 18C.
Dosage rate of set controlling admixtures must be adjusted for ambient and initial
concrete temperatures to provide the required time within which concrete retains
workable consistency and to assure the needed rate of strength gain in early age.
Dosage rate of an accelerator used for RSC with Type III Portland cement must be
adjusted in the course of production depending on concrete temperature.
The content of tricalcium aluminate in Type III Portland cement shall be consistent and
not lower than that of the cement sample used for preconstruction trial batch.
Use of crushed rock contributes to uniform development of early age bond strength with
cement paste. Aggregates must be clean, in particular free of clay size fines preventing
from developing a strong bond with the cement paste.
Consistent gradation of aggregates during production assists in controlling water
requirement and segregation resistance of fresh RSC.
Preconstruction full-scale trial batches are an essential and mandatory element of
concrete mix qualification. If a significant (for example, 10C or more) change in the
ambient temperature is anticipated, we recommend a full-scale trial batch at the
anticipated temperature to be performed prior to commencement of construction.
Project experience validates the beneficial use of rapid strength concrete for extending
service life of concrete structures and pavements. This experience also validates principles of
acceleration of strength gain of concrete presented in the paper. Adherence to these principles,
accounting for ambient and site conditions, strict control of materials and proportions of RSC in
the course of its production, assure predictable and consistent strength gain in early and final
specification ages. Low permeability of certain RSC types make them very efficient for repair of
structures subject to intrusion of aggressive ions. Use of rapid strength concrete is a viable
solution for preservation and rehabilitation of aging infrastructure, which minimizes
inconvenience to public caused by construction work.
4. References:
1 Stein, B., Kramer, B., Kumar, T., Pyle, T, Shatnawi, S., Rapid Strength Concrete for
Rehabilitation and Improvement of Pavements, Compendium of Papers from the First
International Conference on Pavement Preservation, Newport Beach, California, 2010
2 Stein, B., Kramer, B, Ryan, R., Zhumayeva, A., Rapid Strength Concrete for Pavements -
Constructability and State-of-Practice, Presentation at TRB Annual Meeting, 2011
3 Products in Practice - 4x4 Concrete Very High-early Strength Concrete Mixture, BASF
4 Use of CTS Rapid Set

Cement for Rapid Repair of Pavements, Final Report by Wiss,

Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc., 2006