The present experimental work explains the combined effect of a commercial non-chloride hardening accelerator and method of curing in the strength development of pavement concrete. Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) was used to produce concrete mixtures. Concrete mixtures were designed as per the new guidelines of IS 10262:2009. Accelerator dosage was varied from 2 liters to 5 liters per cubic meter of concrete in seven equal intervals to accelerate hardening process. Compressive strength of standard cube specimens (150 mm) at early and later- age, cured with water and alternatively with commercial wax based membrane forming curing compound, was studied. Performance of accelerator at a given age of concrete was assessed based on the maximum percentage increase in the compressive strength, measured with reference to the strength of the control mixture (without accelerator), at the corresponding age. Average efficiency of the curing compound at a given age, calculated as the ratio of average compressive strength of concrete cured with it to that cured with water, was also studied. The test results revealed that the type of curing affected the optimum performance of accelerator in concrete mixtures. Average efficiency of the curing compound was found to be more at early- age of the concrete mixtures.
Fast-track, Accelerator, OPC, Compressive strength, Curing
