Predicting the compressive strength of limestone calcined clay cement (LC3) mortars with POFA via maturity method

The study proposed a maturity equation that accurately predicts the relationship between strength and maturity of newly developed mixtures of limestone calcined clay cement (LC3) blends. LC3 was partially substituted with palm oil fuel ash (POFA) at 0, 10, 20, and 30%, and two sets of mortars were m...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Muhammad Yousaf Raza Taseer, Ahmad Razin Zainal Abidin, Shafiq Ishak
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Mehran University of Engineering and Technology 2025-07-01
Series:Mehran University Research Journal of Engineering and Technology
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Online Access:https://murjet.muet.edu.pk/index.php/home/article/view/307
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Summary:The study proposed a maturity equation that accurately predicts the relationship between strength and maturity of newly developed mixtures of limestone calcined clay cement (LC3) blends. LC3 was partially substituted with palm oil fuel ash (POFA) at 0, 10, 20, and 30%, and two sets of mortars were made to confirm the relationship between maturity and compressive strength at later ages. The primary set was cured in a sealed plastic bag at a mean temperature of 28.5°C with a mean RH of 98% and in an oven at constant temperatures of 30, 40, and 50°C. The secondary set was cured at varying temperatures. The samples from both sets were cured for up to 90d of hydration and then tested for compressive strength. Next, the Nurse–Saul maturity equation is applied for measuring the maturity index, while a logarithmic equation is used for measuring the strength-maturity relationship. It has been established that once the maturity index exceeds 350 °C-days, the strength–maturity correlation begins to diverge from linearity. This new proposed maturity index provides a strong relationship between strength and maturity at a later age, with a coefficient of correlation (R2) of between 0.85 to 0.89, while considering the microstructural degradation caused by temperature rise. A linear regression analysis (LR) was carried out to validate the newly proposed equivalent maturity index and found that the correlation coefficient (R2) ranged from 0.96 to 0.97. This study confirms that the maturity method applies to the LC3-POFA mixture and offers a reliable way of predicting long-term strength under varying curing conditions.
ISSN:0254-7821
2413-7219