Determination of the concrete heat emission during its hardening in isothermal conditions

Introduction. The heat emission of concrete during its hardening in adiabatic conditions is typically determined according to the GOST 24316 State Satndard. This method is quite limited in research possibilities, since under the conditions of constantly increasing temperature, it appears impossible to adequately assess the influence of various components or hardening conditions on the processes occurring during the concrete hardening. The assessment of the heat emission during the isothermal hardening allows much more information about the hardening process of the studied material to be obtained. The direct determination of the concrete heat emission during hardening in isothermal conditions appears to be extremely difficult in technical aspect.

Aim. The study is aimed at developing a method for determining the heat emission of the concrete in isothermal conditions.

Materials and methods. The GOST 31108-2016 TsEM I 52.5N portland cement, quartz sand, crushed gabbrodiabase, and the GOST 23732-2011 mixing water were used in the study. The strength of concrete samples was determined in accordance with the GOST 10180-2012 State Standard. The TAM Air (TA Instruments) isothermal calorimeter was used for calorimetric studies.

Results. As a result of the performed studies, a method for determining the concrete heat emission in isothermal conditions was developed on the basis of assessment of the heat emission during the hardening of model mixtures reflecting the composition of the studied concrete. The optimal particle size of the sand and crushed stone fractions for model mixtures comprises 0.16–0.315 mm. The heat emission during the isothermal hardening of 10 model mixtures reflecting the composition of the studied concrete grades was determined. The strength class of 10 concrete compositions differing in cement content was established. The dependence of the heat emitted by model mixtures on the strength classes of the studied concrete compositions was determined. The heat emission of model mixtures during the isothermal hardening was established to be directly dependent on the strength of the studied concrete compositions.

Conclusions. The determination of the amount of heat emitted by model mixtures reflecting the composition of concrete mixtures during the isothermal hardening represents a useful cost-effective test significantly accelerating and facilitating the process of control and design of concrete compositions. 

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