Irc 85

IRC
85-1983
RECOMMENDED PRACTICE
FOR
ACCELERATED SIRENGTH
TESTING
AND
EVALUATION OF CONCRETE
FOR
ROAD AND AIRFIELD

CONSTRUCTIONS
THE INDIAN ROADS CONGRESS

1983
IRC
85-1983
MEMBERS OF THE SPECIFICATIONS AND STANDARDS COMMITTEE

1.
2.
3.
K.K. Sarin
(Convenor)
N. Sivaguru
( Member-Secretary)
K.C. Alexander
Director General (Roads), Ministry of

Addl.
Shipping & Transport
Chief Engineer (Roads), Ministry of Shipping &
Transport
Chief Engineer & Ex-oflficio Addl. Secy, to the Govt,
of Kerala, P.W.D.
Transport
Secretary to the Govt, of Maharashtra (II) PW &
H Deptt.
Chief Engineer (Retd.) E.C. 164, Salt Lake,
4.
V.K. Arora
5.
R.T. Atre
6.
M.K.
7.
D.C. Chaturvedi
8.
Dr. M.P. Dhir
9.
T.A.E. D'sa
Managing Director (Retd.) A-709 (H.I.G.), Indira

Nagar, Lucknow.
Deputy Director and Head, Roads Division, Central
Road Research Institute
Chief Engineer, The Concrete Association of India,
10.
Y.C. Gokhale
Head, Flexible Pavements Division, Central Road
11.
I.C.Gupta
12.
R.S.
13.
A.Y.Gupte
Engineer-in-Chief (Retd.) Haryana P.W.D. , B&R

Member (Engineering), Delhi Development
Authority
Chief Road Engineer. Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd., Bombay
14.
D.P. Jain
15.
17.
M.B. Jayawant
D.C. Jha
N.H. Keshwani
18.
Dr. S.K.
19.
S.B. Kulkarni
20.
P.K. Lauria
21.
K.S. Logavinayagam
22.
Maiiabir Prasad
General Manager, Rajasthan State Bridge Construction Corporation Ltd., Jaipur

Chief Engineer, (Retd.) 181-B, 54th Street, Ashok
Nagar, Madras
Chief Engineer (Retd.) 10/10 Sarojini Naidu Marg,
23.
H.C. Malhotra
Chairman
Chatterjee
Calcutta.
Bombay
Research institute
16.
Gupta
Khanna
Chief Engineer (Retd.), 0-21, Ashok Marg, Jaipur

Neelkanth, 24, Carter Road, Bandra, Bombay
Superintending Engineer (Design), C.D.O. Patna
Chief Engineer (Retd.) 797 Dili, Mandir Marg,
New Delhi
Prof, of Civil Engineering & Dean Development &
Planning, University of Roorkce
Bitumen Manager, Indian Oil Corporation Ltd.
Bombay
Lucknow
&
Managing
Director, Engineering Pro-
jects (India) Ltd.

24.
J.M. Malhotra
Secretary to the Govt, of Rajasthan
25.
M.R. Malya
3,
26.
P.N. Misra
Engineer-in-Chief, (Retd.), U.P.
27.
I.K.
28.
O. Muthachen
Modi
Panorama,
30, Pali Hill
Secretary, Gujarat
B&C
P.W.D.
Road, Bombay
PWD, B&R
Deptt.
Engineer-in-Chief (Retd.), C.P.W.D.

Poomkavil House, Somangalam, Punalur P.O.
Kerala
IRC
85-1983
RECOMMENDED PRACTICE
FOR
ACCELERATED STRENGTH
TESTING
AND
EVALUATION OF CONCRETE
FOR
ROAD AND AIRFIELD

CONSTRUCTIONS
Published by
THE INDIAN ROADS CONGRESS

Jamnagar House, Shabjahan Road,
New
Delhi-1 10011
1983
Price Rs.60/(Plus Packing
& Postage
IRC
First
85-1983
published
May, 1983
(Rights of Publication and of Translation are reserved)
Printed at
PRINTAID, New
Delhi-110 020
IRC
85-1983
RECOMMENDED PRACTICE FOR ACCELERATED

STRENGTH TESTING AND EVALUATION OF
CONCRETE FOR ROAD AND AIRFIELD
CONSTRUCTIONS
1.
INTRODUCTION
1.1.
The quality acceptance criteria of most cement concrete
works including paving concrete works for roads and airfields are
based on the strength of specimens tested at the age of 28 days
after curing under standard moist conditions.
An estimate of
28-day strength of concrete is sometimes done from the correspond-
ing 7-day strength results for purposes of early quality
case
of
many
constructions,
the
control.
time lapse of even 7 days
is
long for the strength results to serve any useful purpose from
In
too
the
point of either quality control or predicting the 28-day strength.
With a view
overcoming this problem, accelerated

has been recommended in this document that would provide an early information, say in about
a day, on the concrete strength likely to be developed at 28 days.
Such an information may enable taking decision on removal of any
defective concrete very early while it has still not hardened much,
It will thus help
or before it is covered by subsequent layer.
1.2.
to
strength testing of concrete
achieve better control of concrete quality economically with greatly
reduced chances of rejection.
For predicting the compressive and flexural strengths of

obtain in advance
it will be desirable to
in the laboratory along with the mix design of concrete, the
correlations between the accelerated strength results and standard
1.3.
concrete at 7 or 28 days,
cured strength results at 7 or 28 days, using the material to be

actually used in construction. For evaluation of 28-day compressive
strength of concrete through accelerated testing, the Indian
Standards Institution has already laid down detailed specifications
in
18:9013-1978.
The
Recommended
present
1
Practice
relates
IRC
85-1983
particularly to the 7
and
28-day
concrete through accelerated
concrete
of
is
document
great
will
importance
have particular
to
evaluation
strength
flexural
curing.
Since
paving
the
significance
in
engineers,
road
of
of
strength
flexural
and
this
airfield
constructions.
1.4.
draft for the
Recommended
was
Practice
approved
by the Cement Concrete Road Surfacing Committee in their

meeting held at Lucknow on the 28th January, 1980 (personnel
given below). This was considered by the Specifications and
Standards Committee in their meeting held on the 28th May, 1981,
when a Working Group consisting of P.C. Bhasin (Convenor),
Dr. R.K. Ghosh, one representative of I.S.l., one representative of
Cement Research Institute of India and Member-Secretary, Specifications and Standards Committee was set up to review the draft in
light of the discussion
held
its
the
meeting
draft,
and
at
held during the meeting. The Working
New
later
Standards Committee
Group
Delhi on the 5th August, 1981 and modified

it
approved by the Specifications and

meeting held on the 11th October,
was
in their
1982.
K.K. Nambiar
...
Convenor
Dr. R.K. Ghosh
...
Member-Secretary
MEMBERS
Maj. Gen. S.S. Ahluwalia
Col. Avtar Singh
Dr. K.L. Bhanot
N.V. Merani
Y.R. Phull
H.S. Bhatia
M.D. Seth
G.S.
Rao
D.C. Chaturvedi
Amarjit Singh
M.G. Dandavate
N. Sivaguru
P.V. Somashekhar
Dr. M.P. Dhir

P.K. Issac
P.J. Jagus
Maj. Gen. R.K. Kalra
Dr. S.K. Khanna
S.D. Vidyarthi
Cement
Director General,
Research
Instt.
of India
City Engineer,
D.N. Khurana
P.J. Mehta
Y.K. Mehta
Municipal Corporation of
Bombay
The Director
(Civil Engg.) ISI
The Director General (Road Development) &

Ex-officio
Addl. Secretary to the Govt, of India
IRC
This
Recommended
85-1983
Practice was later approved by the Execu-
tive Committee and the Council in their meetings held on the 13th
and 24th December, 1982 respectively.
SCOPE
2.
Recommended
procedure for
test under
compression/flexure and evaluation therefrom of strength under
standard curing for 7 or 28 days, and is recommended to be used
when evaluation of 7 or 28-day flexural strength or both flexural
and compressive strength is required from the accelerated strength
2.1.
This
accelerated curing,
of
details
covers
Practice
accelerated
strength
tests.
2.2.
For
evaluation
accelerated
strength only, reference
may
be
made
28-day
of
to
compressive
18:9013-1978 ''Method
Curing and Determining Compressive Strength of

Accelerated-cured Concrete Test Specimens'*, (para 5 -Accelerated
curing by Boiling Water Method).
of Making,
3.
WORKING PRINCIPLE OF ACCELERATED CURING
The concrete specimens

boiling water for 3.5 hours
(cubes
or
beams)
5 min. after 23
are
cured
in
J hours of casting
of cooling in air
them. The specimens are tested after 2 hours

under wet gunny bags. The total period elapsed between casting
and
testing
is
4.
4.1.
28.5 hours.
APPARATUS FOR ACCELERATED CURING
Water Bath
in the
Laboratory
When it is desired to conduct accelerated strength

both compression and flexure, the water bath which is to
provide the accelerated curing conditions, shall consist of a galvanised steel tank of appropriate capacity and dimensions and shall
have a detachable top cover. A tank should accommodate at a
4.1.1.
test for
time 3 cubes and
beams
encased
3
in
moulds.
The
plan
of
IRC
85-1983
placement of the moulds is shown in Fig. 1. The dimensions of

the tank may be varied depending on the number, size and type of
specimens to be accommodated in the tank.
OTTOM OF THE
WATER TANK
FIXING ARRANGEMENT
CUBE MOULDS
BASE PLATE
HANDLE
HANDLE
HANDLE
BEAM MOULD
BASE PLATE
FIXING
ARRANftCMENT
^ HAMOLE
Fig.
1.
Layout plan for
beams and
cubes inside the water tank
For 90 cmx75 cmx40 cm deep tank shown in Fig. 1, six

immersion type heating elements (220V I500W each) having a
combined load of 9 kilo-watts are fitted horizontally at the side of
These elements are distributed on the sides of the tank
the tank.
and located about 7 cm above the bottom of the tank. The tank
platform resting on 4 angle iron
is provided with a mild steel grid
supports welded to the sides of the tank. The grid is placed about
The cube and beam
10 cm above the bottom of the tank, Fig. 2.
or only beam specimens together with their moulds are placed on
the grid. The tank shall have an outlet at the bottom for emptying
it,
when
required.
IRC
85-1983
GALVANISED STEEL WATER TANK

90 cm X 75 c m X 4 0 cm (NSlOE DIMENSIONS
STEAM OUTLET
BEAM MOULDS
BASE PLATE
0
0
rT3
0~"0
QRIO
-OUTLET
Fig. 2.
HEATING ELEMENT
Water tank showing position of heating elements, grid, base
plate, mould, cover plate, etc.
The tank
4.1.2.
for 90
placed
is
to be filled with
cm x 75 cm x 40 cm deep
water to a depth of 25 cm
tank so that when the specimens are
water level rises to about 7 cm above the

This level of water is to be maintained during
the heating period by adding small amount of water (as required)
into the tank from time to time in order to maintain constant heat
in
it,
the
top of the moulds.
capacity of the curing medium.

Depending on the ambient
temperatures prevalent at the time of experimentation, about
60-75 minutes are required to raise the temperature of water in the

tank to its boiling point near 100C. The steam formed during
heating is allowed to escape through an outlet provided in the
tank cover, Fig. 2.
2.
Water Bath
At construction
in the Field
sites in the field,
not be available, water
may
be
where
electrical
power may
brought to boiling by means of

heating through coal or firewood. The dimensions and other
arrangements of the water bath should remain the same as described in para 4.1.
5
IRC
85-1983
Mould
4.3.
The moulds
for Concrete
for concrete
as per 18:516-1959.
Specimens
specimens (cubes or beams) shall be
thick mild steel plate (with
In addition, 6
mm
machined surface in contact with concrete) of size corresponding

to that of the moulds is required to cover the specimens during the
period of curing in boiling water. The moulds shall have suitable
handles for easy removal.
5.
PROCEDURE
Concrete cube and beam or only beam shall be

5.1.
prepared in accordance with 18:516-1959. The mould flanges are
wiped clean after the concrete is trowelled level with the top of
the mould.
The specimens are cured for 23 d= i hours under wet
gunny bags at standard temperature (27 l^'C). After such
curing, the specimens still in moulds shall be covered with cover
plates (with machined surface in contact with concrete) and placed
in boiling water in the tank.
The temperature of water will drop
due to immersion of moulds but

temperature within 15 minutes.
slightly
5.2.
3.5 hours
The specimens
5 min.
After
will
shall be kept in
this
period,
the
these
regain
the
boiling
water
boiling
for
should be removed
from the tank with hooks having wooden handles, demoulded and
left to cool in air for two hours
under wet gunny bags. Immediately after 2 hours of cooling of the
specimens,
these
shall
be
tested for compressive/flexural strength as per 18:516-1959.
6.
6.1.
EVALUATION OF
Ordinarily, the
OR 28-DAY STRENGTH
correlation
between
the
accelerated
strength results as per procedure described in para 5 and
standard
cured strength results at 7 or 28 days shall be obtained in the

laboratory along with the mix design of concrete, using the
materials to be actually used in the construction. These correlations should be supplied to the site engineer along with the mix
design.
IRC
Where such
6.2.
correlations are
the laboratory, general guidance
given in Figs. 3 and
may
not
made
available
be had from the
85-1983
from
correlations
While Fig. 3 gives the statistical correlations

and 7-day standard-cured compressive
between accelerated
strength, Fig. 4 shows the same between accelerated and 7 or
28-day standard-cured flexural strength. In as much as the
and 28-day standard-cured
correlations between accelerated
compressive strength are concerned, Fig. 2 of 18:9013-1978 may be
followed. The correlations shown in Fig. 3 and 4 relate to concrete
mixes using ordinary portland cements having widely different
physical and chemical properties i.e., 3-day compressive strength
varying between 160 and 235 kg/cm^ and 7-day compressive strength
varying between 225 and 330 kg/cm^, specific surface varying
between 3150 and 3720 cm^ per gm (Blaine's), C3S content varying
between 28.4 per cent and 45.5 per cent and C2S content varying
between 41.5 per cent and 31.5 per cent, and different aggregates
comprising Delhi quarzite, dense variety blast furnace slag from
Bhilai and natural river gravel from Hardwar.
Fig.
3.
4.
Statistical relationship
between accelerated and standard
cured compressive strength
IRC
!5-1983
40
0'88
= 3
5 Kg / C
y.x
30
y
1
5 Vo
LIMITS
20
in
Y= 7-07 +..165 X
50
^=3
Kg/Cm
AO -
ISVo LIMITS
/
/
30 -
/
20
e,
02 X
10
Statistical relationships
^^2
- C
K
/ C H.
between accelerated and standard
cured flexural strength

r
ACCELERATED FLEXURAL STREN 6 TH

Fig. 4.
004-
= coefficient of correlation
= standard error of estimate
8
IRC
29.
P.K. Nagarkar
30.
Lt.
31.
K.K. Nambiar
32.
T.K. Natarajan
Gen. T.B. Nanda
85-1983
Chief Engineer & Director, Maharashtra Engineering Research Institute

Master General of the Ordnance, Army Headquarters
Chief Engineer (Retd.) Tamil Nadu, Ramanalaya,

11, First Crescent Park Road, Gandhinagar, Adyar,
Madras
Deputy Director and Head,
sion, Central
Road Research
Soil Mechanics
Institute
Chairman, Orissa Public Service Commission

Manager, Indian Oil, AI-103, Safdarjung Enclave,
34.
A.C. Padhi
Satish Prasad
35.
Y.R. PhuU
36.
37.
Director General Border Roads

Maj. Gen. J.M. Rai
Brig. L.V. Ramakrishna Director of Utilities, E-in-C's Branch,
Headquarters
38.
G.
33.
Divi-
New
Delhi
Head, Rigid Pavements Division, Central Road

Research Institute
39.
Raman
A.R. Rao
Indian Standards
Director
(Civil Engineering),
Institution, New Delhi
Chairman,
Army
Bhubaneswar Regional
Improvement
Trust
40.
Prof. N.
Ranganathan
Head,
Traffic
of Planning
41.
T.S.
Reddy
&
and Transportation Planning, School

Architecture
Project Co-ordinator, Central
Road Research
Institute
42.
Dr. O.S. Saghal
Principal Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh
43.
CD.
Director, Gujarat Engineering Research Institute
Thatte
N. Sen
Chief Engineer (Retd.) 12-A. Chittaranjan Park,

New Delhi
45. R.P. Sikka
& Transport
46. L. Shivalingaiah
Chief Engineer (Retd.) Karnataka P.W.D.
Director, Quality Control, Punjab P.W.D.
47. J.S. Sodhi
Chandigarh
Executive Director, National Transportation
48. Dr. N.S. Srinivasan
Planning & Research Centre, Trivandrum
49. G.M.Shonthu
Chief Engineer, Kashmir, P.W.D. B&R
50. Prof. C.G.Swaminathan Director, Central Road Research Institute
51. B.T. Unwalla
Chief Engineer (Retd.) 15/9, Rustom Baug, Sant
Savta Marg, Byculla, Bombay-400 027
52. M.C. Vakil
Superintending Engineer, H.P. PWD
53. Tiie Director
Highways Research Station, Madras
(B.D. Jayaraman)
54. Brig. Gobindar Singh
Director General (Road Development) & Addl.
Secretary to the Govt, of India
Ex-officio
44.

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IRC

ROAD AND AIRFIELD

THE INDIAN ROADS CONGRESS

MEMBERS OF THE SPECIFICATIONS AND STANDARDS COMMITTEE

Director General (Roads), Ministry of

Dr. M.P. Dhir

Managing Director (Retd.) A-709 (H.I.G.), Indira

Head, Flexible Pavements Division, Central Road

Engineer-in-Chief (Retd.) Haryana P.W.D. , B&R

General Manager, Rajasthan State Bridge Construction Corporation Ltd., Jaipur

Chief Engineer (Retd.), 0-21, Ashok Marg, Jaipur

Director, Engineering Pro-

jects (India) Ltd.

Secretary to the Govt, of Rajasthan

Engineer-in-Chief, (Retd.), U.P.

30, Pali Hill

Engineer-in-Chief (Retd.), C.P.W.D.

ROAD AND AIRFIELD

THE INDIAN ROADS CONGRESS

(Rights of Publication and of Translation are reserved)

RECOMMENDED PRACTICE FOR ACCELERATED

ing 7-day strength results for purposes of early quality

time lapse of even 7 days

point of either quality control or predicting the 28-day strength.

overcoming this problem, accelerated

strength testing of concrete

achieve better control of concrete quality economically with greatly

reduced chances of rejection.

For predicting the compressive and flexural strengths of

cured strength results at 7 or 28 days, using the material to be

concrete through accelerated

draft for the

by the Cement Concrete Road Surfacing Committee in their

held during the meeting. The Working

Delhi on the 5th August, 1981 and modified

approved by the Specifications and

Dr. R.K. Ghosh

Dr. M.P. Dhir

(Civil Engg.) ISI

The Director General (Road Development) &

Practice was later approved by the Execu-

strength only, reference

Curing and Determining Compressive Strength of

WORKING PRINCIPLE OF ACCELERATED CURING

The concrete specimens

them. The specimens are tested after 2 hours

APPARATUS FOR ACCELERATED CURING

When it is desired to conduct accelerated strength

time 3 cubes and

placement of the moulds is shown in Fig. 1. The dimensions of

Layout plan for

cubes inside the water tank

For 90 cmx75 cmx40 cm deep tank shown in Fig. 1, six

GALVANISED STEEL WATER TANK

water level rises to about 7 cm above the

top of the moulds.

capacity of the curing medium.

60-75 minutes are required to raise the temperature of water in the