Application of Maturity Approach to Setting Times

The influence of temperature on setting times was studied using the maturity approach and the Freiesleben-Hansen and Pederson maturity function. This function requires a value for the apparent activation energy (Ea) of cement hydration. A method to estimate Ea at the early stages of hydration was developed, therefore, based on setting times measured by the penetration resistance method (American Society for Testing and Materials C 403). An experimental verification of the proposed method was carried out. A mortar mixture was cast and cured at various temperatures. It was concluded that Ea for the mixture studied at the early stages of cement hydration could be successfully estimated by setting times and that the maturity approach could be used to predict variations in setting times caused by different curing temperatures.