ABSTRACT
To illustrate the influence of one of the above mentioned variables (i.e. mix design, curing conditions, hydration time, etc), the results of a series of unconfined compressive strength ( fc) tests presented by Yi et al. (2003) are reproduced in Figure 1. This figure presents fc for concrete mixes containing different water cement ratios (w/c) after different periods of hydration. The hydration times presented in Figure 1 are representative of those adopted for design in the mining industry. Figure 1 clearly illustrates that the strength achieved after the period of interest of this study (1-3 days) is extremely sensitive to the w/c ratio, creating very significant changes in the resulting strength.
