Construction & Early Performance of Rapid Strength Cement Concrete Mixture in MnROAD Test Cell 2437
This study evaluates the construction and early performance of a concrete mixture enriched with Alite (C₃S) and Belite (C₂S) placed in MnROAD Test Cell 2437. The innovative concrete mixture aims to combine rapid early strength gain (due to alite) with improved long-term strength and durability (due to belite). A 36 ft by 12 ft test section was constructed on November 22, 2024, when the ambient temperature was approximately 35°F. The test cell was instrumented with vibrating wire strain gauges, thermistors, and maturity sensors to monitor strength development and performance. Initial laboratory results demonstrated high early compressive strength exceeding control mixtures, followed by an unexpected decline, suggesting incomplete hydration potentially influenced by early freezing conditions. Flexural strength values remained lower than control mixtures, prompting petrographic analyses to further investigate internal structural integrity and hydration completeness. Petrographic analysis revealed some microcracking, typical of accelerated strength gain but no sign of frost damage in spite of the low temperatures proceeding the paving. The material also passed the durability ASTM C666 test. Petrographic analysis revealed Alite-induced micro-cracking dispersed within the matrix and filled with ettringite. This suggested that due to low temperatures, belites were not secondarily deployed. Material was found to be constructible in spite of the anomalous thixotropic tendency it exhibited in transforming from a very mobile and workable mix quickly to a stiff mix within the period of placement and finishing. That feature was associated with early strength gain.
- Record URL:
Language
- English
Project
- Status: Completed
- Sponsor Organizations: St. Paul, MN United States 55155
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Managing Organizations:
Minnesota Department of Transportation
395 John Ireland Boulevard
St Paul, MN United States 55155 -
Performing Organizations:
MnROAD
St. Paul, MN United States 55155 -
Principal Investigators:
Izevbekhai, Bernard
- Start Date: 20241122
- Expected Completion Date: 0
- Actual Completion Date: 20250915
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Admixtures; Cement; Compressive strength; Durability; Flexural strength; Pavement performance
- Subject Areas: Construction; Highways; Materials; Pavements;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01989394
- Record Type: Research project
- Source Agency: Minnesota Department of Transportation
- Files: RIP, STATEDOT
- Created Date: May 15 2026 4:40PM