When Should I Use High Early Strength Cement?

(When Should I Use High Early Strength Cement?)

When should I use high early strength cement?

When you need concrete to set up or repair a road or structure quickly, high early strength concrete may be the right option for your project. Its unique properties make it quick-drying enough to set up without causing shrinkage or cracking.

Its fast setting time is especially useful when weather conditions slow down the curing process of regular concrete. It also allows you to pour small sections and remove them as soon as they’re cured for a smoother surface.

The compressive strength of concrete is measured in pounds per square inch (psi). A higher psi means that the concrete will hold more weight and be more durable over time.

For a concrete mixture to be considered strong, it should reach its full design strength at or about four weeks of curing. During this time, water molecules combine with the cement in the mix to form a slightly different compound, called hydration.

But if too much water stays in the mix, it can bleed out of the concrete or be trapped under it, weakening it. This is why engineers call for a specific water-to-cement ratio.

Adding accelerators like calcium chloride and supplementary cementitious materials can accelerate the rate of early strength development of concrete. However, they can also cause moisture or temperature movement in the concrete, compromising its long-term performance.

High early strength concrete can be used to speed up the process of open and reopening roads or structures, especially when there’s a lot of traffic on them. The fast curing process can help reduce construction downtime and keep your schedule flexible while minimizing your project’s overall costs.

(When Should I Use High Early Strength Cement?)