The Relationship Between the Concrete Strength Values of Curing Specimens Using Microwave and Standard Methods

As the most widely used construction material, concrete has the characteristics of good compressive performance. The compressive strength of concrete is the most important performance index. However, the compressive strength of concrete measured is generally based on the standard curing period for 28 d. Its period for detection is long. Therefore, it is necessary to study a fast and effective detection method. This paper mainly introduces the experimental method of microwave curing concrete and the relationship between concrete strength values of curing specimens using microwave and standard methods. The experimental results show that concrete specimens exposed to accelerated curing condition under microwave irradiation can increase the strength quickly within a shorter time period depending upon the procedure used in this work. By analysing experimental data, a model of concrete strength at age of 28 d using microwave curing and standard curing methods is established, which can early estimate compressive strength of concrete and provide a quick method for measuring the strength in the field.