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Volume 13 | Issue 5 | Year 2026 | Article Id. IJCE-V13I5P105 | DOI : https://doi.org/10.14445/23488352/IJCE-V13I5P105

Early-Age Strength Development of Multi-Grade Concrete Using the Maturity Method: Calibration and Validation with Real-Time Monitoring

Nandkishor Chougule, Nandkumar Patil

Received Revised Accepted Published
31 Jan 2026 25 Mar 2026 07 Apr 2026 29 May 2026

Citation :

Nandkishor Chougule, Nandkumar Patil, "Early-Age Strength Development of Multi-Grade Concrete Using the Maturity Method: Calibration and Validation with Real-Time Monitoring," International Journal of Civil Engineering, vol. 13, no. 5, pp. 59-74, 2026. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23488352/IJCE-V13I5P105

Abstract

In early ages of concrete, timely removal of formwork, post-tensioning activities, and early loading is based solely on the concrete strength achieved. It is therefore very important to predict the compressive strength of concrete. Conventional cube testing provides concrete strength at fixed ages, such as 7 days, 14 days, and 28 days, rather than real-time in-situ strength development. Here, in the present study, a concrete maturity approach was used to conduct real-time observations to predict early-age strength for M35, M40, and M45, three structural concrete grades. To measure the internal temperature history and calculate the maturity index based on the cumulative Temperature-Time Factor (TTF), an indigenous Concrete Maturity Meter system (CP-CMM) was used. Twenty cubes of concrete (150 mm) were cast and tested at 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days to form grade-specific calibration curves for strength-maturity using regression analysis. Findings indicated that M45 exhibited the greatest early-age temperature increase, was more active in the binder, and showed the presence of Polycarboxylate Ether (PCE) superplasticizer, thereby yielding the greatest strength at all ages (12.12 MPa at 1 day and 44.16 MPa at 28 days). M40 showed high accuracy in maturity-based prediction, with minimal error (~0.5%) and a high regression correlation (R2 > 0.999). M35 also showed high agreement (R2 > 0.998). M45 showed a slightly greater early-age deviation (~3%) because the hydration-modifying effects of PCE, combined with the long-term predictions, were very accurate (R2 > 0.995). Altogether, the paper demonstrates that maturity-based monitoring with CP-CMM is a valid and feasible method for predicting grade-specific early-age strength, supporting real-time quality control and rapid decision-making in construction.

Keywords

Early Stage Strength, Concrete Grade, CP-CMM, M45, Real-Time Monitoring, Temperature-Time Factor.

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