Maturity model for fracture properties of concrete considering coupling effect of curing temperature and humidity

In this study, a new maturity model that considers the coupling effect of curing temperature and humidity is proposed. An innovative humidity rate function was introduced into the model to evaluate the influence of humidity on the fracture properties of concrete, which makes the maturity method more robust. Thereafter, fracture tests were performed on wedge-splitting specimens exposed to different constant and varying temperature and humidity to calibrate the parameters and validate the established model. The results indicated that the new model can accurately predict the fracture properties of concrete exposed to any curing condition with an error of less than 6%. In addition, although the temperature inversion phenomenon in the fracture properties of concrete was observed at all the humidity levels investigated, at low humidity, the phenomenon was not as pronounced as that at high humidity. Furthermore, the threshold age for the temperature crossover effect decreased as the curing humidity decreased. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.