Concrete Maturity: From Theory to Application is a complete guide to the concept and practical aspects of concrete maturity method based on the ASTM C1074. Understanding the concrete maturity method allows those in the construction industry to optimize critical construction operations such as formwork removal, post-tensioning, and opening concrete pavement to traffic. Implementing this testing method increases profitability and saves construction companies both time and money throughout the duration of a project.

What is Concrete Maturity?

Maturity is a non-destructive approach to testing concrete that allows you to estimate the early-age and compressive strength of in-place concrete in real-time. Adopting the maturity approach in your jobsite eliminates the need for concrete cylinder break tests, allowing you to greatly optimize your schedule.

ASTMC1074, the standard practice for maturity, defines the method as “a technique for estimating concrete strength that is based on the assumption that samples of a given concrete mixture attain equal strengths if they attain equal values of the maturity index.”

In other words, maturity is a value that represents the progression of concrete curing. The maturity index value considers concrete temperature and curing time. As a result, mix calibration is required to implement this concept in a project. The goal of the calibration is to determine a relationship between maturity and strength for a specific mix.

Using a concrete maturity sensor allows you to collect such data. The sensor works by measuring the temperature of the concrete and then calculates the concrete’s strength/maturity through the calibration data previously inputted by the user.  Doing so replaces the need for break tests. These wireless maturity sensors, like SmartRock, eliminate the use of cumbersome wires. Furthermore, it can connect to any smart mobile device and transmit data instantly without the use of a data logger, which is often expensive.