Date of Graduation

7-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Civil Engineering (MSCE)

Degree Level

Graduate

Department

Civil Engineering

Advisor/Mentor

Murray, Cameron

Committee Member

Braham, Andrew

Second Committee Member

Hale, Micah

Keywords

Concrete; Early Opening; Maturity Method

Abstract

Many Department of Transportation (DOT) specifications across the United States require a minimum time to gain strength for concrete pavements before they can be opened to construction equipment or traffic. This period is anywhere from three to seven days. However, concrete pavements can often be opened earlier as long as a minimum required strength is attained. With the development of modern pavement mixes, this strength can often be achieved well before the required curing period has passed. Allowing contractors to open pavements earlier increases construction efficiency. One nondestructive method of proving a pavement has achieved the required strength is the maturity method. As outlined in ASTM C1074 and AASTHO T413, the maturity method uses the relationship between a concrete mixture’s heat of hydration and its strength gain to develop a curve or equation to estimate the in-place strength of concrete made with the same mixture. This is done by plotting the area under the time-temperature curve, or time-temperature factor (TTF) versus tested strength data. The logarithmic trendline of this series can be used to predict the in-place strength of the pavement. This project involves providing Arkansas DOT (ARDOT) with a procedure and tools for implementing the maturity approach, especially for early opening decisions, in their specifications, which are currently being rewritten.

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