The Use of Statistical Experimental Design to Investigate the Autoclave Curing and Standard Curing of Cement

28 day compressive strength of Portland cement mortar was investigated for standard curing and for autoclave curing. The effects of %C3S, %SO3 and Blaine on strength development in both curing methods are compared via the use of statistical experimental design techniques. Box-Behnken response surface methodology was adopted to create a polynomial model for compressive strength at varying amounts of C3S, SO3 and Blaine. The effect of increasing amounts of C3S in the cement positively effected the strength for normal curing with a linear increase in strength. The same positive strength enhancing effect of C3S levelled off at about 60% C3S contents.