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Predicting the compressive strength of limestone calcined clay cement (LC3) mortars with POFA via maturity method

Authors

  • Muhammad Yousaf Raza Taseer

    Department of Structure and Materials, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 UTM Johar Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
    Author

  • Ahmad Razin Zainal Abidin

    Department of Structure and Materials, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 UTM Johar Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
    Author
    https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3264-1908

  • Shafiq Ishak

    Department of Structure and Materials, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, UTM, 81310, Johar Bahru, Johar, Malaysia
    Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22581/muet1982.0307

Keywords:

Limestone calcined clay cement (LC3), Palm oil fuel ash (POFA), Compressive strength, Temperature curing, Maturity equation, Validation

Abstract

The study proposed a maturity equation that accurately predicts the relationship between strength and maturity of newly developed mixtures of limestone calcined clay cement (LC3) blends. LC3 was partially substituted with palm oil fuel ash (POFA) at 0, 10, 20, and 30%, and two sets of mortars were made to confirm the relationship between maturity and compressive strength at later ages. The primary set was cured in a sealed plastic bag at a mean temperature of 28.5°C with a mean RH of 98% and in an oven at constant temperatures of 30, 40, and 50°C. The secondary set was cured at varying temperatures. The samples from both sets were cured for up to 90d of hydration and then tested for compressive strength. Next, the Nurse–Saul maturity equation is applied for measuring the maturity index, while a logarithmic equation is used for measuring the strength-maturity relationship. It has been established that once the maturity index exceeds 350 °C-days, the strength–maturity correlation begins to diverge from linearity. This new proposed maturity index provides a strong relationship between strength and maturity at a later age, with a coefficient of correlation (R2) of between 0.85 to 0.89, while considering the microstructural degradation caused by temperature rise. A linear regression analysis (LR) was carried out to validate the newly proposed equivalent maturity index and found that the correlation coefficient (R2) ranged from 0.96 to 0.97. This study confirms that the maturity method applies to the LC3-POFA mixture and offers a reliable way of predicting long-term strength under varying curing conditions.

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Author Biographies

  • Ahmad Razin Zainal Abidin , Department of Structure and Materials, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 UTM Johar Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

    Dr. Ahmad Razin Zainal Abidin,

    B.Eng. (UTM), M.Sc. (UTM), Ph.D. (Imperial College London)

    Associate Professor, Department of Structure and Materials, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Johor Bahru, Johor.

    Expertise : Sustainable construction materials

    Computational Structural Mechanics,
    Aplied numerical and mathematical modelling,
    IT-related application in civil engineering and construction.


    H-Index (WOS) : 10
    H-Index (SCOPUS) : 11
    H-Index (G. Scholar) : 11
    H-Index (Researchgate) : 11

    PUBLICATIONS

     

    Summary ISI Article/Journal 20 Scopus Article/Journal 16 Non-Indexed Article/Journal 3 Indexed Conference Proceedings 3 Non- Indexed Conference Proceedings 5 Thesis/ Dissertation 3 Original Book 3 Book Chapters 1 Classified/Technical /Expert Report 2 Policy Paper 0

  • Shafiq Ishak , Department of Structure and Materials, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, UTM, 81310, Johar Bahru, Johar, Malaysia

    Dr. Shafiq Ishak 

    Senior Lecturer,

    Department of Structure and Materials, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 UTM Johar Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

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Published

2025-07-01

Issue

Vol. 44 No. 3 (2025): July Issue

Section

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Copyright (c) 2025 Mehran University Research Journal of Engineering and Technology

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How to Cite

Predicting the compressive strength of limestone calcined clay cement (LC3) mortars with POFA via maturity method. (2025). Mehran University Research Journal of Engineering and Technology, 44(3), 120-131. https://doi.org/10.22581/muet1982.0307

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