EFFECTIVENESS OF STEAM CURING ON REPAIRING EARLY AGE MORTAR DAMAGES

Standard, steam and air curing methods were investigated in the scope of presented study to assess the healing performance of early age mortar damages. Compressive stress levels of 50, 75, 90 and 100 % of strength were adapted to Portland cement mortar or blended cement mortar specimens at early ages. Test results exhibited that preloading level under 90 % of instantaneous strength until 4 days, did not affect the ultimate strength for standard cured specimens. On the contrary, results obtained from air cured specimens preloaded after 2 days were almost equal or greater than that of control specimens. Surprisingly, steam curing application could not provide expected recuperation; however, less variable strength results were obtained. Blended cement mortar specimens achieved better results with steam curing process. Besides, it was possible to reach 53 MPa compressive strength by selecting a proper curing treatment even in the case of full damage