Early-age properties of concrete: overview of fundamental concepts and state-of-the-art research

The long-term performance of concrete structures is affected to a large extent by the properties and behaviour of concrete at early age. However, the fundamental mechanisms affecting the early-age behaviour of concrete have not yet been fully understood. This is due to the various highly interrelated factors influencing it, and the complexity of testing techniques needed for its investigation. With modern developments in concrete technology, it has become essential to evaluate the influence of these interrelated factors and their implications for the service life of concrete structures. Thus, a more fundamental approach for investigating the early-age behaviour of concrete, along with more reliable testing techniques, is required. This paper provides a critical overview of research on the mechanisms that affect the properties of concrete and its performance at early age. It provides useful, concise and coherent information on the behaviour of concrete at early age, which should enhance the understanding of the implications of such behaviour on the service life performance of concrete structures.