Concrete compressive strength variation due to cement source change

Cementitious materials obtained from different sources, although evaluated and classified by the same methods and criteria, inevitably produce concrete with compressive strength variance despite other inputs and constituents remaining constant. This paper investigates the effect of cement by type and source on strength as a function of supplementary cementitious material (SCM) replacement and aggregate type. This was accomplished by compiling and analysing compressive strength data from previous research initiatives; it was concluded that a cement source change can produce coefficients of variation, range and range divided by average compressive strength values up to 18%, 2700 psi (18·6 MPa) and 0·40, respectively, at 14 to 56 d time frames. Concrete comprising SCMs displayed a statistically significant increase in compressive strength variation and a general decrease in compressive strength predictability against mixtures without SCMs when a cement source was changed, and specific aggregate/cementitious material combinations influenced compressive strength variability due to a change in the cement source.