Which Cement Is Used In Cold Weather

February 14, 2024

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Strategies for Cold Weather Concreting

Some of the strategies that can be adopted while cold weather concrete procedures are:-

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Preparation

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Have an adequate cold weather concrete plan before the cold weather arrives.
Before the cold weather concrete procedure begins, prepare the necessary equipment and materials on the construction site, such as heaters, insulating materials, and enclosures.
Consider air-entraining concrete for members subjected to freezing and thawing cycles, such as slabs and other flatworks.
Clear snow, ice, and frost off the surfaces and reinforcements.
Maintain job condition records. Weather conditions, air and concrete surface temperatures should be recorded at least twice a day.

Concrete Pouring

Concrete shall not be poured around massive embedments unless the temperature is above freezing temperature.
Consider utilising high early strength concrete cold weather.
To lower the freezing point of concrete, do not employ “antifreeze” compounds.
Under the following conditions, the use of calcium chloride or cold weather concrete admixtures containing soluble chlorides is not recommended:
- In concrete containing aluminium or prestressing strands that could lead to corrosion.
- When discolouration of the troweled surfaces is not allowed.
- Where galvanised steel will be in constant contact with cold weather concrete.
- In cold weather concrete, subjected to an alkali-aggregate reaction or exposed to sulphate-containing soils or water.

Concrete Protection

Windbreaks of 1.8m height, enclosures, supplemental heat, or adjustment of concrete mixture ingredients for the effect of ambient temperature on setting time may be included in protection mechanisms.
For a minimum of three days, protect concrete against freezing damage.
If structural safety requires more concrete strength, then lengthen the protection period to guarantee the requisite strength development.
Prevent concrete surfaces from freezing for the first 24 hours following cold weather concrete placement during periods when freezing conditions are not expected.
If the temperature of the concrete surface is less than -6.6 °C, the protections can be removed.

Concrete Curing

Cure concrete to prevent moisture loss.
When using heated enclosures, provide moisture by spraying or heating with steam. Salamanders and other fuel-burning heaters should be vented and to avoid thermal cracking, allow concrete to cool slowly.
If the job schedule allows, leave the forms in place.
Reshoring is required until the concrete reaches the requisite design strength.
If the concrete is to cure at temperatures below 15.5 °C, water reducers or retarders may be used to delay the concrete setting time in cold weather. Concrete laid in late fall or winter should not be exposed to deicing salts or salts dripping from parked vehicles.