Hot Weather Concrete ACI 305

Joseph E. Diedrich Technical Service Manager Southdown, Inc.

What is Hot Weather Concreting?

When concrete is mixed, transported, and place under conditions of high ambient temperature, low humidity, solar radiation, or wind, an understanding of the effects there environmental factors have on concrete properties and construction operations is required (ACI 305).

Introduction
Often specifiers establish a maximum as placed concrete temperature in an attempt to control strength, durability, plastic shrinkage, thermal, and drying shrinkage cracking. Concrete durability is a general term that is difficult to quantify, but it is perceived to mean resistance of the concrete to weathering.

General
Initial curing of concrete test specimens for checking adequacy of mix for strength or basis of acceptance are cured initially at 60 to 80F (16 to 27C), ASTM C31 24hr cure at 100F, 28 day may be 10 to 15 percent lower than cured ASTM C31 drying at early age, strengths will be reduced even further

Definition of Hot Weather

High ambient temperature High concrete temperature Low relative humidity Wind velocity Solar radiation Hot weather is any combination of the above which impair quality of fresh or hardened concrete and/or cause detrimental results

Hot Weather
Hot weather concrete problems generally occur during the summer season Thermal shrinkage is more severe in the spring and fall (temperature differential) When air temperatures are identical, a calm, humid day is less severe than a dry, windy, sunny day

Potential Problems in Hot Weather - Plastic Concrete

Increased water demand Increased rate of slump loss, tendency to add water at the jobsite increased rate of setting, resulting in difficult handling, finishing, and risk of cold joint Increase for plastic shrinkage Increased difficulty in controlling entrained air content.

Potential Problems in Hot Weather - Hardened Concrete

Decreased 28 day and later strengths, higher water demand, concrete temperatures Increase for drying shrinkage and thermal cracking Decreased durability from cracking Increased permeability Increased potential for reinforcing steel corrosion due to increased cracking

Avoiding Potential Problems

Use concrete materials and proportions with satisfactory records in hot weather Use cool concrete Use a concrete consistency that permits rapid placement and effective consolidation Transport, place, consolidate, and finish with least delay Protect concrete against moisture loss at all times, during placement and curing period

Curing Temperature Relationship

Water Vs. Temperature

Temp, Slump, & Water Demand

Questions?
Remember:
Use Common Sense Temperature effects on your body have very similar effects on concrete If you are not sure, ASK!!!