Successful

HOT WEATHER CONCRETING

HOT WEATHER can lead to many problems in
mixing, placing, and curing of concrete that can have
an adverse affect on its properties and service life.
This guide has been developed by Master Builders,
Inc. to assist the entire construction team (owners,
specifiers, contractors, and ready mixed concrete
producers) in the design, manufacture, delivery,
placement and curing of quality concrete in
HOT WEATHER.
ACI Committee 305 defines hot weather as any
combination of high ambient temperature, high
concrete temperature, low relative humidity, wind
velocity and solar radiation. The effects of high
temperature, solar radiation and low relative
humidity on concrete may be more pronounced
with increases in wind velocity (see Figure 1),
and can lead to rapid evaporation of moisture,
which is the primary cause of plastic shrinkage
cracks in concrete.
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Air temperature, F
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5 15 25 35 C
40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Relative humidity
100 percent
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(8
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2 m
ph (3 km
/hr)
0
Figure 1
Effect of Concrete and Air Temperatures,
Relative Humidity and Wind Velocity on
the Rate of Surface Moisture Evaporation
from Concrete
If the rate of
evaporation
approaches 0.2
lb/ft
2
/hr (1kg/m
2
/hr),
precautions against
plastic shrinkage
cracking are
necessary.
Source: ACI 305R-91, "Hot Weather Concreting"
Concrete Temperature Control
Concrete temperature at the time of mixing is influenced by
temperature, specific heat and quantity of its ingredients.
The approximate temperature of concrete can be calculated
from the following equation:
0.22(TaWa + TcWc) + TwWw+TwaWwa
0.22(Wa + Wc) + Ww + Wwa
where T = temperature of freshly-mixed concrete
Ta,Tc,Tw,Twa = temperature of aggregates, cement, added
mixing water and free water on aggregates, respectively.
Wa,Wc,Ww,Wwa = weight of aggregates, cement, added
mixing water, and free water on aggregates, respectively.
The temperature of concrete can be reduced 1 F (0.5 C)
by reducing:
cement temperature by 8 F (4 C)
water temperature by 4 F (2 C) (see Figure 3)
aggregate temperature by 2 F (1 C)
Of all concrete-making materials, water is the easiest to
cool, and using ice as part of the mixing water will help
reduce the concrete temperature. The amount of ice used
must be included as part of the mix water and should not
exceed the established water-cementitious materials ratio.
The following measures will further help to control concrete
temperature at the time of batching or during the
hydration process:
sprinkling and spraying of aggregates
shade storage of aggregates
use of liquid nitrogen
use of fly ash/slag cement
use of set controlling admixtures
(POZZOLITH

, POLYHEED

, RHEOBUILD

, DELVO

Stabilizer,
DELVO

ESC)
use of an evaporation reducer (CONFILM

)
Potential Problems
The potential problems of hot weather can occur at any
time of the year in warm tropical or arid climates and
generally occur during the summer season in other
climates. Problems associated with freshly-mixed concrete
placed during hot weather conditions include increased:
water demand (see Figure 2)
rate of slump loss
tendency for retempering
rate of setting (see Table 1)
difficulty in handling, placing, compacting and finishing
occurrence of plastic shrinkage cracking
amount of air-entraining admixture to entrain air
need for early curing
In hardened concrete, hot weather can increase:
drying shrinkage and differential thermal cracking
permeability
and decrease:
compressive and flexural strength
durability
watertightness
uniformity of surface appearance
ACI 305-91 report on, Hot Weather Concreting, states
that concrete can be produced in hot weather without
maximum limits on placing temperatures and will perform
satisfactorily if proper precautions are observed in propor-
tioning, production, delivery, placing and curing. As part of
these precautions, an effort should be made to keep
concrete temperature as low as practical.
T =
30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110
260
270
280
290
300
310
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(
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)
(184)
(178)
(172)
(166)
(161)
(154)
(0) (4) (10) (16) (21) (27) (32) (38) (44)
3
Concrete temperature, F (C)
Slump: 3 in. (76 mm) Max. size agg.: 1-
1
/2 in. (38 mm)
3
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
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40
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120
160
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280
320
Reduction in concrete temperature,F
W
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)
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(
3
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1
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F

(
3
8

C
)
Figure 2
Effect of Concrete Mix Temperature on
Water Requirement
Source: PCA, "Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures"
Temperature Approximate Setting Time
100 F (38 C) 1-2/3 hours
90 F (32 C) 2-2/3 hours
80 F (27 C) 4 hours
70 F (21 C) 6 hours
60 F (16 C) 8 hours
50 F (10 C) 10-2/3 hours
40 F ( 4 C) 14-2/3 hours
Table 1
Setting Time of Concrete at Various Temperatures
Figure 3
Effect of Cooled Mixing Water on
Concrete Temperature
Source: ACI 305R-91, "Hot Weather Concreting"
The use of slower setting cements may improve the
handling characteristics of concrete in hot weather. A 10 F
(5 C) to 15 F (8 C) temperature rise per 100 lb (45 kg) of
cement occurs from cement hydration. The temperature
increase from cement hydration is directly proportional to
its cement content.
Fly ash, other pozzolans and ground granulated blast-
furnace slag are used as partial replacements for
portland cement and impart a slower rate of setting
and strength development to concrete, both of which
are desirable in hot weather concreting.
The requirements to achieve good results in hot weather
concrete placing and curing are no different than those for
other seasons. Concrete should be placed where it will
remain and in shallow layers to allow adequate vibration;
use sunscreens, shades, wind breaks, cure and protect
from moisture loss; place at times to escape the heat of day.
Chemical Admixtures
Chemical admixtures conforming to ASTM C 494 Types B,
Retarding; D, Water-reducing and retarding and G, High-
range water-reducing and retarding, are beneficial for
concrete placed during hot weather. Benefits obtained
from these admixtures include:
lower water demand - minimum 5%
improved workability during placing
slower rate of setting time (see Figure 4)
lower rate of heat evolution
increased compressive strength
In addition, Type G admixtures also provide a minimum of
12% water reduction and extended slump retention of
rheoplastic concrete - slump > 7 in. (175 mm).
Master Builders, Inc. offers a complete family of retarding
admixtures that conform to ASTM C 494 requirements.
Typical performance data is as follows:
Table 2
Typical Performance Data
Concrete & Ambient Temperature 90 F (32 C)
70 F (21 C)**
Setting Time
ASTM Dosage Retardation
Product C 494 fl oz/cwt vs.
Designation (mL/100 kg) Plain Concrete
(h:min)
POZZOLITH 100 XR B & D 2 (130) +2:30
Conventional water-reducing 5 (330) +8:55
and retarding admixture
POLYHEED RI B & D 6 (390) +1:38
Mid-range water-reducing 12 (780) +4:49
and retarding admixture
RHEOBUILD 716 I B & G 11 (720) +1:00**
High-range water-reducing 13 (850) +3:20**
and retarding admixture
DELVO Stabilizer B & D 2 (130) +0:45
Hydration control 6 (390) +2:00
admixture (Liquid)
DELVO ESC B & D 4 (260)* +2:15**
Hydration control (1/4 puck)
admixture (Dry Formulation)
*1 DELVO ESC PUCK = 16 fl oz (470 mL) of Liquid DELVO Stabilizer
Your Master Builders sales representative will help you
select the formulation that best serves your needs.
Miscellaneous Products
Polypropylene synthetic fibers (Fibermesh*) reduce the
formation of plastic settlement and shrinkage cracks. In
addition, these fibers:
reinforce against plastic shrinkage crack formation
hold cracks together
reinforce against abrasion
are compatible with all surface treatments
The use of an evaporation reducer (CONFILM) will enhance
the quality of the concrete. This monomolecular film:
reduces surface moisture evaporation
reduces crusting, plastic shrinkage cracks
increases amount of surface handled per finisher
reduces overall finishing costs
is NOT a finishing aid
is NOT a curing compound for concrete
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1000
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5000
500
ASTM C-403
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p
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(
m
p
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Time, Hours
Final
set
Initial
set
No admixture
With retarder
(34.4)
(27.6)
(20.7)
(13.8)
(6.9)
(3.4)
73F (22C)
90F (32C)
Source: PCA, "Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures"
Figure 4
Effect of Concrete Temperature and
Retarder on Setting Time
Solutions
Strength, durability and other desired properties of concrete
can be obtained in hot weather through the use of the
following techniques:
use of cool concrete ingredients
avoiding prolonged mixing of concrete materials
protection of materials and equipment from hot weather
good scheduling (plan hot weather placements)
proper testing techniques (e.g. ASTM C 31)
Curing
Curing is the maintenance of a satisfactory moisture
content and temperature in concrete during its early stages
so that desired properties may develop (see Figure 5).
The minimum recommended curing period is 7 days.
Inadequate curing can cause plastic shrinkage cracking
and impair strength development and durability.
Methods of curing include:
1. Moist curing (ponding, continuous sprinkling
and fogging)
2. Wet coverings (wet burlap, etc.)
3. Impervious paper and plastic sheets - white
curing sheets
4. Membrane-forming curing compounds
Summary
Hot weather difficulties are chiefly caused by high concrete
temperatures and rapid evaporation of water from con-
crete. These conditions adversely affect the quality of
concrete since the rate of setting is accelerated, strength is
reduced and cracks may occur in either the plastic or
hardened state. Curing is more critical and air-entrainment
more difficult to attain in hot weather, and field strength
specimens are affected in the same manner as the
concrete in place. If all precautions and recommended ACI
(American Concrete Institute) concreting practices are
followed, successful hot weather concreting can be
achieved.
Registered Trademark MBT Holding AG
1999 Master Builders, Inc.
* Fibermesh is a trademark of Synthetic Industries
SAP# 112558
Printed in U.S.A. 6/00
Master Builders, Inc. has the products and technical expertise to assist the entire construction team (owners,
specifiers, contractors, and ready mixed concrete producers) in the design, manufacture, delivery, placement and
curing of quality concrete in HOT WEATHER. For further information or assistance, contact your local Master
Builders sales representative or by phoning our Customer Service Department.
3 7 90 180
0
25
50
75
100
125
150
28
Age, Days
Moist-cured entire time
In air after 7 days
In air after 3 days
In air entire time
Source: PCA, Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures
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Figure 5
Effect of Curing on
Compressive Strength of Concrete
Master Builders, Inc.
United States
23700 Chagrin Boulevard
Cleveland, Ohio 44122-5554
1-800-MBT-9990
Fax: 216/831-6910
Canada
1800 Clark Blvd.
Brampton, Ontario L6T 4M7
Phone: 800-387-5862
Fax: 905-792-0651
Mexico
Blvd. M. Avila Camacho 80 3er Piso
53390 Naucalpan, Mexico
011-525-557-5544
Fax: 011-525-395-7903