Professional Documents
Culture Documents
CCAA HOT WEATHER CONCRETING - pdf0 PDF
CCAA HOT WEATHER CONCRETING - pdf0 PDF
2004
HOT-WEATHER Concreting
placement and finishing at any time. and wind speed, to estimate the rate at which water
This data sheet provides guidance on the effects will evaporate from the surface of the concrete. As a
of hot weather conditions on the properties of general rule, if the rate of evaporation is greater
concrete, and the precautions that should be taken, than 1 kg of water per square metre of concrete per
particularly with flatwork, to minimize any potential hour (1 kg/m2/h), then precautions against
adverse effects when placing concrete under these premature drying and plastic shrinkage cracking
conditions. should be taken.
Alternatively, the rate of evaporation can be
WHAT IS HOT WEATHER? calculated from the following equation:
For the purposes of this data sheet, hot weather is
any combination of: E = 5([Tc + 18]2.5 – r[Ta + 18]2.5)(V + 4) x 10-6
■ high ambient temperature;
■ low relative humidity; where
■ high wind speed. E = evaporation rate, kg/m2/h
AS 13791 places a 35°C limit on the maximum r = relative humidity/100
concrete temperature at the time of delivery. Ta = air temperature, °C
However, when the air temperature rises above Tc = concrete (water surface) temperature, °C
30°C, it is usually recommended that precautions V = wind velocity, km/h.
be taken, particularly if there is also hot dry wind.
>
90
80
30
70
60
25
50
40 20
30
15
20
10
10
5
1.0 5
NOTE: Evaporation rates approaching
1.0 kg/m2/h are likely to necessitate 0.5 0
precautions against premature drying
0
RATE OF WATER EVAPORATION (kg/m2/h)
Figure 1: Effect of concrete and air temperatures, relative humidity and wind velocity on the rate of
evaporation of surface moisture from concrete (after ACI 305 2)
7
100
6
80
5
4 60
3
40
2
20
1
0 0
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 0 10 20 30 40 50
AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE (°C) FRESH CONCRETE TEMPERATURE (°C)
Figure 2: Influence of air temperature on setting Figure 3: Decrease in workability of fresh concrete
times of concrete made with Type GP cement (as measured by slump), made with constant water
content, as temperature increases
120
23°C ■ Concrete temperature Hot weather conditions
100
30°C may accentuate the temperature rise in concrete
40°C caused by the heat of hydration. In large sections
80
50°C thermal gradients through the element may
cause thermal cracking. Laboratory tests show
60
that sustained higher temperatures significantly
influence the compressive strength gain of
40
hardened concrete Figure 4. While increased
concrete temperatures may result in an increase
20
Specimens moist-cured at temperature indicated, in the early rate of strength gain, in the longer
for first 28 days, then moist-cured at 23°C thereafter term, concrete cured at lower temperatures will
0
1 3 7 28 90 365 achieve higher ultimate strength.
AGE (days)
■ Poor surface appearance With the increased
Figure 4: Effect of high curing temperatures on rate of evaporation, the surface of the concrete
concrete compressive strength will dry out and stiffen. In the case of flatwork
this may lead to premature finishing of the
surface, trapping an amount of bleed water
EFFECTS OF HOT WEATHER CONDITIONS within the mix. The compacted surface layer
Most of the problems associated with placing (from finishing) may cause the rising bleed water
concrete in hot weather conditions relate to the to be trapped below the surface, resulting in
increased rate of cement hydration at higher debonding of the surface layer and subsequent
temperatures and the increased rate of evaporation flaking. Also, colour differences on the surface
of moisture from the fresh concrete. may result from different rates of hydration and
The properties of concrete that may be affected cooling effects.
by hot weather conditions include:
■ Plastic shrinkage cracking Hot weather
■ Setting time As the concrete temperature conditions accelerate the loss of moisture from
increases, the setting time, and thus the time to the surface. If the rate of evaporation is greater
place, compact and finish the concrete is than the rate of bleeding (rate at which water
reduced Figure 2. rises to the surface), surface drying will occur,
resulting in shrinkage of the concrete. When the
■ Workability and slump Higher temperatures shrinkage stresses exceed the tensile capacity
reduce the workability (or slump) of the of the concrete, cracking will occur. The
concrete more rapidly with time Figure 3. likelihood of plastic shrinkage cracking is
Adding more water to improve the workability of therefore greater whenever hot weather
the mix decreases the strength and increases conditions increase evaporation or the concrete
the permeability, and ultimately affects the has a reduced bleeding rate. Plastic shrinkage
durability of the concrete. cracks can be quite deep, as the plastic concrete
has little capacity to resist shrinkage stresses,
■ Compressive strength Higher water demand and cracks continue to widen and propagate
and higher concrete temperature could lead to until the shrinkage stresses are relieved. (Note
reduced 28-day strengths. If more water is added plastic shrinkage cracks seldom extend to free
to the concrete mix at higher temperatures to edges, as unrestrained contraction of the
maintain or restore workability, the water- concrete is possible at these locations.)
cement ratio will be increased, resulting in a
loss of both potential strength and durability. ■ Thermal cracking Concrete is at risk of thermal
This may also increase the drying shrinkage of cracking when it is first placed, and the heat of
the hardened concrete. Where water is not hydration raises the temperature of the interior
added, the reduced setting time and workability of the concrete. Rapid changes in the
increase the potential for inadequate compaction temperature of the external concrete surface,
(itself of a major influence on strength), the such as when concrete slabs, walls or pavements
formation of cold joints and poor finishes. are placed on a hot day followed by a cool night,
lead to thermal gradients between the warm/hot
interior and the colder external surface. The
warmer interior provides a restraint to the
colder external surface, which wants to contract.
Page 3 of 7 > HOT-WEATHER Concreting
Depending on the temperature differential, ■ Admixtures Various types of chemical
cracking of the concrete may result. Massive or admixtures can be beneficial in hot weather
thick concrete elements are more at risk conditions. Water reducers (plasticisers) can be
because of the insulating effect that the concrete used to reduce the water content or to aid the
provides to the interior of the element. workability. This enables rapid placement and
consolidation of the concrete with beneficial
MINIMISING THE EFFECTS OF HOT WEATHER effects on the ultimate strength and durability.
CONDITIONS Set-retarders can provide additional time to
■ Control concrete temperature AS 1379 requires place and finish flatwork. With rapid drying of
that concrete temperatures at the point of the surface, caution is required with the use of
delivery be within the range 5°C to 35°C. For set retarders, as the surface may appear ready
high ambient temperatures, precautions need to for finishing, but the concrete below may still be
be taken by the supplier to ensure that the plastic from the retarder, leading to a ‘spongy’
concrete temperature at the point of delivery is feel under foot. This could affect the uniformity
within the allowable range. of the surface finish.
There are a number of options to control the
temperature of concrete, including adjusting the ■ Cement type Selection of a particular cement
temperature of the ingredients and/or cooling of type may provide additional benefits. Using
the concrete mix. The sensitivity of the slower hydration cements (eg Type LH) with
temperature of a normal concrete mixture to lower rate of heat development can provide
that of its components can be demonstrated by extra time for placing and finishing, reduce the
the following formula: concrete temperature and the risk of thermal
cracking upon cooling of the concrete.
T = 0.1 Tc + 0.6Ta + 0.3Tw
■ Cement content The temperature increase
where from hydration of cement in a given concrete is
T = concrete temperature proportional to its cement content. The cement
Tc = temperature of the cement content therefore should be limited to that
Ta = temperature of the aggregate required to provide strength and durability.
Tw = temperature of the water.
PRECAUTIONS IN HOT WEATHER CONDITIONS
Because aggregates make up the bulk of the ■ General Problems usually arise when site
concrete, and also have the highest heat personnel are not aware of the effect of weather
capacity, they have the greatest effect on the conditions and/or weather conditions change
temperature of the freshly mixed concrete. during the placing and/or finishing of the
Unfortunately the temperature of the concrete. Improvised responses to unexpected
aggregates is also the most difficult to control. changes is not recommended as the damage
Some benefit can be gained from shading that can result from uncontrolled effects of hot
stockpiles from the sun and/or keeping them weather conditions may never be completely
moist with sprinklers. Storage in bins (painted alleviated.
white) will also assist. The first option to be considered in hot, adverse
The mix water offers the most potential for weather conditions is whether or not to
temperature reduction, particularly by adding postpone the placement of concrete. It is often
crushed ice to it, as the latent heat of the ice is better to wait than risk costly repairs (or even
considerably higher than that of water. replacement) of defective work and dissatisfied
The temperature of the cement does not usually clients seeking compensation. If work is to
contribute significantly to the temperature of proceed, proper planning from careful selection
freshly mixed concrete because of its low specific of materials to procedures for hot weather work
heat and relatively small mass in the mix. is essential if the associated risks are to be
Liquid nitrogen, injected into the concrete while minimised.
mixing, may also be utilised. Latent thermal
energy on vaporisation to gas cools the concrete ■ Planning A successful, well-run, hot-weather
dramatically without any known deleterious project is the result of thorough and careful
effect. It should be noted that this process is planning. Planning for hot weather conditions is
usually economical only on major projects essential because of the potential effects on
involving construction of large concrete elements. fresh and recently placed concrete. For plastic
PERTH OFFICE:
45 Ventnor Avenue
West Perth WA 6005
TELEPHONE: (61 8) 9389 4452
FACSIMILE: (61 8) 9389 4451
ADELAIDE OFFICE:
Greenhill Executive Suites
213 Greenhill Road
Eastwood SA 5063
POSTAL ADDRESS:
PO Box 229
Fullarton SA 5063
TELEPHONE: (61 8) 8274 3758
FACSIMILE: (61 8) 8373 7210
EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRIES OFFICE
Enterprise House
136 Greenhill Road
Unley SA 5061
TELEPHONE: (61 8) 8300 0180
FACSIMILE: (61 8) 8300 0001
TASMANIAN OFFICE:
EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRIES OFFICE
PO Box 59
Riverside TAS 7250
TELEPHONE: (61 3) 6330 2476
FACSIMILE: (61 3) 6330 2179
WEBSITE: www.concrete.net.au
EMAIL: info@ccaa.com.au