CE 310 LECTURE 4

COLD WEATHER CONCRETING

(ACI 306)
MILITARY COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
RISALPUR

INTRODUCTION
Definition

OBJECTIVES
Prevent damage to concrete due to freezing at early ages.
Ensure that the concrete develops the required strength for safe
removal of forms and safe loading during and after construction.
Maintain curing conditions that foster normal strength
development without using excessive heat
Limit rapid temperature changes, particularly before the concrete
has developed sufficient strength to withstand thermal stresses.
Rapid cooling of concrete can cause cracking which is detrimental
to strength and durability.
Provide protection consistent with serviceability of the structure

PRINCIPLES
Concrete that is protected from freezing until it has attained a
compressive strength of at least 500 psi will not be damaged by
exposure to single freezing cycle.
The above concrete will mature to its potential strength despite
subsequent exposure to cold weather.
Where a specified concrete strength must be attained in a few days
or weeks, protection at temperature above 50oF (10oC) is required.
Except within heated protective temperatures, little or no external
supply of moisture is required for curing during cold weather.
Under certain conditions, calcium chloride should not be used to
accelerate setting and hardening because of the increased chances
of corrosion of reinforcement.

PRINCIPLES
Pre-hardening Period
It is the length of time for which the concrete must be kept above
freezing temperature so that it can safely resist the damaging effect
of subsequent freezing temperature.
The length of pre-hardening period varies with type and amount of
cement (water cement ratio) and weather an accelerator is used or
not. Higher the cement content, lesser the pre-hardening period
Similarly pre-hardening period is less for rapid hardening
cement and if accelerator is used.
A concrete (which has been protected from freezing temperature
until it reaches a pre-requisite maturity and compressive strength)
can be exposed with safety provided that:
Concrete is not saturated when exposed to freezing temp.
Cement content is not less than 500 lb/cu yd.

PRINCIPLES
Pre-hardening period (in Hours)= required maturity/
(ambient
temp+10oC)
Maturity required for 3000 psi concrete= 1050 C hours

3750

= 780

6000
= 480

For example, pre-hardening period for 3000 psi concrete at 5 o C

can be found as follows;
Pre-hardening period=1050/(5+10) = 70 Hours
Protective measures must be continued until the pre-hardening
period is complete. Pre-hardening period can be reduced by 15 %
if rapid hardening cement is used.

MATURITY OF CONCRETE
The strength of concrete and its ability to resist freezing temp can,
be predicted on basis of maturity. It depends both on the age and
curing temp and is defined as the product of curing temp (Co) and
time (hours). Base of the temp scale is taken at -10 o C. Below
12oC, concrete does not appear to gain strength with time.
Maturity = time(in Hours)x (temp in Co+ 10)
Metric: M = (C + 10) t
Inch-Pound: M = (F 14) t

where
M = maturity factor
= summation
C = concrete temperature, degrees
Celsius
F = concrete temperature, degrees
Fahrenheit
t = duration of curing at
temperature C (F), usually in hours

EFFECT OF FROST ON FRESH

CONCRETE
If the concrete which has not yet set is allowed to freeze, there is
an increase in volume due to freezing of water. Increase in volume
of concrete is more for fresh concrete. It is because very little
water is consumed in hydration of cement and almost all is
available for freezing. As the water freezes, no water is available
for hydration and the setting and hardening of concrete is delayed.
The process of setting will remain suspended till thawing takes
place. After thawing, if concrete is re-vibrated then it will set and
harden, and there will be no loss of strength.
The lack of vibration will leave the voids formed by the crystals
and the concrete will be very porous and will have low strength.
Re-vibration if applied too late can damage the concrete.

EFFECT OF FROST ON FRESH

CONCRETE
If the freezing takes place after concrete has set, but before it has
developed enough strength, an expansion associated with freezing
causes disruption and irreparable loss to the strength takes place.

EFFECT OF FROST ON
HARDENED CONCRETE
Dry concrete is not damaged by freezing and thawing.
When a water saturated concrete is subjected to freeze and thaw
cycle, its compressive strength reduces in proportion to the number
of cycles such that after a certain number of cycles, the strength
may be negligible.
When water freezes in pores of concrete, it expands, exerts
pressure and disrupts the concrete. Due to this pressure, freezing
temperature is lowered. Smaller the void, greater the pressure and
hence lower is the temperature required for freezing.
Thus water starts freezing in large voids, such that in the gel pores,
which are extremely small, the water never freezes in the range of
our concern, i.e. -78oC. It is for this reason that air entrained
concrete is used in cold areas.

FROST RESISTANT CONCRETE

Use of Low Water Cement Ratio
With low water cement ratio, voids formed in concrete are
small and less / no water freezes in them. The quantity of water
available is also less because a portion of water is consumed in
hydration of cement. Maximum water cement ratio for frost
resistant concrete under various conditions are given in ACI Code
chapter 4.
Air Entrainment. Air entrained concrete shows good frost resistance.
Entrained air should be distinguished from accidentally entrapped
air. The entrained air produces very small bubbles (0.002
inch) and uniformly dispersed. In the initial stage of freezing, the
voids relieve the hydraulic pressure developed during the process
of freezing.

FROST RESISTANT CONCRETE

Allow concrete to dry out before exposure to winter conditions.
Good Compaction of Concrete. Concrete should be compacted
well so as to reduce the voids and avoid honey combing.
Segregation must also be prevented by exercising due care in
mixing and placing.

MINIMIZING EFFECT OF COLD

WEATHER
Provide wind breaker for mixing/ batching plant and at site as
shown.
Use heated Mixing Water. Maximum temperature of heated water
should not exceed 60-80oC depending on the difference of
temperature of cement and water. Temperature difference can be
reduced by changing the order of feeding of ingredients. Hot water
can cause flash set of cement.
Defrosting and Heating of Aggregate. Maximum temperature of
heated aggregate should not exceed 52oC. This is done by passing
steam through coils rather than by the use of live steam. Live
steam causes variation of moisture content.

WIND BREAKERS

Fig. Wind breakers used in cold weather

MINIMIZING EFFECT OF COLD

WEATHER
Heating Concrete. If temperature of concrete is required to be
controlled for longer duration, it is best done by keeping concrete
in artificially heated enclosure
Heating can be done by steam/hot water steel jackets
Concrete can be heated by passing electric current
Heating of enclosure could be done by oil but it should be such
that concrete does not dry out and no excessive CO2
concentration results
Insulation of Concrete. Control of temperature could be obtained
by insulating the concrete from the atmosphere by using tarpulain,
or insulating blankets. They must be acquired before adverse
weather condition occur.

Direct-Fired Heater

Indirect-Fired Heater

Insulating Blankets

MINIMIZING EFFECT OF COLD

WEATHER
Rich Mixes. Control of temperature of concrete at early stages can
be obtained by using rich mixes. ACI code chapter 4 lay out
maximum water cement ratios for different classes of exposure.
Use of Rapid and Extra Rapid Hardening cement. They generate a
greater heat of hydration during initial period of time thus helping
to maintain a higher temperature. Rapid rate of strength
development reduces the pre-hardening period.
Use of Accelerator. Calcium chloride and other accelerating
admixtures can be used in concrete. They accelerate the hydration
process resulting in greater production of heat of hydration of
cement and rapid strength development in the initial period after
placing. Calcium chloride should not be used in reinforced and
pre- stressed concrete construction.

MINIMIZING EFFECT OF COLD

WEATHER
Use of Potash(Kclo3). It depresses the freezing temperature of
water thereby delaying the freezing of concrete and allowing it to
gain strength. Potash accelerates the setting time of cement so a
retarder must also be used. It has no adverse effect.
Concrete should not be placed in contact with freezing surface. It
should be kept warm. Timber formwork should be used.
Use of Light Weight aggregate is advantageous in concrete in cold
weather. It has low thermal conductivity so it retains heat for
longer periods.