Sydney Perth

Building & Construction PO Box 10, Brookton BC PO Box 2357, Clarkson,

Research & Consultancy NSW 2100, Australia WA 6030, Australia
BCRC Tel: 02 9939 7533 Tel: 08 9407 5363
Fax: 02 9939 7544 Fax: 08 9407 4031

TN 004 HOT WEATHER CONCRETING

1. INTRODUCTION 3. CONSULTANTS ROLE
Hot weather can cause serious concrete strength, The Consultant is concerned with the finished
durability and workability problems. Because of this product. He need to ensure it meets the long term
most specifications include limits on the delivered strength and durability requirements. Although not
and in place early age concrete temperatures. concerned with how this is achieved standard testing
BCRC recognise this is a simplified approach to a of cylinders may not reflect insitu characteristic and
complex problem and require the Contractor give his there are no accepted ways of testing concrete
detailed concrete supply and placing consideration insitu. Hence, consultants generally limit concrete
when temperatures might exceed specified limits. This delivered temperature and delivery times in order to
allows relaxation of the hot weather specification ensure the cured concrete is satisfactory.
requirements where it can be shown that the placing
3.1 STRENGTH LOSS DUE TO HIGH CONCRETE TEMPERATURE
conditions and materials used are such that higher
DURING CURING
temperatures will not adversely affect the concrete
properties. Bamforth (1980) matched cured concrete cubes
This technical note outlines the types of hot weather representing 2m thick foundations with 300-500kg/m3
issues that can arise and give the responsibilities of of fly ash (FA), Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag
each company in the supply chain in relation to the (GGBFS) and General Purpose (GP) cement and
problems that can arise, as summarized in Figure 1. compared the results to laboratory cured (20°C)
cubes. The results (Figure 2) indicated a significant
Figure 1 : Responsibility of the Various Parties For Hot
decrease in concrete strength with temperature for
Weather Concrete Problems
GP cements. FA and GGBFS concrete faired
significantly better. Low insitu strength is taken into
account in design by materials factors but a 30%
Consultant 5 Low Insitu Strength
strength reduction due to thermal effects alone may
5 High Insitu Penetrability
be unacceptable. This suggests the allowable
5 DEF Risk temperature rise for GP cements should be lower
Contractor 0Finish
than that allowed for GGBFS and fly ash cements.
0Cold Joints
0Insitu Temp. Figure 2 : Strength Variation of Different Cement
0Delaminations Systems at Different Curing
0Plastic cracking Temperatures
0Thermal Cracking
Premix Supplier 6 Cost
6 Cylinder Strength
6 Delivered Temp.
6 Slump

2. WHAT IS HOT WEATHER CONCRETEING

ACI 305R-91 states that hot weather is “any
combination of the following conditions that tend to
impair the quality of freshly mixed or hardened
concrete by accelerating the rate of moisture loss
and rate of cement hydration, or otherwise resulting The reduced strength is due to microcracking and
in detrimental results: change in chemical composition. Verbeck (1968)
a) High ambient temperature found that at high curing temperatures a shell made
b) High concrete temperature up of low permeability hydration products forms
c) Low relative humidity around the cement grains preventing the subsequent
d) wind velocity full hydration of the cement grain. This potentially
e) solar radiation” leads to increased permeability.

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 Building & Construction Page 2 of 1
Research & Consultancy Tn 004 Hot Weather Concreting
BRC
development for a 1m thick slab on grade assuming
Delayed Ettringite Formation (DEF) also become an
50MPa concrete and typical Perth temperatures for
issue for concrete cured at high temperatures. DEF is
July (Max 18°C, Min 8°C) and February (Max 31°C,
an internal sulphate attack that eventually leads to
Min 18°C). Concrete temperatures are assumed to
cracking. The principle methods of eliminating the risk
be 4°C above maximum ambient consistent with a 12
of DEF are:
Noon delivery. The concrete temperature in summer
ƒ Limit curing temperature to 70°C for GP cements
for a GP cement mix assuming the concrete
ƒ Exclude water access
temperature is held to the same as the winter
ƒ Include a minimum of 20% FA or 50% GGPFS in the
concrete temperature is also shown. Finally the affect
mix
of insulating the GP cement in summer is shown.
In order to limit the effects of strength loss, and DEF
formation, BRC generally specify maximum
temperatures of 80°C for concrete with a minimum of This shows that for thick elements (i.e. those generally
20% FA or 50% GGPFS or 8% CSF and 70°C for other of concern)
concrete. If these limits are unduly onerous higher a) ambient temperature has little affect on the
limits can be considered on a case by case basis. maximum concrete temperature but the
These limits apply to precast concrete and insitu increase in maximum temperature is similar to
placed concrete. the increase in concrete delivered
temperature regardless of cement type. In the
3.2 TEMPERATURE RISE DURING HYDRATION
example shown the GP cement mix in winter
The concrete temperature during hydration depends does not exceed the maximum allowable
on a number of factors but can be predicted based temperature for GP cement (70°C) but in
on the mix, the ambient conditions, the element summer it does, showing the need to be
geometry and the construction method. cognizant of the change in seasons
Figure 3 – a) Maximum Temperature and b) Temperature b) Insulation is an excellent way of reducing
Differential for 1m slab cast at 12Noon in Perth using GP through section differentials without increasing
maximum temperature
80 c) Use of LH cement reduces significantly the
maximum temperature and hence the
eb

Un 25m
-in m
GP, F

12C sul ply

70 .
temperature differential
°C))
Temperature ((°C

12C
60 d) Lowering concrete delivered temperature in
summer reduces the temperature differential
Feb
,

by a commensurate amount as it reduces

LH

50
maximum temperature but not concrete
l
, Ju

GP, Feb Concrete 22C

LH

40 GP, Jul Concrete 22C

surface temperature
30
For 50MPa Concrete
The significant affect of concrete delivered
and 1m thick slab temperature on maximum insitu temperature and
20
24 48 72 96 120 144 temperature differential must be taken into account
Time (Hrs) by the Contractor in achieving the insitu concrete
temperatures. The Consultant can not take all
50
construction factors into account and should specify
maximum insitu temperatures rather than delivered
40
°C))

temperature as the means of ensuring high insitu

Temperature ((°C

temperatures do not lead to low insitu strengths and

30 durability. To show that the Contractor has taken due
GP

account of temperature rise and differential limits the

Consultant can specify that before pouring the
LH

20

GP, Feb, 25mm ply

GP, Feb, 22C concrete Contractor is to demonstrates how the specified limits
10 will be achieved and monitored.
For 50MPa Concrete
and 1m thick slab
0 4. CONTRACTORS
24 48 72 96 120 144
Time (Hrs)
cement in summer and winter 4.1 SETTING TIME, COLD JOINTS, FINISHING AND DELAMINATIONS
In hot weather a mix will set 25% quicker for each 5°C rise
To give an indication of the effect of hot weather in concrete temperature. A mix with a setting time of 10hrs
Figure 3 shows the maximum temperature at 10°C will set in 2.5hrs at 35°C. This can make handling,

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compaction and finishing very difficult. Reduced setting
times can be overcome by use of SCM’s and retarders.
Burg (1996) results Figure show that the cement type also
has a significant affect. Use of high slag blends retards the
setting significantly more at low temperature than at high
temperatures.
The reduced setting time can result in cold joints as
concrete sets before the pour is bought to final level and
poor quality surface as the concrete is dry to finish. If the
surface of the concrete sets quickly, or stiffens due to
evaporation, the bleed water from the underlying bulk
concrete can get trapped and lead to a delamination. This
can be a particular issue when concrete is placed early
and the concrete temperature is cool.
Figure 4 - Effect of Temperature on Setting Time
15
Initial Set
12 Cement A
Final Set
Initial Set
Cement B
Time (hrs)
Page 3 of 2
Tn 004 Hot Weather Concreting
This is valid for Perth at sea level but for other
locations air pressure may need to be taken into
account. A spreadsheet is available on the web.
The assessment criteria often quoted is that when the
evaporation rate exceeds 1kg/m2/hr then,
evaporation rate is likely to exceed the bleed rate
and plastic cracking may be an issue. This takes no
account of the factors that affect bleed. Bleed can
be measured to AS1012 Pt 6 but this is seldom
undertaken as it is hard work for the premix supplier
and most specifiers do not know how to interpret the
result.
When measured, bleed (B%) is generally quoted as a
% of the free water (W lt/m3). If the free water is W
lts/m3 and the thickness of pour H m, the total
available bleed water is BWH. The length of the bleed
period (T) varies with temperature, cement type and
admixture and T is also obtained from the bleed test.
The bleed of the first concrete poured is remixed into
subsequent concrete and it is only after pour

9 Final Set completion that the bleed begins to accumulate.

ASTM C403 Hence, the pour rate (P) is also important. Assuming
6 that the bleed rate is uniform up to the point of bleed
cessation the expected thickness of bleed water
(and ultimate settlement) can be calculated as
3 shown in Figure 5.
Figure 5 – Method of Calculating the Total Bleed and Rate
0 of Bleed for a Concrete Pour
10°C
10° 23°C
23° 32°C
32°
Casting Temperature Pour Height = H(m)
Placing rate = P(m/hr)
Free water = W(lt/m3)
Bleed

Total Bleed =
4.2 PLASTIC CRACKING BWH (Hrs) Bleed Rate = B (% free
water/100)
When evaporation loss exceeds the concrete bleed rate Bleed Period = T (Hrs)
water loss from the concrete surface, a volumetric
contraction of the fresh concrete occurs and short, T (Hrs)
irregular plastic cracks result. They can be from few
Pour Height (H)

Bleed to occur after pour

centimeters to just under 1 m long. The crack spacing completion
=BWH(1-0.5(H/PT)
varys from a few centimeters to 0.6 m apart. Rate of bleed after pour
H/P<T
Menzel (1954) developed the method of calculating completion
=(BWH-{0.5[(H/P)/T]BWH})/T
evaporation rate form air temperature, relative humidity,
concrete temperature, and wind velocity. The nomograph H/P
is famous and was particularly useful before the days of Bleed to occur after pour
computers but today the formula given by US Federal completion
Bleed
Highways Administration can be used: H/P>T =[BWH-BWP(H/P-T)
complete
H = 0.5BWPT
T Rate of bleed after pour
x completion
=0.5BWP
Where H/P
ER = evaporation rate (kg/m2/hr)
RH = Relative humidity (%)
AT = Air temperature (°C) The bleed rate needs to exceed the evaporation rate
WA = Wind velocity (km/hr) to avoid the risk of plastic cracking and the ultimate
settlement should be less than 2-3mm to avoid
cracking over bars. A more precise calculation of
allowable settlement can be estimated based on

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 Building & Construction
Page 4 of 3
Research & Consultancy Tn 004 Hot Weather Concreting
BCRC
cover, concrete properties and bar size and spacing. Figure 8 Evaporation And Bleed
The importance of controlling bleed and placing rate
can be seen by considering the two cases shown in CCAA 2004 “Precautions to be taken” Settlement
Figures 6 and 7. By adjusting the concrete mix and 2m slab, 3% bleed, placing 1m/hr 7.2mm
placing rate suitable settlements can be obtained for 300mm Slab, 1% bleed, placing one pass 0.5mm
most elements. 1.8

Evap./Bleed (lt/m2/hr)

3pm Summer
9am Winter
Figure 6 – Settlement vs Pour Height of a Given Pour Rate 1.4
for Concrete with Different Bleeds

3pm
9am
1.0
9.0
0.5 Free Water (W) lt/m3 170
8.0 Bleed Rate Bleed Period (T) hrs 4
1.0 % free 0.6
Pour Rate (P) m/hr 1
7.0 2.0 water
Bleed/Settlement (mm)

3.0 0.2
6.0 Settlement Limit
Sydney Melbourne Perth Brisbane Canberra Hobart Darwin
5.0
4.0
3.0
4.3 ACTIONS BY THE CONTRACTOR
2.0
The Contractor has to know what to expect from the
1.0 concrete supplied so that the pour can be planned
0.0 accordingly. This planing is probably the most
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2 2.2 important aspect of Hot Weather Concreting. The
Pour Height (m) Consultant can specify that the Contractor provide
an acceptable method statement for Hot Weather
Figure 7 – Settlement vs Pour Height of a Given Bleed for Concreting based on measured properties of the
different Pour Rates concrete (e.g. bleed, setting time) that is to be used.
The method statement would include actions to be
3.5 taken, including pour cancellation, based on
3.0
1 Pour Rate
(m height/hr)
expected ambient conditions. This would ensure that
2
there are steps in place that the Consultant can
Bleed or Settlement (mm)

5
2.5
Settlement Limit
check that are directly relevant to the concrete and
2.0
conditions.

1.5
The principle way of reducing plastic cracking is the
use of aliphatic alcohol but misting over the slab is
1.0 also effective. Polypropylene fibers have been
0.5
Bleed rate (B) %
3
0.6
effective in reducing plastic shrinkage cracking.
Free Water (W) lt/m 170
Bleed Period (T) hrs 4 Other options are to erect wind barriers around the
0.0 pour and to erect sunshades to protect the concrete
surface from heat.
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4
Pour Height (m)

Rapid setting problems caused by hot weather can

The 1lt/m2/hr criteria for taking precautions can be be overcome by use of retarders, reducing the
misleading as shown in Figure 8. On thin slabs high concrete delivered temperature, cooling the
bleed is acceptable, or even preferred, while on substrate, use of wind breaks and shading.
deep elements very low bleed concrete and slow Whatever the actions to be taken all the stated
rates of placement are required. equipment and materials necessary should be
checked before starting the pour.
High performance concrete generally has low bleed
due to the high fines content and bleed reduction
due to the superplasticiser. Hence, when using HPC in
thin elements protection against plastic cracking is
often essential. Research recently published shows
that early moisture loss due to evaporation can
increase the early age strain in the concrete even if
cracking does not occur and this may contribute to
larger or more frequent cracks than expected in the
long term.

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 Building & Construction
Page 5 of 4
Research & Consultancy Tn 004 Hot Weather Concreting
BCRC
5. CONCRETE PRODUCER 5.2 EXTENDED PLACING TIMES & DURABILITY
Temperature affects on strength should be
The concrete producers responsibility tends to end
considered at two times, before setting and after
once the concrete is delivered within specification
setting. This is similar to considering a pre steam
although the contractor may draw the supplier more
period and a maximum precast curing temperature.
deeply into the overall performance requirements.
The issue is potential loss of strength due to damage
The specification requirements are generally limited
of early cement hydrates during transport and
to slump, strength and temperature.
placing. Data available on strength loss in section 2
5.1 WATER DEMAND AND TEMPERATURE relates to temperatures over the whole curing period.
At a given slump concrete requires more water at Samarai (1975) note that the heat of hydration
high temperatures because of more rapid hydration increases rapidly above curing temperatures of 25-
and evaporation losses between batching and 30°C. At high temperature (>30°C) the reaction rates
delivery. For example a temperature increase from become increasingly more difficult to control and
10°C to 35°C, as shown in Figure 9, could lead to a predict and hence great care is required if the
w/c ratio increase from 0.45 to 0.50 and a 5MPa drop concrete is to be placed successfully above 30°C.
in strength for concrete batched to the same slump.
Apart from placing before set occurs strength
For higher temperatures: reduction due to delivered temperature becomes an
♦
the cement content can be increased to issue. Price showed that for sealed concrete samples
maintain the w/c ratio held at different temperatures over the first 2 hours
♦
the concrete temperature can be reduced to and then cured at 21°C, strengths reduced as
reduce hydration rate temperatures increased (Figure 10).
♦
fly ash or slag can be used to delay hydration
♦ Figure 10 : Compressive Strength Development at Different
retarders can be used to delay hydration
♦ Curing Temperatures
plasticisers can be adjusted to offset water
demand
50
Compressive Strength (MPa)

Figure 9 : Relationship Between Temperature and Water

Content 21°C
29°C
40
180
46°C
Summer w/c=0.50 38°C

30
Water Content (kg/m3)

175

170 20

5MPa 7 28 90 180
165 Age (Days)

Winter w/c=0.45 45
Compressive Strength (MPa)

160
44
180 days
43
42
41
155
40
0 10 20 30 40 39
Temperature (°C)
AS 1379 limit

38
The modifications to the concrete mix to maintain 37
36
Strength drop due to
increasing delivered
slump, w/c ratio, strength and durability are issues for 35 concrete temperature
the concrete company. However, the Contractors 34
33
28 days

Quality Manager needs to be aware that the mix will 32

change from winter to summer and needs to be 31

30
aware that these changes will affect the as placed 0 10 20
23
30 40 50
Temperature during first 2 hrs
concrete, e.g. insitu temperature rise increases in (Delivered Concrete Temperature)
summer. The specifier should ensure that the
performance changes of the mix from winter to
summer are acceptable. At 35°C (AS1379 maximum delivered temperature)
strength reduction would not be decernable in
practice. Higher strength reductions at later ages are

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 Building & Construction
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not of structural significance but they may be of
interest for durability as increased performce with
time, based on 23°C cure samples, is included in the
design life analysis.
These strength reduction where recorded
unretarded concrete.
Mittelacher (1992) evaluated the effect of placing
temperature of up to 38°C on 28day compressive
strength of set retarded concrete in Florida. He
concluded that the set retarded concrete had
strength performance characteristics at elevated
placing and curing temperatures that did not
change from those of concrete at lower
temperature, provided the placing time did not
exceed the increased workable time. This assumes
that as temperature rises, and water demand
increases, additional water is not added and
Page 6 of 5
Tn 004 Hot Weather Concreting
5.3 MAXIMUM PLACING TEMPERATURE
Published limit on placing temperature from 27-32°C are
somewhat arbitrary. Strength of concrete reduces as
delivered temperatures increases. The limit of 32°C used
by BRC (WA) has developed from experience, which
for
shows slump loss above 32°C, in non-retarded concrete, is
extremely rapid and there is a real risk that concrete will be
compacted after hydration has commenced. Retarder
affects also reduce quickly at higher temperatures.
5.4 BATCHED CONCRETE TEMPERATURE
The concrete temperature can be calculated from the
specific heat of the of each component of the concrete.
Results for a typical mix are shown in Figure 11.
Figure 11- Effect of Temperature of Mix Ingredient on
Concrete Temperature
36

Temp (°C)
°C))
Concrete Temperature ((°C
manufacturers recommended admixture dosages
are not exceeded. It is noted that this work relates to 32 35Water
28day strengths and does not consider the longer 30
term affect on durability. 25
28 20
Recognising the high cost of keeping delivered
concrete temperatures down, and as local research 44kg water replaced with ice
had shown that at 38°C retarded concrete did not 24 35
167 kg/m3 Water
suffer strength loss problems, Florida Department of 1839 kg/m3 Aggregate
Transports increased the specified delivered 20 335 kg/m3 Cement at 66°C
20
temperature from 27°C to 38°C as part of a 24 26 28 30 35
specification review of all parts of a project. In (°C))
Aggregate Temperature (°C
essence this accepted that mix design, transport,
placing all played a part in the significance of
delivered temperature. This approach may be Estimated cost of the various methods of reducing
appropriate provided the quality system ensures the concrete temperature are shown in Table 1. Because
Contractor keeps to the requirements of the concrete temperature reduction can have significant
specification and full account is taken of the cost implications specifications should endeavour to
potential for reduced insitu strength and durability. enable the supplier to use higher temperatures where
they can demonstrate it will not lead to poor quality
The use of set retarders in hot weather concrete can concrete. It may well be cheaper for the contractor
give highly extended working times as shown by the to organise for short delivery and placing times than
Foundations for Raffles City ( refer to “Hot Weather reduce the concrete temperature.
Concreting” Singapore Concrete Institute, 1987)
Table 1 – Approximate Cost of Reducing Concrete
where concrete at 30-32°C was retarded for up to
Temperature
8hrs without the use of ice or chilled water. This highly
extended working time becomes necessary in some Method Cost Concrete Implications
large pours and the affect on bleed and settlement implications
must be taken into account. The use of retarders to Shade Negligible Concrete temperature
extend transport times is generally less demanding. aggregates reduced by 3-4°C
Where extended placing times and higher delivered Use of chilled A$0.20/°C Concrete temperature
temperatures are sought by the contractor they may water reduced by 6°C
be accepted based on previous history of the mix or Use of crushed A$2.50/°C Concrete temperature
trial mixes that record slump loss with time and an ice reduced by 6-8°C
appropriate durability parameter. Project mix trials, Use of liquid A$3.00/°C Concrete down to 10°C
undertaken with various retarder dosages, will show nitrogen
how the retarders affect “workability extension time”.

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Page 7 of 6
Research & Consultancy Tn 004 Hot Weather Concreting
BCRC
Cooling aggregates by shading or covering with a The maximum elapsed time in hours from addition of
light coloured tarp has a significant effect because of water shall not exceed the following:
the volume of aggregate. Spraying coarse
Table 2 : Allowable Discharge and Placing Times
aggregate with cool water is also relatively cheap.
Cooling the mix water is effective because the Concrete Time from addition of water (minutes)
temperature can be dropped significantly quite Delivered To discharge To completion of
cheaply, particularly where there is a high proportion Temperature (°C) compaction
of the concrete that requires chilled water, e.g. Port
26 115 145
Hedland. Ice is effective but generally not more than
30 100 120
25% of the water can be replaced by ice. Crushed,
shaved or chipped ice should be used to ensure all of 34 75 90
the ice melts before mixing is complete. Use of liquid 38 15 30
nitrogen can reduce the concrete temperature to
160
around 10°C before concrete near the nozzle starts to To discharge
freeze. However, ice and liquid nitrogen add 140
To end com paction

Time from addition of water

significantly to the cost. 120 AS1379

5.5 TEMPERATURE RISE DURING TRANSPORT 100

Harrison (1991) reports that concrete delivered 80

temperatures are on average 5°C higher than the 60
average ambient temperatures but this could
increase to 10°C with long delivery temperatures 40

and/or high ambient temperatures. 20

In WA the increase can be higher due to the hotter 0

climate. However, this is not a given and allowance 24 26 28 30 32

Concrete Temperature
34 36 38

should be made on a job by job basis by the premix

supplier based on their knowledge of the relationship
between the ambient, batched and delivered
concrete temperatures. The Contractor needs to be
cognisant that delays to concrete discharge that will
affect the concrete temperature rise and slump loss
and non-compliance could become the Contractors
responsibility.
5.6 CODES & SPECIFICATIONS
AS 1379 Clause 4.2.4 states “Discharge of all the
concrete in a batch shall be completed within 90 min
from the commencement of mixing, or before proper
placement and compaction of the concrete can no
longer be accomplished, whichever occurs first.
Note: In hot dry weather, or other ambient conditions
contributing to premature stiffening, initial set may
occur at less than 90 min from commencement of
mixing and the period available for placement and
compaction may be likewise reduced.” Recognising
the significant affect even a few degrees makes in
slump loss BCRC (WA) limits are shown in Table 2 and
Figure 12.
AS 1379 Clause 4.4.2 states “Unless otherwise
specified, delivered concrete shall have a
temperature at the acceptance point of not less
than 5°C nor greater than 35°C.”
BCRC prefers a tighter specification but allows the
contractor to demonstrate that limits on placing time
can be extended by trials eg:
Figure 12 – Allowable Discharge and Placing Times
Based on delivered Temperatures
Where the contractor can show from mix trials that
longer discharge time or higher discharge
temperatures will not adversely affect strength and
durability approval shall be given for use of such
mixes always provided that the specification
requirements for:
¾ maximum temperature and temperature
differential limits are not exceeded
¾ workability are maintained
¾ addition of water and admixtures are maintained
¾ w/c limits are maintained
6. CONCRETE PLACER
Caution also needs to be applied when placing
concrete in hot weather. The following tips for hot
weather concreting are an expansion of those given
in the ACI guide:
a) Plan in advance.
b) Have equipment and materials ready before the
hot weather arrives.
c) Keep the subgrade and forms moist
d) so they will not absorb water from the mix.
e) Keep sunshades and windbreaks available
f) and use them whenever possible.
g) Have everything prepared before the ready mix
truck arrives.
h) Don't make the truck wait for you.

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 Building & Construction
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Research & Consultancy Tn 004 Hot Weather Concreting
BCRC
i) Keep in constant communication with the ready
mixed concrete provider.
j) Coordination between contractor and producer
is key.
k) Concrete should be placed, struck off and
darbyed immediately.
l) Use evaporation retardants, fogging or misting
with water, or cover with a vapor-proof sheet
after screeding.
m) This will help prevent rapid drying, crusting, 200
plastic shrinkage and rubber sets.

Strength (% of 23°C Strength)

50°C
n) Temporary covers, like continuously moistened 40°C
All at 23C
burlap, may be placed over the fresh 150
100% RH

concrete and removed in small sections

32°C
immediately ahead of the finishers.
o) Use a burlap drag or broom finish
100 23°C
p) will eliminate other high risk finishing practices, 95%
85%
such as smooth trowel finish. 75%

q) Curing should take place when the surfaces

are hard enough to resist marring. 50
13°C
r) Seal with a good, quality sealer a minimum of
30 days after placing and curing. 4°C
s) Remember to protect the crew in high 0
-4°C
1 28 365
3 7 90
temperatures. Age at test (days)
t) Drink plenty of fluids and be careful with long
exposure to the sun.

References
Bamforth. P., 1980 “I-situ measurements of the effect of partial
Portland cement replacement using either fly ash or ground
granulated blast furnace slag on the performance of mass
concrete”. Proc. Of Instn. Of Civ. Engrs., Part 2 No. 69.,
September 1980. pp777-800. London.
AS 1379 Manufacture and supply Standards Australia 1997
ACI Committee 305, Hot Weather ACI Manual of Concrete
Practice Construction practices and inspection, pavements
American Concrete Institute, Farmington Hills, USA, 1999.
Mittelacher “Effect of hot weather conditions on the
strength performance of set retarded field concrete” ASTM
STP 858 1992

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