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COLD WEATHER
CONCRETING
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PREVIEW
INTRODUCTION
CHEMISTRY BEHIND CONCRETE
PRODUCTION
PROBLEMS OF CWC
PRECAUTIONS
TECHNIQUES OF CWC
IMPORTANCE OF PLANNING
APPLICATIONS
SUMMARY
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Cold weather concreting is a common and necessary
practice, and every cold weather application must be considered
carefully to accommodate its unique requirements. There are
two elements of cold weather concreting which should be a
concern: (1) Setting Time and (2) Rate of Strength gain.

Cold Weather
The current American Concrete Institute definition of cold-
weather concreting, as stated in ACI 306 is, a period when for
more than 3 successive days the average daily air
temperature drops below 5C (40F) and stays below 10C
(50F) for more than one-half of any 24 hour period. This
definition can potentially lead to problems with freezing at early
age of the concrete.
INTRODUCTION
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In cold weather, concrete cannot simply be placed,
finished, and forgotten. In its early stages, it must be
continuously protected from damage that can be caused by
freezing and by freeze-thaw cycles.
INTRODUCTION
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CHEMISTRY
BEHIND CONCRETE
PRODUCTION
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CHEMISTRY BEHIND PRODUCTION OF
FRESH CONCRETE
The setting and strength gain of portland cement concrete
results from a chemical reaction known as hydration. It has
been generally accepted, that for hydration to take place, the
temperature of the concrete must be above 5C (40F)
(although some current research projects may find this is not
always true). It remains certain that as the temperature of the
concrete drops, the hydration process slows down, and at
some point may stop altogether.

In addition, the amount of free water in the mix will have a
direct relationship to the damaging effects that freezing has on
concrete.
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All concrete must therefore be protected from freezing
until it has reached a minimum strength of 3.5 MPa (500 psi),
which typically happens within the first 24 hours.

In addition, whenever air temperature at the time of
concrete placement is below 5C (40F) and freezing
temperatures within the first 24 hours after placement are
expected, the following general issues should be considered:

(1) Adjustment of construction schedule regarding
loads imposed on the new concrete structure.

(2) Placing and curing temperatures to produce quality
concrete.
CHEMISTRY BEHIND PRODUCTION OF
FRESH CONCRETE
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The exposure of concrete to cold weather will extend
the time required for it to gain strength. In structures that will
carry large loads at an early age, concrete must be
maintained at a minimum of 10C (50F) to accommodate
stripping of forms and shoring and to permit loading of the
structure. In many cases, achieving the required durability will
require a protection period of more than 24 hours. This may
not be an issue with residential applications where applied
loads are typically small and may be applied in small
increments over several days or weeks.
In no case should concrete be allowed to freeze
during the first 24 hours after it has been placed.
Since cement hydration is an exothermic reaction, the
concrete mixture produces some heat on its own. Protecting
that heat from escaping the system may be all that is
required for good concrete quality, while more severe
temperatures may require supplemental heat.
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PROBLEMS OF
CWC
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PROBLEMS OF COLD WEATHRE
(FROST) ON FRESH CONCRETE
There are three cases that may arise:-
Case I - Concrete freezes before setting

Case II - Concrete sets before freezing
has occurred

Case III - Repeated Freeze-Thaw cycles
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CASE I - WHEN CONCRETE FREEZES
BEFORE SETTING
The mixing water converts to ice increasing the overall volume
of concrete. Since there is now no water available for the
chemical reactions, the setting & hardening of concrete is
delayed. Consequently, there is little cement paste that can be
disrupted by the formation of ice.
When at a later stage, thawing takes place, the concrete will
set & harden in its expanded state such that it will have large
volume of pores, and consequently, have a low strength.

Remedy. Reverberation of concrete when it thaws & thus re-
compacting it, but such a produce is not generally
recommended, because its difficult to ascertain as to when
the concrete has started to set.
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CASE II - CONCRETE SETS BEFORE
FREEZING HAS OCCURRED
If freezing occurs after concrete has set, but before it has
developed an appreciable strength, the expansion (associated
with formation of ice) causes disruption & an irreparable loss
of strength.

If, however, concrete has acquired sufficient strength before
freezing, it can withstand the internal pressure (generated due
to ice formation) from the remaining mixing water. Its quantity is
small because, at this stage, some of the mixing water will
have combined with the cement in the process of hydration,
and some will be located in the small gel pores and thus not
be able to freeze. Unfortunately, its not easy to establish the
age at which the concrete is strong enough to resist freezing.

More advanced the hydration of cement & higher the
strength of concrete less vulnerable it is to frost damage
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CASE III - REPEATED FREEZE-THAW
CYCLES
When water freezes its volume increases by 9% (approx).
As the temperature drops, freezing occurs gradually so that the
still unfrozen water present in the capillaries is subjected to
hydraulic pressure by the expanding volume of ice. Such
pressure, if not relieved, can lead to internal tensile stresses of
sufficient magnitude to cause local failure of concrete.
This could happen in a porous, saturated concrete
containing no empty voids into which the liquid water can move.
On subsequent thawing, expansion caused by ice is
maintained so that there is now new space for additional water
which may be subsequently imbibed.
On re-freezing further expansion occurs. Thus repeated
cycles of freeze & thawing have a cumulative effect, and its this
repetition that causes damage.
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PRECAUTIONS
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Make sure the concrete mix has been proportioned for
cold weather placement, which can include heating
the aggregates, using hot water in the batching process,
and using accelerating admixtures.
Remember that accelerators are not antifreeze agents;
they simply shorten the set time and can accelerate the
strength gain of the concrete.

DO NOT use calcium chloride (or agents containing
chlorides) in any amounts as an accelerator in reinforced
concrete.
SOME GENERAL TIPS TO HELP INSURE
SUCCESSFUL COLD WEATHER CONCRETE
PLACEMENT
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DO NOT place concrete on frozen ground. Remove all
snow, ice, and frost from the areas to receive concrete.

The temperature of embedded items should be above
freezing when coming into contact with fresh concrete.

Always cure the concrete after finishing and protect it from
freezing. It is advisable to maintain the in-place temperature at
10C (50F) or greater until required strength has been
attained. Use insulating blankets, heaters, insulated forms, or
other appropriate methods. Edges and corners tend to be more
susceptible to freezing so pay extra attention to these areas.
SOME GENERAL TIPS TO HELP INSURE
SUCCESSFUL COLD WEATHER CONCRETE
PLACEMENT
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Insulation blankets being used
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If combustion heaters are used, make sure the exhaust is
vented out and away from the concrete to reduce the risk of
carbonation which occurs when carbon monoxide from the
exhaust forms carbonic acid, which can react with the fresh
concrete to form a soft dusty surface when it cures.
CARBONIZATION
Carbonization creates a soft dusty surface on normal
concrete. It is most prevalent in cold weather concreting.
Carbonation is a chemical reaction in the concrete, which
forms calcium carbonate (which kills cement). Carbon
dioxide gases accelerate this action. Carbonation can affect
concrete to various degrees from light dust on the surface to
a depth of 1/4 inch or more.
TO LESSEN CARBONATION DAMAGE
Use a water cure or a membrane curing compound
and block carbon dioxide gas from the concrete.
Membrane film should be uniform and heavy.
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Use an accelerating set admixture in the
concrete.
Use vented heaters
Open the building to fresh air during pouring to
ventilate exhaust fumes from trucks, troweling machines,
etc.
Consider use of in place maturity meters to monitor
concretes strength gain to determine the length of time that the
cold weather protection is needed. At the end of the protection
period it is advisable to cool the concrete gradually to reduce
the potential for cracking due to thermal stresses.
Place concrete earlier in the day to gain the advantage of
the thermal heat gain produced by the sun in daylight hours.
Remember to check your local codes and project
specifications for specific requirements that may be applicable
to your project.
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Coatings

Moisture from within buildings can cause exterior walls of buildings
in cold regions to deteriorate, especially if the wall is coated.
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IMPORTANCE OF PLANNING
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Cold weather concreting brings special planning. To
achieve a long life concrete product during placed during cold
weather the production of aggregates, proper design of mixes,
proper mixing and transporting, proper placing and finishing
practices and special care in protection must be observed.

Following are some tips that should help ensure your
cold weather concrete project is completed successfully

Planning
Pre-placement
Placement
Post-placement

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Planning
Schedule the proper equipment and manpower to be in place
well ahead of time.
Plan weather protection to maintain the working environment
and the concrete at a temperature sufficient for productive
placement and finishing.
Consider using low slump concrete for flatwork in cold weather
that will cut the setting time and reduce bleed water since cold air
retards the evaporation rate and setting time of concrete.
Plan to use, or consider using concrete mixes that contain
accelerating admixtures or Type III Hi-Early cement that require
shorter protection time from freezing.
Only consider using concrete mixes that contain fly if your
project will be able to be protected from freezing for a longer
period of time.
Request a heated mix or order 100 lbs of extra cement for
each cubic yard of concrete to help develop early strength.

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Pre-placement
Remove all snow and ice from all concrete forms and the
sub base before placing the concrete.
Check the temperature of, and heat up if necessary, the
sub base and any other surfaces that come in contact with
the concrete to ensure they are not below 32 Fahrenheit.
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Placement
Ensure the minimum concrete temperature, as placed and
maintained, exceed 55 Fahrenheit.
Make sure the concrete temperature does not rise above 75
Fahrenheit.

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Post-placement
Do not begin final finishing operations while bleed water is
present.

Ensure proper finishing with no extra water or excess bleed
water worked into the surface or over-finished.

Don't over work cooled slabs that exhibit delayed setting
characteristics.

Ensure that your cold weather concrete has cured and do not
allow hardened concrete to dry out.

Keep ice from forming - Once ice has formed, hydration
stops and strength development is seriously impaired. Fresh
concrete frozen during the first 24 hours can lose 50% of its
potential 28 day strength!
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Use insulation blankets or heated enclosures to maintain
concrete temperatures above 50 degrees Fahrenheit for three
to seven days.

Use a good quality curing compound if you are unable to
maintain concrete temperatures above 50 degrees Fahrenheit
for three to seven days.

Maintain the concrete temperature above 40 degrees
Fahrenheit for at least four more days after the use of the
insulation blankets or heated enclosures.

Do not seal freshly placed concrete.

Remove the heat protection in a manner that ensures the
temperature of the concrete will not drop faster than more than
40 Farenheit in 24 hours.
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EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE ON
SET TIME
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EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE ON
STRENGTH OF CONCRETE
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TECHNIQUES OF
CWC
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1. REDUCED PERMEABILITY
Of all the factors affecting freeze resistance of concrete,
permeability plays by far the most important role. Impermeable
concrete has only small amounts of free moisture in its pores
and thus the destructive action of freezing and expanding water
is largely eliminated. There are three basic methods of reducing
permeability and hence increasing freeze resistance of concrete,
viz:
1. Use of air-entraining admixtures. These prevent formation
of continuous capillary passages by replacing them with
minute, discrete (not interconnected) air voids.
2. Reduction in water to cement ratio, which in turn reduces
the bleeding rate (and bleeding capacity) of concrete. The
presence of relatively large and continuous capillaries is
usually closely related to bleeding of concrete.
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3. Use of pozzolans, such as fly ash, in order to replace part
of the cement (generally fifteen to twenty per cent) resulting in
a slight increase in the amount of hydraulically active material.
Pozolans react with soluble products of cement-water reaction
and form water-insoluble and hence water-impermeable
substances. With proper use of pozzolans, permeability of
concrete can be reduced by a factor larger than ten. However,
as pozzolanic reaction is very temperature- sensitive, use of fly
ash can reduce the rate of strength gain (depress early
strength) in cold water concreting.
Water is at its maximum density at approximately 4C, i.e. it
has minimum volume for a given mass at that temperature.
Therefore, disruption to hardened concrete structure due to the
increase in volume of freezing water (or ice) is possible at very
low temperatures only. Hence, at temperatures above 5C, long-
term durability and strength of concrete are not going to suffer
(ultimate strength of concrete moist cured in cool storage is
generally superior to conventionally cured concrete).
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2. EARLY AGE STRENGTH
However, the rate of strength gain of concrete at low
temperatures is relatively slow (refer to the graph above) and
this can adversely affect construction pace (delay in removal of
formwork, disruption to "critical path" etc...). To overcome this
problem, several methods of producing higher early strength can
be employed.

The methods of achieving faster setting times and high
early strengths of concrete vary with particular applications, viz:
local climatic conditions in different regions, availability of certain
raw materials (e.g. cement and admixture types etc.), as well as
layout of plant and machinery. Therefore it is important to
discuss all the special requirements of cold weather concreting
with READYMIX production or technical staff.
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These methods include:
The use of accelerating admixtures
The introduction of hot water at the concrete batch plant
Covering or heating of form areas prior to pouring.

This particularly applies to the inclusion of set
accelerating admixtures such as calcium chloride, improper use
of which can produce an adverse effect both in plastic and in
hardened concrete.
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3. PREPARING FOR POURING
Small oversights at the pouring stage can result in
disputes and dissatisfaction over cold-weather concreting.

After rain, free water lying on the surface, or lying in
porous sub-grades, will be slow to evaporate, and its total
volume may be substantial. If the concrete pour causes much of
the free (and cold) water to accumulate in one end or corner of
formwork and combine with low-slump concrete there, a critical
weakness may develop.

Accumulations of ice at the bottom of holes prepared for
concrete piers may be overlooked, and structural movement
may follow.
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Concrete should not be poured on frozen ground, or on
reinforcing steel or formwork which has a temperature near
freezing point. Covering or heating of form areas prior to
concreting, a not uncommon winter practice in Hobart, parts of
Victoria, the Snowy Mountains area, and Canberra, is less usual
in coastal areas further north. But successive frosts in Sydney's
western suburbs can cause ground temperatures there to drop
to low levels, particularly where ground is shaded throughout the
day by adjacent buildings or trees. In Sydney generally, if form
areas are covered overnight, frosts will not delay pouring the
following morning. Wherever possible, monolithic floor finishes
should be placed after walls and roof enclose the area.
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4. MAINTAINING TEMPERATURE
After placing concrete in cold weather its temperature
must be maintained at a consistent high level if strength gain is
to be normal.
Where ambient temperatures can be expected to be near
or below freezing point for several days, insulation by batts or
commercial blankets is indicated. Such insulation should be in
close contact with surfaces and forms, and should itself be
covered with strong, moisture-proof material. Steel projecting
from forms should also be covered where possible.
Where minimum daily temperatures are unlikely to fall
much below 5C, less elaborate means of maintaining concrete
temperatures can be used. It may be sufficient to lay waterproof
paper on the form area, cover the paper with straw or sawdust to
a depth of three or four inches and cover this with more
waterproof paper, or sufficient merely to create dead air space
between the form area and tarpaulins suspended above it.
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Heating and curing by exhaust system requires the
building of an enclosure to keep cold air out. Any breakdown in
the process may permit surface icing or rapid temperature
changes in the concrete, with subsequent cracking.
Heating by fires placed at intervals provides uneven
temperatures and is not favoured. The absorptive ability of cold
air is low but increases rapidly as the air is heated. If heated air
causes excessive evaporation from the concrete surface,
shrinkage cracks will occur. Also, carbon dioxide produced by
fires may carbonate the concrete surface, causing it to become
chalky.
Five or six days after pouring, insulation should be
removed at a time of day and in a manner which will allow the
drop in temperature of any area of the concrete to be gradual.
Membrane-curing compounds can be applied at this stage if
necessary.
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5. STRIPPING FORMWORKS
Strength gains of concrete will vary with the type of
cement and type of mix, the use of accelerators, the ratio of
mass to surface area, and other factors apart from temperature.
Generally it will be advantageous to leave formwork in
position longer than the minimum period specified. Formwork
will foster rather than retard curing in cold weather, and while it
remains in position it is a reminder that any one section of a new
slab should not be loaded too early or too abruptly.
Concrete mixes with some air entrainment, with the
minimum practical water content and adequate cement,
minimise problems in cold-weather work.
The ability of the concrete supplier to design and supply
consistent batches of such mixes is important. The need to
ensure that the mixes are at or close to ideal curing temperature
is no less important.
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APPLICATIONS
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MILITARY APPLICATIONS
On the battlefield or in an emergency, when concrete must be
placed regardless of the temperature, engineers may not have
access to insulation, let alone heated enclosures. Here
expedient admixtures are being used to circumvent the need for
heat.
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BRIDGES
Concrete bridges face deterioration caused by freezing and
thawing and the application of deicing salts.
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MASONRY CONSTRUCTION
Cold weather places serious constraints upon masonry construction.
Mason productivity is reduced, as more attention must be placed on
personal comfort, materials handling, and masonry protection. As
temperatures fall below freezing, construction materials must be
preconditioned and subsequently protected to ensure satisfactory
strength. It is essential to have knowledge of the performance of
masonry materials in low-temperature conditions. Further, it would be
desirable if new cold-tolerant materials could be developed.
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SUMMARY
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Prevent concrete from freezing at an early
age (first 24-48 hours)
Assure concrete reaches strength for
loading or form removal
Maintain normal curing conditions
Limit rapid temperature changes
The Main Objectives
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Dont exceed placing temperature target
by more than 20 F
Higher temp requires more water,
increases rate of slump loss, and
increases thermal cracking
Concrete Placement
Temperatures
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Temperature of surfaces in contact with the
concrete should be above freezing (35 F)
All snow, ice, and frost must be removed
Never place on a frozen sub grade. Cover
sub grade with insulated blankets a few days
prior to concrete placement.
Preparation Before Placement
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Insulated Curing Box
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Discuss all aspects of cold weather
concreting at the pre-construction meeting
Watch weather in the spring and fall, must
provide protection during first 24-48 hours
after placement
Other Considerations
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Monitor the weather forecast
Monitor the temperature of the concrete
Have all materials available before
placing concrete
Anticipate the worst case and be
prepared for it
Schedule the placement during the
warmest part of the day
Be Prepared!!!