CIP 27 - Cold Weather Concreting

WHAT is Cold Weather?

Cold weather is defined as a period when the average daily
temperature falls below 40°F [4°C] for more than three suc-
cessive days. These conditions warrant special precautions
when placing, finishing, curing and protecting concrete against
the effects of cold weather. Since weather conditions can
change rapidly in the winter months, good concrete practices
and proper planning are critical.

WHY Consider Cold Weather?

Successful cold-weather concreting requires an understand-
ing of the various factors that affect concrete properties.
In its plastic state, concrete will freeze if its temperature falls
below about 25°F [-4°C]. If plastic concrete freezes, its po-
tential strength can be reduced by more than 50% and its du-
rability will be adversely affected. Concrete should be pro-
tected from freezing until it attains a minimum compressive
strength of 500 psi [3.5 MPa], which is about two days after
placement for most concrete maintained at 50°F [10°C].
Low concrete temperature has a major effect on the rate of Figure 1 Effect of Temperature on Set Time (1a)
cement hydration, which results in slower setting and rate
of strength gain. A good rule of thumb is that a drop in con- placement are shown below. The ready mixed concrete pro-
crete temperature by 20°F [10°C] will approximately double ducer can control concrete temperature by heating the mix-
the setting time. The slower rate of setting and strength gain ing water and/or the aggregates and furnish concrete in ac-
should be accounted for when scheduling construction op- cordance with the guidelines in ASTM C 94.
erations, such as form removal. Section Size, minimum Concrete temperature
Concrete in contact with water and exposed to cycles of dimension, inch [mm] as placed
freezing and thawing, even if only during construction, less than 12 [300] 55°F [13°C]
should be air-entrained. Newly placed concrete is saturated
12 - 36 [300 - 900] 50°F [10°C]
with water and should be protected from cycles of freezing
and thawing until it has attained a compressive strength of 36 - 72 [900 - 1800] 45°F [7°C]
at least 3500 psi [24.0 MPa]. Cold weather concrete temperature should not exceed these
Cement hydration is a chemical reaction that generates heat. recommended temperatures by more than 20°F [10°C]. Con-
Newly placed concrete should be adequately insulated to re- crete at a higher temperature requires more mixing water, has a
tain this heat and thereby maintain favorable curing tempera- higher rate of slump loss, and is more susceptible to cracking.
tures. Large temperature differences between the surface and Placing concrete in cold weather provides the opportunity for
the interior of the concrete mass should be prevented as crack- better quality, as cooler initial concrete temperature will
ing may result when this difference exceeds about 35°F [20°C]. typically result in higher ultimate strength.
Insulation or protective measures should be gradually removed Slower setting time and strength gain of concrete during cold
to avoid thermal shock. weather typically delays finishing operations and form re-
moval. Chemical admixtures and other modifications to the
HOW to Place Concrete in Cold Weather? concrete mixture can accelerate the rate of setting and strength
Recommended concrete temperatures at the time of gain. Accelerating chemical admixtures, conforming to
ASTM C 494—Types C (accelerating) and E (water-reduc- Fossil-fueled heaters in enclosed spaces should be vented
ing and accelerating), are commonly used in the winter time. for safety reasons and to prevent carbonation of newly placed
Calcium chloride is a common and effective accelerating concrete surfaces, which causes dusting.
admixture, but should not exceed a maximum dosage of 2% The concrete surface should not be allowed to dry out while it
by weight of cement. Non-chloride, non-corrosive accelera- is plastic as this causes plastic shrinkage cracks. Subsequently,
tors should be used for prestressed concrete or when corro- concrete should be adequately cured. Water curing is not rec-
sion of steel reinforcement or metal in contact with concrete ommended when freezing temperatures are imminent. Use
is a concern. Accelerating admixtures do not prevent con- membrane-forming curing compounds or impervious paper
crete from freezing and their use does not preclude the re- and plastic sheets for concrete slabs.
quirements for concrete temperature and appropriate curing
and protection from freezing. Forming materials, except for metals, serve to maintain and
evenly distribute heat, thereby providing adequate protection
Accelerating the rate of set and strength gain can also be ac- in moderately cold weather. With extremely cold tem-
complished by increasing the amount of portland cement or peratures, insulating blankets or insulated forms should be used,
by using a Type III cement (high early strength). The relative especially for thin sections. Forms should not be
percentage of fly ash or ground slag in the cementitious mate- stripped for 1 to 7 days depending on the setting characteris-
rial component may be reduced in cold weather but this may tics, ambient conditions and anticipated loading on the struc-
not be possible if the mixture has been specifically designed ture. Field-cured cylinders or nondestructive methods should
for durability. The appropriate decision should afford an eco- be used to estimate in-place concrete strength prior to strip-
nomically viable solution with the least impact on the ultimate ping forms or applying loads. Field-cured cylinders should not
concrete properties. be used for quality assurance.
Concrete should be placed at the lowest practical slump as this Special care should be taken with concrete test specimens
reduces bleeding and setting time. Adding 1 to 2 gallons of used for acceptance of concrete. Cylinders should be stored
water per cubic yard [5 to 10 L/m3] will delay set time by ½ to in insulated boxes, which may need temperature controls, to
2 hours. Retarded set times will prolong the duration of bleed- insure that they are cured at 60°F to 80°F [16°C to 27°C]
ing. Do not start finishing operations while the concrete con- for the first 24 to 48 hours. A minimum/maximum thermom-
tinues to bleed as this will result in a weak surface. eter should be placed in the curing box to maintain a tem-
Adequate preparations should be made prior to concrete perature record.
placement. Snow, ice and frost should be removed and the
temperature of surfaces and metallic embedments in con- References
tact with concrete should be above freezing. This might re- 1. Cold Weather Concreting, ACI 306R, American Concrete
quire insulating or heating subgrades and contact surfaces Institute, Farmington Hills, MI.
prior to placement. 2. Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures, Portland Cement
Materials and equipment should be in place to protect con- Association, Skokie, IL.
crete, both during and after placement, from early age freez- 3. ASTM C94 Standard Specification for Ready Mixed Concrete,
ing and to retain the heat generated by cement hydration. ASTM, West Conshohocken, PA.
Insulated blankets and tarps, as well as straw covered with 4. ASTM C 31 Making and Curing Concrete Test Specimens in
plastic sheets, are commonly used measures. Enclosures and the Field, ASTM, West Conshohocken, PA.
insulated forms may be needed for additional protection 5. Cold Weather Ready Mixed Concrete, NRMCA Pub 130,
depending on ambient conditions. Corners and edges are NRMCA, Silver Spring, MD.
most susceptible to heat loss and need particular attention. 6. Cold-Weather Finishing, Concrete Construction, November 1993

Cold Weather Concreting Guidelines

1. Use air-entrained concrete when exposure to moisture and freezing and thawing conditions are expected.
2. Keep surfaces in contact with concrete free of ice and snow and at a temperature above freezing prior
to placement.
3. Place and maintain concrete at the recommended temperature.
4. Place concrete at the lowest practical slump.
5. Protect plastic concrete from freezing or drying.
6. Protect concrete from early-age freezing and thawing cycles until it has attained adequate strength.
7. Limit rapid temperature changes when protective measures are removed.

1998