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TEMPERATURE EFFECT IN

CONCRETE
In practice, concrete is mixed at a wide
range of temperature and also remains in
service at different temperature.
TEMPERATURE EFFECT IN
CONCRETE
Influence of Temperature on Early Strength
of Concrete
Rise in the curing temperature speeds up
the chemical reactions of hydration.
Higher temperature during placing and
setting increase the early strength,
however it may adversely effect the
strength from about 7 days onwards.
TEMPERATURE EFFECT IN
CONCRETE
Explanation:
Rapid initial hydration appears to form
products of poorer physical structure,
probably more porous, so that a proportion of
the pores will remain unfilled.
This will lead to lower strength compared with
a less porous.
TEMPERATURE EFFECT IN
CONCRETE
TEMPERATURE PROBLEM IN
CONCRETING
Hot Weather Problem
i. Higher temperature of fresh concrete
rapid hydration of cement accelerate
setting lower long-term strength (less
uniform gel established)
TEMPERATURE EFFECT IN
CONCRETE
ii. Higher temperature + low relative humidity
of air rapid evaporation of mix Loss
of workability higher plastic shrinkage
iii. Placing large concrete volume at higher
temperature greater differential develop
between mass due to more rapid evolution
of heat of cement hydration subsequent
cooling induces tensile stresses thermal
cracking.
TEMPERATURE EFFECT IN
CONCRETE
iv. Air-entrainment difficult (remedied by using
larger quantities of air-entrained) if cool
concrete is allowed to expand when placed at
high temperature, the air voids expand and
strength reduced.
v. Curing in high temperature in dry air curing
water evaporate rapidly inadequate strength
development + rapid drying shrinkage takes
place cracking of concrete.
TEMPERATURE EFFECT IN
CONCRETE
HOT WEATHER CONCRETING

One of the main objective is to control the


evaporation of water from the concrete which
can be excessive at high temperature.

The condition become increasingly critical when


high temperature is accompanied with low
relative humidity and by drying winds.
TEMPERATURE EFFECT IN
CONCRETE
Such conditions are especially conducive to
the formation of cracks in the concrete
both before and after hardening.

BS1880: Part1: 1985 states that at the time


of placing, no part of the concrete should
have a temperature exceeding 30C.
TEMPERATURE EFFECT IN
CONCRETE
In the Middle East, where annual temperature
range generally between 10C to 50C, the
maximum temperature allowed for the concrete
in more recent practice has usually between
35C and 38C.
Concrete placed in these conditions has been
carefully controlled and supervised to ensure
that the necessary precautions were taken to
minimize problems.
TEMPERATURE EFFECT IN
CONCRETE
Temperature of concrete (made in site or
delivered) should be kept low (upper limit 32C).
T = 0.22 (TaWa + TcWc) + TwWw + TaWwa
0.22 (Wa + Wc) + Ww + Wwa
T = temperature of fresh concrete
W = mass ingredient per unit volume
a = dry aggregate
c = cement
w = added water
wa = water absorbed by aggregate

Actual temperature of concrete will higher than


above. However, usually sufficiently accurate.
TEMPERATURE EFFECT IN
CONCRETE
To control:
w/c = 0.5; aggregate/cement = 5.6
Decrease 1C of T can be obtained by:
Lowering temperature of cement by 9C, or
Water by 3.6C, or
Aggregate by 1.6C
TEMPERATURE EFFECT IN
CONCRETE
Water:
Much easier to cool water than cement or
aggregate
Possible to use ice as part of mixing water
T = 0.22 (TaWa + TcWc) + TwWw + TaWwa - Lwi
0.22 (Wa + Wc) + Ww + Wwa + Wi
L = ratio of latent heat of fusion of ice to specific
heat of water, equivalent to 80C.
TEMPERATURE EFFECT IN
CONCRETE
Care: Ice melted completely before
completion of mixing.
Bury water pipes, paint all exposed pipes
and tanks white, spray formwork with
water before commencing placing of
concrete, and commence placing in the
evening.
TEMPERATURE EFFECT IN
CONCRETE
Aggregate:
Less effective
Can be reduced by shading aggregate stockpile
Controlled sprinkling of stockpile so that heat
loss by evaporation care necessary to avoid
large variations in moisture content of
aggregates since this will adversely influence
control workability of concrete produced.
TEMPERATURE EFFECT IN
CONCRETE
Cement:
A greater drop of temperature is required
for cement than other ingredients.
Cement content should be as low as
possible so heat of hydration is low.
TEMPERATURE EFFECT IN
CONCRETE
For workability:
Aggregate type and grading should be
chosen so that high absorption rates are
avoided and mix is cohesive.
To reduce loss of workability and to
increase setting time use set-retarding
admixture.
TEMPERATURE EFFECT IN
CONCRETE
After placing curing:
Wetting concrete periodically (effective)
Plastic sheeting/membrane use white
so to reflect rays of sun.
TEMPERATURE EFFECT IN
CONCRETE
LARGE CONCRETE MASSES
Danger of thermal cracking because
restraint to contraction on cooling from a
peak temperature caused by heat of
hydration of cement.
Early thermal cracking in thinner section
TEMPERATURE EFFECT IN
CONCRETE
When concrete mass not insulate from
atmosphere, temperature gradient exist
within concrete interior becomes hot
whilst surface loses heat; interior is
then restrained from full thermal
expansion; compressive stress induced
in interior which is balanced by tensile
stress (exterior) cracking.
TEMPERATURE EFFECT IN
CONCRETE
To minimize temperature gradient/difference:
Cool ingredients of mix, so as to reduce
temperature of fresh concrete to about 7C.
Cool surface of concrete, but only for section less
than 500mm thick using formwork which offers
little insulation e.g steel.
Insulate entire surface of concrete for section
more than 500mm thick, using suitable material
for formwork.
TEMPERATURE EFFECT IN
CONCRETE
Choice of mix ingredients:
Aggregate angular aggregate has greater
tensile strain capacity than concrete made with
round aggregate.
Lightweight aggregate leads to greater tensile
strain capacity than normal weight aggregate.
Cement use LHPC, Pozzolan replacement,
low cement content, use water reducing
admixture, GGBS.
TEMPERATURE EFFECT IN
CONCRETE
One of the problems experienced with hot
weather concreting is the rapid stiffening
of the concrete after it has been mixed.

The stiffening creates difficulties in handling


and compacting the concrete within the
normal period allowed for the transporting
and placing operations.
HOT WEATHER CONCRETING

Sub-grade should be damp, but not muddy. Saturate beforehand then


sprinkle again just before concrete is placed
TEMPERATURE EFFECT IN
CONCRETE
The usual approach to this problem is to attempt to
reduce the time of transporting, if this is possible.

Other precaution covering the concrete with damp


canvas covers during transit and spraying the
transporting containers periodically with water in
order to cool then to prevent water being drawn
out the concrete.
HOT WEATHER CONCRETING

In very hot weather, shade concrete from sunlight or use wet


coverings until finishing can be completed
TEMPERATURE EFFECT IN
CONCRETE
All mixing and transporting plant should preferably
be painted white to reduce the temperature
increase caused by exposure to the sun.

Another approach to the problem of preventing


rapid stiffening of the concrete during handling is
to use admixture in concrete. Retarders can be
used to counteracting the accelerating effect on
cement hydration.
TEMPERATURE EFFECT IN
CONCRETE
If the transport of the concrete over relatively
long distances is unavoidable, the use of
truck mixers is preferable in hot weather.
Not only the concrete is protected in the
drum, but also mixing can be delayed, until
the discharge point is reached. The mixer
drum may be kept relatively cool by
spraying with water periodically.
HOT WEATHER CONCRETING

Discharge concrete from waiting trucks as soon as possible.


Heat evolution from cement hydration and continuous agitation
results in temperature rises in the concrete which can cause a rapid
loss in workability
Thermal Stresses in Concrete
Wish list to minimize thermal stresses:
1. Aggregate with low coefficient of thermal expansion
2. Cement with low C3A
3. Insulating forms
4. Cast concrete at night / early morning
5. Use ice instead of water
6. Pre-cool aggregate and cement
7. Post cooling embedded pipes
8. Provide joints (for expansion and movement
9. Less amount of cement
10. Use pozzolans
11. Use liquid nitrogen
12. Use thin layers
13. Use large size aggregates
Thermal Stresses in Concrete
Applications
Hoover Dam 1935 2.4 million m3 of concrete
Grand Coulee Dam 1942 8.0
Shasta Dam 1945 4.5
ASTM Type IV low heat portland cement
Concrete was post-cooled by circulating cold water through the
embedded pipes.
The heights and schedules of placement were controlled.
All three dams remained free of objectionable cracks and
leakage.
In construction of Glen Canyon Dam (1963), Dworshak
(1973), and liberty Dam (1975) pre-cooling and postcooling were
used in combination (in all, T < 14C)
Thermal Stresses in Concrete
Post-cooling in Hoover Dam (early 1930s) was the first major
application. The cooling was achieved by circulating cold water
through thin-wall steel pipes embedded in the concrete.

The first use of pre-cooling of concrete materials to reduce


maximum temperature of mass concrete was at Norfolk Dam (early
1940s). A part of mixing water was introduced into concrete as
crushed ice so that the temperature of in-place fresh concrete was
limited to 6C. Generally, the lower the temperature of concrete
when it passes from a plastic state to an elastic state, the less will be
the tendency toward cracking.

Surface Insulation: The purpose of surface insulation is not to


restrict the temperature rise, but to regulate the rate of temperature
drop so that the stress differences due to steep temperature
gradients between the concrete surface and the interior are reduced.
Large Dams
Large Dams
Large Dams
Large Dams
Large Dams
Large Dams
Large Dams
TEMPERATURE EFFECT IN
CONCRETE
CONCRETING IN COLD TEMPERATURE

Concrete structure which are exposed to


atmosphere subjected to cycles of freezing
and thawing is suffer from the damaging
action of frost.
Fresh concrete should not be subjected to
freezing temperature.
CONCRETING IN COLD
TEMPERATURE
TEMPERATURE EFFECT IN
CONCRETE
Fresh concrete contains a considerably
quantity of free water; if this free water is
subjected to freezing and thawing
temperature, discrete ice lenses are
formed.
Formation of ice lenses in body of fresh
concrete disrupt the fresh concrete
causing nearly permanent damage to
concrete.
TEMPERATURE EFFECT IN
CONCRETE
Water expands about 9% in volume during
freezing.
TEMPERATURE EFFECT IN
CONCRETE
PROBLEM:
Action of frost on fresh concrete
If concrete which has not been set is allowed to
freeze, mixing water converts to ice and
increase in overall volume of concrete.
At later stage, when thawing takes place,
concrete will set and harden in its expanded
state, it will contain large volume of pored and
low strength.
TEMPERATURE EFFECT IN
CONCRETE
Possible to re-vibrate the concrete when
thawing and thus re-compact it, but such
procedure not generally recommended
since its difficult to ascertain exactly when
concrete has started to set.
TEMPERATURE EFFECT IN
CONCRETE
To control:
Cement:
Cement must keep free from moisture.
Cement in bags should be stored under cover
in a dry building. It should be stacked out of
contact with the ground and completely
covered.
No attempt to be made to heat the cement.
TEMPERATURE EFFECT IN
CONCRETE
The type and quantity of cement in the
concrete mix will have an effect on the rate of
gain strength, and in some circumstances it is
worth considering the use of rapid-hardening
cement.
Alternatively, where ordinary portland cement
is used, the gain of strength may be increased
by adding extra cement.
TEMPERATURE EFFECT IN
CONCRETE
It is preferably to avoid the use of concrete
containing pfa or ggbs in severe cold weather
because of the slow initial rate of hardening
and the consequent vulnerability to internal
damage from freezing.
TEMPERATURE EFFECT IN
CONCRETE
Aggregates:
For air temperature above 0C, when aggregates
are free from ice and frozen lumps, the desire
temperature of the concrete can usually be
obtained by heating only the mixing water/
For air temperature below 0C or when the
stockpiles containing frozen lumps, ice or snow,
it may be necessary to heat the aggregates.
TEMPERATURE EFFECT IN
CONCRETE
Several methods are available, such as steam
coils, hot water coils, steam jets and the
erection covers over the stockpiles inside
which hot air blowers are used to keep the air
warm.
TEMPERATURE EFFECT IN
CONCRETE
Mixing water:
It is generally found that the cheapest and
easiest way of preheating is to heat the
mixing water, the required temperature of
the water should be between 50C to 60C,
and care should be exercised to ensure
that the temperature of water does not
exceed 70C.
TEMPERATURE EFFECT IN
CONCRETE
If mixing water is heated above 60C,
overheating may produce quick setting of the
concrete or reduce the workability sufficiently
to make the placing difficult. There is also
danger of flash set if the mixing water is
unduly hot.
TEMPERATURE EFFECT IN
CONCRETE
FIRE RESISTANCE

Concrete, though not a refractory material,


is combustible and has a good fire-
resistance properties.
TEMPERATURE EFFECT IN
CONCRETE
Fire resistance of concrete structure is
determined by 3 main factors:
The capacity of concrete itself to withstand
heat and the subsequent action of water
without losing strength without cracking or
spalling.
The conductivity of concrete to heat
Coefficient of thermal expansion of concrete.
TEMPERATURE EFFECT IN
CONCRETE
In the case of reinforced concrete, the fire
resistance not only dependent upon type
of concrete but also thickness of cover to
reinforcement.
Fire introduces high temperature gradients
and as a result, the surface layer tend to
separate and spell off from the cooler
interior.
TEMPERATURE EFFECT IN
CONCRETE
Heating of reinforcement aggravates the
expansion of reinforcement bars resulting
in loss of bond and loss of strength of
reinforced concrete.
TEMPERATURE EFFECT IN
CONCRETE
Up to 250C, the effect of increase in
temperature on the strength of concrete is
not much.
Above 300C, definite loss of strength
takes place.
400C hydrated hardened concrete
contains a considerable proportion of free
calcium hydroxide loses its water leaving
calcium oxide.
TEMPERATURE EFFECT IN
CONCRETE
If this calcium oxide gets wetted or is
exposed to moist air, rehydrates to calcium
hydroxide accompanied by expansion in
volume, this expansion disrupt the
concrete.
TEMPERATURE EFFECT IN
CONCRETE
In mortar and concrete, aggregate
undergo progressive expansion on
heating.
Hydrated product of cement, beyond the
point of maximum expansion shrink.
These two opposing actions progressively
weaken and crack the concrete.
TEMPERATURE EFFECT IN
CONCRETE
The best fire-resistance aggregate:
Limestone
Expands steadily until 900C and then begin to
contract
Considered as good fire resistance aggregate
Blast furnace slag aggregate
Broken bricks

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