Stitches, Seams & Stitching

COLD WEATHER CONCRETING
BY
Cris-Hawk Farrin
University of New Hampshire, December, 2010

Placing concrete in cold weather is conventionally performed using external devices such as heaters or insulated forms to protect fresh concrete from freezing temperatures. Such practices imbed excessive carbon and result in an undesirable carbon footprint. The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of casting concrete in cold weather using chemical admixtures instead of hydrocarbons or expensive insulating blankets so construction can continue during the winter season in the Northern Tier States. Several innovative tests were performed to evaluate the properties and performance of cold weather concrete created with chemical admixtures. Results indicate adequate concrete strength can be attained through the use of chemical admixtures without the use of any heating or insulating and construction can be accomplished in the winter. However, due to less than desirable air void characteristics, resistance to cycles of freezing and thawing in an adverse environment may be problematic.

International Building Code Chapter 19: Concrete

Related:

1. ACI 306R-16: “Guide to Cold Weather Concreting” by the American Concrete Institute (ACI) – This guide provides recommendations for cold weather concreting practices, including temperature requirements, protection measures, curing methods, and admixture recommendations.
2. ACI 318-19: “Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete” by the American Concrete Institute (ACI) – This standard provides requirements for the design and construction of structural concrete elements. While it does not specifically address cold weather concreting, it includes provisions related to concrete materials and construction practices that are applicable in cold weather conditions.
3. ASTM C94/C94M-21: “Standard Specification for Ready-Mixed Concrete” by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) – This specification covers requirements for ready-mixed concrete, including batching, mixing, transportation, placement, and curing. It provides general guidance for concrete production and placement, which should be adapted to suit cold weather conditions.
4. ASTM C31/C31M-21: “Standard Practice for Making and Curing Concrete Test Specimens in the Field” by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) – This practice outlines procedures for making and curing concrete test specimens in the field, which are necessary for assessing the quality and strength of concrete in cold weather conditions.
5. CSA A23.1/A23.2: “Concrete Materials and Methods of Concrete Construction/Methods of Test for Concrete” by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) – These standards cover materials, methods, and testing procedures related to concrete construction. While they do not specifically address cold weather concreting, they provide essential guidance for producing and testing concrete in various environmental conditions.
6. National Building Code of Canada (NBCC) – This code provides requirements for the design and construction of buildings in Canada, including provisions related to concrete construction in cold weather climates.

Concrete Matters

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