CITY OF EDMONDS

COLD WEATHER CONCRETE PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS

GENERAL INFORMATION FOR CONCRETE PROTECTION In the not so distant past it was customary to stop concrete work when temperatures fell to or below freezing. But with improved concrete technology and readily available methods of protection, cold weather is no longer a work stoppage obstacle to the construction process. However, the following principle applies, the necessary degree of protection increases as the ambient temperature decreases. Adequate protection of concrete cannot be done without monetary cost. Enclosures, heaters, insulation and other protective measures cost money. This additional cost must be balanced against the cost of delaying the job to determine whether to proceed with concrete work under the restrictions made necessary by cold weather. In Edmonds where extended below freezing temperatures are a rare occurrence but daytime temperatures can be 40F or lower, it is typical to provide some measure of heat to the mixing water which is usually sufficient for curing. However, when freezing or near freezing temperatures are expected for three or more days, more elaborate means must be provided to protect the concrete during curing. For footings and slabs, a combination of straw and visqueen is adequate for curing concrete protection. For concrete walls, visqueen alone is not adequate and thus enclosure protection or exterior form protection or other means are necessary. The curing of concrete is accomplished by maintaining the concrete at a moderate temperature under constantly moist conditions. The consequence of inadequate concrete curing is low strength. Concrete frozen immediately after mixing or at any time while it is still in a plastic condition suffers a permanent strength loss of as much as 50 percent. Concrete temperatures below 50F are unfavorable for the development of early strength and below 40F the development of strength is greatly retarded. At freezing temperatures strength development is practically absent. During cold weather high early strength yield concrete permits a shortened period of time during which the concrete must be protected from low temperatures or freezing. This can reduce the curing period from 7 to 3 days but a minimum temperature of 50 F must be maintained in the concrete for 3 days. Known as Type III, this cement produces concrete with normal seven day strength in approximately three days, and normal 28 day strength in seven days. COLD WEATHER DEFINITION Concreting in cold weather is not only regulated when temperatures are below freezing but also when the daytime average temperature does not reach 40F. Cold weather is defined as a period when, for three or more days, the average daily air temperature is less than 40F and the air temperature is not greater than 50F for more than one-half of any 24 hour period. The average daily air temperature is the average of the highest and lowest temperatures occurring during the period of midnight to midnight. During periods not defined as cold weather, but when heavy frost or freezing is forecast, all concrete surfaces must be protected from freezing for the first 24 hours after placement.

COLD WEATHER EFFECTS Cold weather can damage concrete in either of two ways; first by freezing of the fresh concrete before the cement has achieved final set and second, by repeated cycles of freezing and thawing over a period of days. Freezing of the concrete in the plastic state or during the initial hardening may reduce durability, weathering resistance and strength by 50 percent. The time period during which the concrete is frozen is not important once the concrete has frozen. Once frozen, concrete will never attain its full potential strength and durability, even after prolonged curing at reasonable temperatures. And, there is no material or admixture that can be added to the fresh concrete to lower its freezing temperature or act as an anti-freeze. Frost, or cycles of freezing and thawing, damages hardened concrete by the freezing and consequent expansion of water in pores and openings in the concrete. Since most concrete that is exposed to cold temperatures is exposed to moisture or water, it is therefore subject to this problem. At temperatures above freezing, the rate of hydration of cement decreases as the temperature is lowered. This affects strength development of the concrete. At a temperature below freezing the fresh concrete is permanently damaged when frozen. INSPECTION AND CODE REQUIREMENTS General cold weather requirements: Section 1905.12 of the International Building Code (IBC) outlines cold weather requirements for the curing of concrete and requires that adequate equipment be provided for heating concrete materials and protecting concrete during freezing or near freezing weather. All concrete materials and all reinforcement, forms, fillers and ground with which concrete is to be placed shall be free from frost. Frozen materials or materials containing ice shall not be used. All snow, frost and ice must be removed from the forms, reinforcing steel embedded materials and similar items before concrete placing is started. Concrete may not be placed on a frozen subgrade. Concrete placed against frozen forms or ground takes heat out of the concrete causing it to freeze. Concrete mix requirement: Section 1904 of the (IBC) regulates the mix of concrete when exposed to freezing and thawing. Contractors choosing to pour concrete at freezing or near freezing temperature must provide specific concrete mix information to the City Inspector at the rebar inspection. Concrete batch tickets must be submitted to the City within three days of the pour. Concrete curing requirement: Section 1905.11 of the IBC regulates concrete curing. Concrete other than high early strength shall be maintained above 50F and in a moist condition for at least the first seven days after placement. High early strength concrete shall be maintained above 50F and in a moist condition for at least the first three days. The IBC does allow accelerated curing by high pressure steam, steam at atmospheric pressure, heat and moisture or other accepted processes to accelerate strength gain and reduce time of curing. Accelerated curing shall provide a compressive strength of the concrete load stage equal to required design strength and durability. When accelerated curing is used supplemental strength tests shall be performed to assure that curing is satisfactory. Test results must be provided to the City Inspector.

CONCRETE PROTECTION METHODS

Preparation for cold weather concreting must be made before, not after, the cold weather arrives. Equipment and materials for heating and/or protection must be on site and ready to be installed. Protection of the concrete is essential to prevent freezing damage until the concrete has gained sufficient strength. After placement, concrete must be maintained at a minimum temperature of 50F for at least three days if an accelerator or Type III cement is used. After this initial protection maintain a temperature of 40F for four more days and then discontinue protection gradually so that the drop of temperature in any portion of the concrete will not exceed 40F in 24 hours. Since the concrete itself supplies heat for curing in cold weather the heat can be trapped in the concrete with insulating materials. Since most of the heat of hydration is generated during the first 3 days, heating from external sources may not be required to prevent freezing of the concrete if, the generated heat is retained. Heat within the concrete may be retained by using insulating blankets on the concrete or by using insulation on the concrete forms. For slabs and footings, the most common methods are using two layers of visqueen or waterproof paper with straw between the layers or insulated curing blankets. The effectiveness of this type of protection is tested by placing a thermometer under the covering. Note, it is critical to keep straw dry for maximum insulation value. INSULATED CURING BLANKETS Insulated curing blankets covered with plastic or heavy asphalt-impregnated paper are sufficient to keep the concrete adequately warm to zero temperature weather. INSULATION METHOD Another means of protecting concrete is to use insulating batts, rock or mineral wool, fiberglass or spray applied urethane foam attached to the exterior of the forms. Insulating materials must be attached to the forms with cleats or similar means and be tight against the forms to prevent circulation of air under the insulation. When pouring walls, insulation must overlap previously placed concrete by at least one foot. Tears and holes in insulation must be patched with waterproof tape and insulation must be kept dry. During cold weather it is usually good practice to leave the forms in place at least until the end of the required curing period. ENCLOSURE PROTECTION One method for concrete protection is to enclose the concrete forms in tarpaulins, polyethylene, plywood, insulating board, or other material that will be tight and strong enough to withstand wind and snow loading. Enclosures should be at least one foot away from concrete forms to provide for air circulation. Heat must be provided before, during and after concrete placement and is best supplied by releasing moist steam within the enclosure. If dry heat is used the concrete must be protected from drying by means of curing compounds, blankets or wet burlap. There must be caution exhibited on the use of salamanders and open fires due to danger of fire. Salamanders and other fuel burning devices must be vented to the outside to reduce the danger of carbonation of the concrete surface. Hot air blowers or airplane blowers (located outside of the enclosure) can be used to blow hot air into the enclosure. Portable steam generators provide not only heat but moisture. With any of these heaters protection must be provided to avoid concentrations of heat on concrete surfaces.

SUMMARY OF COLD WEATHER PRECAUTIONS

1. Plan ahead. Provide heaters, enclosures and protective materials before they are needed. 2. Arrange for Type III cement or accelerating admixture, provide mix information to City Inspector. 3. Handle concrete with minimum delay. 4. Heat the water and aggregates. 5. Use admixtures carefully, as directed. 6. Use air-entrained concrete. 7. Remove snow, ice and frost from subgrade and all surfaces to be in contact with the concrete. 8. Provide insulation on forms, insulated curing blankets or heated enclosures. 9. Vent gas fired heaters and avoid carbonation of concrete in heated enclosures. 10. Protect concrete from drying out until curing period is complete. 11. Leave forms in place as long as possible. 12. Maintain concrete temperature at 50F for three days. Then 40F for four additional days before exposing it to freezing temperatures.

MATERIAL SOURCES FOR THIS HANDOUT International Building Code Chapter 19 International Conference of Building Officials Concrete Manual, 1989 edition Residential Concrete, published by Home Builder Press, Second edition American Concrete Institute, Cold Weather Concrete Report ACI 306R-88