Customer Advice - Cold Weather Working

The hydration/strength development of cement is temperature dependant. As the temperature falls the strength development slows down , until about 3ºC when it stops. At 0ºC the water in the mix will freeze, expand and cause the material to break up, if it has not gained sufficient strength to resist this.

Guidance for Concrete

In Summary

"Concrete should not be laid when the temperature drops below 4ºC on a falling thermometer and not resume again until above 3ºC on a rising thermometer. All concrete which may be subject to temperatures less than 4ºC should be protected until it gains sufficient strength to resist freezing."

To help reduce the time period for concrete to set we are able to supply the following:

• Concrete with no WRA: This concrete will gain strength quicker than concrete with WRA
• Increased concrete strength: A higher strength grade will enhance setting times due to increased cement
• Concrete Accelerator: An accelerator chemical can be added to No WRA concrete to speed up the setting