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Steps In Curing During Cold Months

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What Temperature Is Too Cold For Concrete Curing?

Studies and Research have shown that the best temperature to pour concrete is 55°F. The mixing of cement and moisture bonds steadily to give concrete its full strength and the temperature is always at 55°F. This bonding is continuous and not observable below 40°F. During daytime when the temperature is good for curing, winter concrete setting puts risk that can cause weak, inadequate concrete. If the temperature is freezing at night, water inside the concrete will freeze and expand causing cracks on the concrete, however, if the temperature is below 40° during curing, the concrete will need more time to reach its full strength. If the right procedures are taken, then there is a possibility that concrete can be successfully placed during cold weather.

Concrete curing projects are planned out before executing, especially in cold months of the year. It is important to work on your strength and consideration in a curing process. This plays a big role when pouring concrete and determines which method to adopt in keeping your surrounding and materials warm. The major challenge faced during cold months in curing is ensuring the concrete sets before it is exposed to freezing temperature.

As you plan your new project take the following into consideration:

  • Apply heaters to melt frozen ground, snow or ice.
  • Mix cement with hot water.
  • All materials should be kept in a warm location.
  • Make use of products designed for fast curing. These products will not set as indicated, but will set faster than conventional materials.
  • Apply additives that hasten set time. Be cautious; if additives contain calcium chloride, any rear or metal wire mesh in concrete will rust and cause concrete to crack.
  • Use more cement. (Typically 100 lb/ cubic yard. This makes the reaction hotter and cause concrete to hydrate more rapidly)
  • Wait for the bleed water to evaporate. (Combining the water into the surface during final phase will weaken the surface. Bleeding comes last and takes more time during cold weather; use squeegees or a vacuum to remove water quickly)
  • Leave the framework till the concrete has reached full strength. (Early removal will damage the concrete and the surface will collapse)
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Concrete Blanket

Concrete blankets are effective when it has to do with maintaining the right temperature for concrete pouring and setting. ALCO concrete blankets can be used to melt snow or ice ground of project site before and after pouring concrete to prevent the concrete from freezing. ALCO Concrete Blankets ensures that concrete is maintained at the appropriate temperature for curing process to take place swiftly and the desired strength is reached. ALCO Concrete Blankets has got you covered during cold weather months for a successful concrete curing.

Implementing the article's instructions will guarantee a successful curing but it is important to keep the concrete at the standard temperature during the curing process. The temperature for concrete should be maintained at 55°F for 48 hours to enable moisture and cement mix appropriately. In cold weather, heated enclosure and insulated blankets are mostly used for concrete curing. Heated enclosure ensures that the structure is wind and waterproof. Ventilation is key in concrete curing, ensure a proper one is available for the space heater. The use of Heaters may cause an increase in carbon dioxide, this will result in carbonation in the surface of the concrete.

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Too Cold Or Too Hot Concrete Curing

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Temperature for Concrete Curing

For concrete to achieve full strength, it is believed that the standard temperature for curing is 55°F. Weather condition does not determine this standard temperature.

How The Hoover Dam Curing Was Accomplished

One of the largest dam worldwide after it was completed was the hoover dam. On June 6, 1993, was an unforgettable day for engineers on the site of the dam as they start the first concrete pour. The dam took the pattern of individual columns instead of single block concrete. Single block concrete pattern would have taken a century to cool to ambient temperature because of the heat produced during curing. It stood five-foot lifts in a trapezoidal column shape. Engineers built the dam in such a way that it will allow heat produced by the curing to be dispersed. Had it been the dam was built in a single pour, the stress on the concrete would have caused a crack in the dam.
The team of experts faced so many challenges but that of the heat and dryness of Nevada was a major challenge. After the pouring of concrete, river water was used to improvise in cooling coils of 1 thin-walled steel pipes. Another set of cooling water from a refrigerator plant was applied on the lower cofferdam to circulate the concrete via the coils in other to finish the cooling effect.

Appropriate Temperature For Concrete Curing

The following shows temperature best for concrete curing: Two concrete curing process 120°F and 55°F both process at the same weather condition.

Day 1 – 120°F – concrete cured looks strong.
55°F – concrete cured is weak.
Day 7 – 120°F – concrete cured has no more strength for curing.
55°F – concrete cured still has the strength for curing.
Day 28 – 120°F – concrete cured starts getting weak
55°F – concrete cured becomes stronger.
28 to 365 days – concrete cured under 55°F is considered stronger than 120°F concrete

The Art Of Concrete Curing

In every project or job given, people tend to use quick and fast methods of finishing the job within a short period of time. However, concrete if cured quickly or under severe curing temperature will at the end result to a weak concrete. Hence it is appropriate for concrete to cure at an average temperature of 32°F – 50°F with the right amount of moisture. Although concrete curing is slow at this temperature nevertheless it will attain its full strength. In no case should the temperature of concrete exceed 90°F or dry out during curing process no matter the weather condition, this, in the long run, will result in flaking.

Conclusion

This practically states that, as long as curing is constant and never stops, concrete cured at 55°F from day 1 to day 28 will ultimately reach its full concrete strength.

How To Thaw Frozen Ground?

Is the temperature too cold?

Worry less during winter. Electric Curing Blankets  provide a way of curing concrete with ease and effectiveness in cold weather condition. With the use of electric curing blanket for curing process, production increases through consistent curing.

FEATURES

  • Cures more or less three times faster than conventional or insulated blankets.
  • Generate concreting strength of about 3,925 psi within 72 hours in cold weather.
  • Maintain moisture throughout the hydrating process.
  • Simply installed and removed.
  • Avert a freeze cycle.
  • Melts ground and frost from the previous job before pouring in a new project.
  • Increase profit.
  • Maintain ACI compliance for cold weather condition concreting.

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Concrete Curing and Power-blanket

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When is Setting Curing Time For Concrete?

One thing you should know about curing is that it is an endless process that hardens always to infinity. Although, it gets to a point when hardening becomes too slow to observe and concrete can be placed and used without it cracking. This is normally few weeks after curing.

When Does Concrete Curing Stop?

The right answer to that question is, curing never stops. This is because curing process involves hydration. During the phase of curing, cement particles mix with water and will continue forming bonds as long as cement mixes with moisture.

Duration For Concrete Curing

Concrete attains its full strength after some weeks or 28 days, at this time concrete can be placed for use without the fear of flaking. Approximately 70% of the concrete is cured to its full strength within the period of seven days. Note that the time for concrete to cure is within 24 – 48 hours. After a day or two, concrete can be placed and walked on without fear of cracking or leaving a footprint behind, nevertheless heavy equipment should not be used on the concrete at the moment. After 28 days of placement, the concrete is ready and tough to take any load placed on it.

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Factors Affecting Concrete setting time

  • Moisture – The most vital constituent in a concrete curing process. Water, if not sufficient, in the curing results to quick concrete curing which will produce a weaker overall strength. If water is too much, in the finishing stage it will result to flaking.
  • Hot ambient weather temperatures and wind – once there is a change in temperature it increases evaporation of moisture. This alters concrete setting time.
  • Accelerants – they are needed sometimes in a curing process, depending on the temperature. They play a key role when the area where the concrete is to be placed needs it urgently. Its function is to speed up concrete setting time. It mixes will meet the strength required but will start showing weakness after a period of time.

Electric Concrete Curing Blankets

As long as concrete curing is concerned, Electric Curing Blankets are the all-weather solution to all challenges faced in concrete setting time. In hot weather conditions, concrete setting tends to be fast and at the end show weakness. With the use of electric curing blankets for curing process can be controlled to a typical curing time. They can be used for regulating concrete setting time in cold and hot weather, keeping them safe from heat and cold.

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Advantages 

  • Simply installed.
  • Curing is quicker compared to insulated blankets.
  • Freeze cycle is averted.
  • A tremendous increase in profit.
  • Maintains the necessary amount of moisture in a curing process.
  • In compliance with ACI for cold temperature concreting.
  • Uses seventy-two hours to supply full concrete strength in weather condition.
  • Moveable from one job site to the other.
  • Averts heat and reduces the temperature of concrete.
  • Blanket cover and insulation square measure are equivalent to the strong system employed in electric curing blankets.
  • Manages curing speed of newly poured concrete even in hot conditions.
  • Supply a way to cure concrete effectively and strongly.
  • Increase production by speedily curing with consistency, even heat.

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The Right Temperature For Curing In Cold Weather

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When is Temperature Too Cold For Concrete Curing?

According to research the perfect temperature to pour concrete to attain full strength is 55°F. The steady mix of cement and moisture forms bond which gives concrete its full strength, this steady forming of bonds is continuous and not observable in concrete, the temperature at this time is below 40°F. Daytime is always good for curing in any weather condition, during the daytime when the temperature is best, winter concrete setting puts risk that can result in a weak, inappropriate concrete. At night, If the temperature is at freezing degree, moisture inside the concrete tend to freeze and its freezing will expand resulting to a crack on the concrete, although, once the temperature drops below 40°F during a curing process, the concrete will take more time to get cured and reach its full strength. For a successful and accurate curing process at night or in a freezing weather condition, the procedures are to be taken right for the concrete to attain its full strength.

Want To Cure In Cold Months?

Cold months of the year are periods when concrete curing is complicated if not planned appropriately. One needs to know his strength in the concrete curing process and make certain considerations in cold months, otherwise, the process might be a failure. One’s strength has a big role to play when pouring concrete and determines what method to use in maintaining a warm environment and materials. One of the major challenges faced in concrete curing during cold months is ensuring the concrete sets prior to exposing it to freezing temperatures.

For a successful concrete curing process, the following should be taken into consideration:

  • Apply heaters to thaw frozen ground, snow or ice.
  • Cement should be mixed with hot water.
  • All materials ought to be kept in an exceedingly warm location.
  • Products designed for fast curing should be used. (These products will not set concrete as indicated, but will set it faster than standard materials.)
  • Use additives responsible for hastening set time. (Be cautious; if additives contain salt or metal wire mesh in concrete, it will rust and cause the concrete to crack)
  • Use additional cement. (Typically 100 lb/ cubic yard. This causes hotter reaction and concrete to hydrate more rapidly)
  • Wait for the bleed water to evaporate. (Combining the water into the surface during final stage can weaken the surface. Bleeding comes last and takes longer time in cold weather; use squeegees or a vacuum to get rid of water quickly).
  • Leave the framework until the concrete has reached full strength. (Early removal can risk the concrete and the surface might collapse)
heated-electric-concrete-covers

The above procedure will assure you a successful curing but it is vital to keep the concrete at the conventional temperature of 55°F during a curing process, for the next 48 hours concrete temperature should be maintained at 55°F to enable cement and moisture mix well. Heated enclosure and insulated blanket are used mostly in cold weather condition, heated enclosure offers a wind and waterproof structure. In concrete curing, ventilation is important and ensuring a proper one is available for the space heater boost curing time. Heaters can cause an increase in carbon dioxide, this might result in carbonation on the top of the concrete.

Heated Concrete Blankets are effective in regulating temperature for concrete pouring and setting. ALCO concrete blankets are used in thawing snow or ice ground of new project before and after the concrete has been poured in other to prevent concrete from freezing, its blankets make sure that concrete is maintained at a standard temperature for curing process to take place successfully and concrete desired strength is reached. ALCO Concrete Blanket is the right choice for successful concrete curing in cold weather condition.

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Electric Curing Blanket Features

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Concrete Curing Blankets

Snow and ice have covered the surface of the ground after a long period of snowstorm restricting movement and work. Getting back to a concrete job is difficult at his period due to the snow build up, heat is needed to help melt ice away and work can resume. Electric Curing blankets ground thawing and concrete curing blanket offers contractors and engineers with the needed heat to hasten construction projects during this winter period. With the Green Heat Technology, Electric Curing blankets provide a barrier of insulated warmth that traps heat and moisture during the wet curing process to give a higher-grade complete product in record time. This technology works amazingly in increasing PSI level and decreasing defects which is a major benefit in concrete curing during any weather condition.
The basic function of a Electric Curing blanket is to protect concrete from drying rapidly, freezing, and cracking in the course of a hydrating process, it is designed to be used in both warm and cold weather conditions which makes it exceptional and comes in handy. Regardless of the size of your current project, Electric Curing blankets lightweight portable design makes concrete curing an east task for both large and small scale projects. Before the introduction of Electric Curing blankets, heaters, warmers, open flames, chemical hardener and expensive work stoppage are been used during concrete curing as an alternative in providing necessary heat or increase curing rate. Electric Curing blankets are the ultimate solution for concrete curing in cold weather, never lose a concrete curing job because of the weather condition, and stay ahead of others with Electric Curing blankets.

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Weather condition is a factor that determines if a concrete will attain its full strength, winter or colder months make concrete curing difficult but with the use of ALCO Electric Curing blankets, all challenge of curing process in these months are over. The ALCO Electric Curing blankets function as a temperature regulator to balance concrete temperature during its process thereby enabling the concrete reaches its full strength and avoid flaking in the long run. There is no better alternative to providing heat that is inexpensive, portable and moved from one job site to the other than the ALCO Electric Curing blankets. It provides rest of mind in any concrete curing job.

Contact us if you have any question on our Electric Curing blankets or how to cure in cold weather, we will put you through and endeavor you have a successful concrete curing all-round weather with ALCO Electric Curing blankets.

FEATURES

  • Melts over 24” frozen ground.
  • Heat up sand and gravel.
  • Stop concrete freezing, cracking & rapid drying.
  • Melt ice, snow, & frost in jobsites.
  • Keeps crew working steady with ease in winter.
  • Reduce cure time & increase concrete PSI.
  • Keep even & consistent heat during hydration process.
  • Deliver a high standard finished product every time.

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Electric Heated Concrete Curing Covers

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What is curing?

Maintaining a suitable moisture content and temperature in concrete at early ages so that it will progress properties the mixture was created to accomplish is otherwise known as curing. Generally, curing takes place once the concrete has been placed and finished so that the concrete will develop to the desired strength and longevity. Temperature, one factor in proper curing that is vital due to the rate of hydration, strength development is quick in high-temperature condition. However, during a curing process, the temperature of curing should be maintained at 50°F (10°C) to ensure a stable rate of strength development. Most of the cracking caused in curing are due to unstable temperature uniformity, if the temperature is maintained throughout the concrete session while it gains strength, concretes will attain maximum strength and longevity is assured.

Blankets On Asphalt

Concrete curing blankets are safe to use on asphalt, blankets use an internal thermostat and will cycle to regulate temperature at ~ 100 °F ± 10 °F. Temperature and wind will draw some of the heat away although, curing blanket has thermal contact with the asphalt it is transferring heat energy towards, blankets performs effectively well in freezing temperatures.

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Electric Concrete Curing Blanket

Before now, conventional methods like using expensive warmers and heaters were used in concrete curing and this has led to an increased amount of cracking in concrete, Electric curing blankets have changed the traditional way of transferring heat to concrete. This new technology has created uniform heat across the entire blanket, removing hot and cold spots respective to weather condition, Electric curing blankets provide maintenance heating solution that eliminates the tussle of dealing with cold weather. Once an effective heating remedy is applied during the curing process, concrete will cure quicker and effective, a successful concrete heating solution minimizes downtime, saves time, and increases profits.

ALCO concrete curing blankets provide a remarkable and efficient method of curing concrete in cold weather, protect your business from damage and save money in cold weather condition without the side effects that amount from using accelerators. ALCO concrete blanket speeds up the curing process by 2.8 times and helps to provide hydration in the concrete, these electric heating blankets come in different lengths and sizes. The number of jobs will not affect the use of powerblankets, in curing the blanket heats to a preset 100°F (38°C, ± 10 °F/3 °C). In cold weather, powerblanket provides the concrete strength of 3,925 in 72hrs, maintains moisture throughout the hydrating process, thaws ground and frost from a job site, before pouring. The electric concrete blanket maintains ACI compliance for cold weather concreting, prevent a freeze cycle using the electric blanket, they are simply installed and removed, portable to move around from job site to another regardless of the concrete project is big or small. The powerblanket Electric Concrete Curing Blanket is ETL certified to UL/CSA/CE safety standards

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