There are a few people who think using concrete during summer is as easy as using it during the rest of the year. High summer temperatures, low humidity, direct sunlight, high concrete temperatures and even modest wind velocity can cause concrete surface cracking (plastic shrinkage cracks).
Concrete preparation, placement and curing become a problem when the weather becomes too hot. Cement starts hydrating rapidly when the temperature increases, water evaporates quickly and construction workers often get confused about how much water they should mix to prepare concrete. The objective is to prevent cracks from developing in the concrete structure later. If you want to reap all the benefits offered by high-quality concrete in Sidcup, take all the precautions necessary during hot weather concreting.
3 Effects Of Hot Weather Concreting
- To maintain the workability of concrete, you have to mix more water when preparing it. As a result, the strength of the material reduces drastically.
- Plastic shrinkage cracks might develop in the structure before or after the material has become hard. It generally occurs due to rapid evaporation of water when the temperature becomes too hot. Cracks might also develop in the structure due to increased drying shrinkage.
- Water has evaporated more rapidly than they should during the curing period. The easiest way to prevent the issue is by ensuring that the temperature remains uniform throughout the curing process.
7 Tips To Minimise The Impact Of Hot Weather Concreting
- Avoid pouring or using concrete between 11 am to 4 pm as the temperature is at its highest between these times.
- Create a shed in your construction site to store sand, cement and stone aggregates.
- Keep stone aggregates cold by sprinkling water over them at fixed intervals.
- Sprinkle cold water on reinforcements, forms and sub-grade just before placing the concrete.
- Try to finish the concrete placement process quickly if you want to minimise the impact of hot weather concreting.
- Using concrete after a long time you have prepared them will decrease the material’s workability. You have to mix more water to deal with the situation.
- Start moist curing concrete once it attains the required degree of hardening.
These being said, it’s time you follow the tips stated above and choose a reputed concrete supplier if you want to minimise the impact of hot weather concreting.
