Concrete slab question
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Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Eastern WA
Concrete slab question
I need to pour a concrete slab (monolithic foundation) for a pump house I'm going to build and with the weather here getting down to 22-25 degrees at night I'm wondering how to protect it from freezing. I don't have power turned on at the property so heaters are not an option. Should I just lay a tarp over it and spread out a few bales of straw? And for how many days do I have to worry about freezing damage? The outer perimeter of the foundation will be 8" x 8" with a 2 - 3" floor. Thanks in advance.
**I have to wonder if the deer and elk will munch on that straw and leave little footie prints in that new concrete............
**I have to wonder if the deer and elk will munch on that straw and leave little footie prints in that new concrete............
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: in the adirondack mts
tarping will help as crete generates heat as it cures. get past the 1st 24 hrs you should be gold. they sell a cold mix here (no i don't recall the name) that cures faster but still need tarping
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
are you going to mix it yourself, or have it delivered??
pouring concrete in the winter requires calcium chloride being added to the mix so it will not freeze as it sets up. it will still need to be covered to retain the heat the curing process generates.
if you are pouring over a sand bed, you should be able to uncover it after 4-5 days. if your are pouring over a plastic sub strata or something that will hold in the moisture, it will take allot longer to setup.
pouring concrete in the winter requires calcium chloride being added to the mix so it will not freeze as it sets up. it will still need to be covered to retain the heat the curing process generates.
if you are pouring over a sand bed, you should be able to uncover it after 4-5 days. if your are pouring over a plastic sub strata or something that will hold in the moisture, it will take allot longer to setup.
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span some 2x4's arcoss the slab to the top of 5gal pails or the like and lay the tarp across then secure it against any wind by laying 2 x 6's along the edge of the tarp.
seal off all the edges and place an in-car heater or small fan style electrical heater to keep the air moving around during the time the outdoor temp is lower than 34*F.
The pour:
Use a 2% calcium chloride mix (to speed up the curing effect) and make sure there is a a 4-6% air-entraining agent in it as well.
72 hours is long enough to remove the moisture from the concrete.
So as long as the ambient temp outside is higher than 34*F you should be fine without the heater.
I assume you have electrical power at the site
seal off all the edges and place an in-car heater or small fan style electrical heater to keep the air moving around during the time the outdoor temp is lower than 34*F.
The pour:
Use a 2% calcium chloride mix (to speed up the curing effect) and make sure there is a a 4-6% air-entraining agent in it as well.
72 hours is long enough to remove the moisture from the concrete.
So as long as the ambient temp outside is higher than 34*F you should be fine without the heater.
I assume you have electrical power at the site
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Post Fiend
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From: Eastern WA
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What is the temperature of the area these days & nights?
If it gets really cold at night the only other option is a propane heater.
Concrete that gets frozen will breakdown and crumble in no time.
Normally up here in the Calgary area after October 20th we don't pour anything outside (depending on weather forecast) unless there is a plan in effect for shrouding and heating the project.
72 hours for concrete dehydration (no catalyst) at ambient temp of 62*F and above
14 days for 60% curing without being subject to freezing temperatures
21 days for 75% curing without being subject to freezing temperatures
28 days for 100% curing without being subject to freezing temperatures
If it gets really cold at night the only other option is a propane heater.
Concrete that gets frozen will breakdown and crumble in no time.
Normally up here in the Calgary area after October 20th we don't pour anything outside (depending on weather forecast) unless there is a plan in effect for shrouding and heating the project.
72 hours for concrete dehydration (no catalyst) at ambient temp of 62*F and above
14 days for 60% curing without being subject to freezing temperatures
21 days for 75% curing without being subject to freezing temperatures
28 days for 100% curing without being subject to freezing temperatures
Last edited by Mil1ion; Oct 22, 2006 at 02:16 PM.
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