3
I used to think accelerators were fine for cold weather pours. Not anymore after last January.
Last January we had a 5am pour up in Boulder and the temps dropped faster than I expected. I added calcium like I always did and it ended up cracking bad in about 3 hours. My old foreman who retired two years back told me flat out I was rushing the set and making the slab brittle. Now I just use hot water and insulated blankets on cold days. Has anyone else had better luck skipping the chemicals in winter?
2 comments
Log in to join the discussion
Log In2 Comments
jordan46412d ago
Figured out the hard way that calcium accelerator messes with the cement's hydration chemistry in a bad way when temps drop real fast. Switched to using a heated curing blanket and a slower-setting mix design last winter, never looked back.
4
rivershah11d ago
Rushing the set and making the slab brittle." That's the key right there. Same thing happens with everything nowadays. Everyone wants things done faster, but fast usually means weaker.
2