FP-96 English Version - Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division

Section 552During cold weather, protect the concrete for at least 7 days at or above theminimum temperatures in Table 552-3.Furnish and place continuously recording surface temperature measuringdevices that are accurate within ±2 bF.At the end of the protection period, allow the concrete to cool gradually over24 hours at a rate not to exceed the maximum values shown in Table 552-3.All protection may be removed when the concrete surface temperature iswithin 25 bF of the ambient air temperature.Table 552-3Cold Weather Concrete Surface TemperaturesMinimum section sizedimension, inchMinimum temperature ofconcrete during protection periodMaximum allowable temperaturedrop in any 24-hour period afterend of protection< 12 12 - 36 36 - 72 > 7255 bF 50 bF 45 bF 40 bF50 bF 40 bF 30 bF 20 bF(b) Hot weather. Hot weather is any time during the concrete placementthat the ambient temperature at the work site is above 90 bF.In hot weather, cool all surfaces that will come in contact with the mix tobelow 90 bF. Cool by covering with wet burlap or cotton mats, fog sprayingwith water, covering with protective housing, or by other approved methods.During placement, maintain concrete temperature by using any combinationof the following:(1) Shade the material storage areas or production equipment.(2) Cool aggregate by sprinkling.(3) Cool aggregate and/or water by refrigeration or replacing a portion orall of the mix water with flaked or crushed ice to the extent that the icewill completely melt during mixing of the concrete.382