Experimental study of the effect of curing mode on concreting in hot weather

Abstract

Most developing countries have hot climate, ordinary jobsites characterized by reduced of human resources, equipment and infrastructures. The objective of this article is to make an experimental study of the influence of the hot climate such as that of Algeria, on the different properties of concrete in the fresh state, such as excessive water evaporation from the concrete surface, increased demand for water, increased slump loss corresponding to additional water on job-site, higher plastic shrinkage cracking and difficulty in controlling air content. At the hardened state, we could mention a reduction of strength at 28 days, decreased durability resulting from cracking at long-term period. To show the problems linked to concreting under these conditions and to present the appropriate solutions concrete or mortar can withstand the conditions in which it is implemented. Thus, negative effects caused principally by hot weather concreting motivated the choice of the such study. The research experimental work conditions in which the cementitious matrix was kept concerned two different environments, namely hot and dry climate conditions (t = 40°, h = 0%) alike the climate of the region of M'sila., and that of a medium with a hot and humid environment (t = 40°, h = 100%). The output of the investigation demonstrated the crucial role of the cure method in hot regions. The comparison of results for a reference concrete kept in air without any curing measures with two curing types simulating hot weather environment of the region M'sila was undertaken. These obtained outcome results were discussed based on the influence of climatic conditions to conclude procedures for hot weather concreting and suitable cure methods.