Solutions to improve the quality of mass concrete construction in climate conditions of Southern Vietnam

Abstract

Concrete is the most commonly used material in construction works, a mixture of sand, stone, cement, water and other substances (if any). To become the concrete, the cement will create reaction with water, producing the heat, which turns the cement into the stone and concrete. This phenomenon is called hydration heat. When constructing foundation framework of high-rise buildings, related units such as investor, design consultant, supervision consultant, construction unit rarely pay attention to the phenomenon of the hydration heat because of the Vietnamese standard of TCXDVN 305: 2004 “Mass concrete - Code of practice of construction and acceptance” conventionalizes that it is necessary to pay attention to the phenomenon of hydration heat when the smallest size of concrete from 2m or more. The Southern Vietnam is a region with a tropical monsoon climate, with 2 distinct rainy and sunny seasons. The rainy season is influenced by the southwest monsoon, so the intensity of rainfall is quite large. In the dry season, thermal radiation is also higher than other regions. Such hot and humid climates have a great impact on the quality of the concrete and reinforced concrete, especially in the process of hardening and forming the original structure of the concrete. The sunny weather, hot and dry air makes the concrete dehydrate quickly during the early hardening time, creating a hollow structure which reduces the intensity and the ability of waterproofing or causes cracking the concrete surface. The high solar radiation and strong winds also increase this ability. Therefore, the article presents “Solutions to improve the quality of mass concrete construction in the climate of Southern Vietnam”