Effect of Mixing and Placing in Hot Weather on Hardened Concrete Properties

Portland cement concrete exposed to high temperatures during mixing, transporting, casting, finishing, and curing can develop undesirable characteristics. Applicable requirements for such the hot weather concrete differ from country to country and government agencies. The current study is an attempt at evaluating the hardened properties of the concrete exposed to hot weather in fresh state. First of all, this study reviews the current state of understanding and practice for hot weather concrete placement in US and then roadway sites with suspected hot weather concrete problems were investigated. Core samples were obtained from the field locations and were analyzed by standard resonance frequency analysis and the boil test. Based on the results, there does not appear to be systematic evidence of frequent cracking problems related to high temperature placement. Thus, the suspicious deteriorations which are referable to hot weather concreting would be due to other factors.