Concrete pouring in hot and cold weather

As previously mentioned, cement hydration is a thermo-activated exothermic reaction whose effect is exacerbated by high external temperatures. High temperatures accelerate setting, hardening, and evaporation of mixing water, which can degrade the characteristics of hardened concrete and increase the risk of cracking. Conversely, low temperatures slow down reactions and can, for example, delay formwork removal.

This sensitivity to temperature should be taken into account by following a few rules relating to the formulation and preparation of concrete, then its application and curing until maturity.

In the two situations detailed below, a real-time concrete temperature monitoring system can be used to adjust the corrective method(s) and thus control the temperature and also verify that excessive temperatures are not reached.