Concrete Slab

[Glennman CBO]

We just (yesterday) poured a concrete interior floor slab for our new church. The problem is that it's exterior now, and it won't be interior for about a couple of months, and it's cold outside. The temperature at night is about 25 deg, and about 40 during the day. We have it completely covered with insulating blankets. The temps have gotten as low as 15 deg on some days, but the outlook for a week out is pretty good for now. The temp at pour was 50 deg.

Questions are...

1. How long should we keep the blankets in place?

2. Should we remove them during the day and replace them at night?

3. Should we wet the slab once a day? (That one someone told me we should do, but I don't know)

Any help or other advice on my babysitting job would be greatly appreciated!

Glenn

 

[JBI]

Re: Concrete Slab

ACI standard any help?

 

[globe trekker]

Re: Concrete Slab

Glen

Sometimes the supplier of the concrete have engineers on staff that can provide some guidance for you. Have you checked with them about the specifications of this particular pour? If they do not have anyone on staff, check with a local concrete manufacturers rep. for your area. I would think that you should be able to locate one relatively easy when using Google.

Also, did ya'll apply any type of curing liquids to speed things up and retard cracking [ somewhat ]?

 

[Glennman CBO]

Re: Concrete Slab

Thanks everyone.

I talked to the outfit that delivered the concrete and they suggested at least 4 to 5 days. The people that did the pour will be needing their blankets by Friday morning. That gives it only (3) full days, but the temp is not expected to drop below 35 degress at night, and the daytime temps are expected to be as high as 50. I hope that will be good enough.

 

[mtlogcabin]

Re: Concrete Slab

If it will be exposed to the cold for a couple of months it should have been Air Entrained concrete

 

[globe trekker]

Re: Concrete Slab

Glen,

After re-reading your OP, what does your architect or structural engineer say about the concrete?

You DID have the design professionals inspect this pour... yes? :?

 

[mtlogcabin]

Re: Concrete Slab

Good point the specs should have coverd cold weather concrete procedures.