Wagon Wheel-CS081120
Protection of Test Cylinders in Cold Weather
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Carol Dye - Protection of Test Cylinders in Cold Weather
From:
Date:
Subject:
Attachments:
"Donna Lange" <donna@gmeconsult.com>
11/2012008 10: 18 AM
Protection of Test Cylinders in Cold Weather
2008 Cold Weather Cylinder Storage Memo.PDF
Please see attached memo from GME Consulting Services regarding the Protection of Concrete and
Masonry Test Specimens in Cold Weather. This memo is being sent to the superintendents on the
jobsites where GME Consulting Services is performing concrete testing services.
If you have any questions regarding this memo, please don't hesitate to call our office at 214.351.5633.
<<2008 Cold Weather Cylinder Storage Memo.PDF>>
Thank You,
Donna Lange
GME Consulting Services, Inc.
Office Administrator
214-351-5633
file://C:\Documents and Settings\cdye\Local Settings\Temp\XPgrpwise\4925396BCity _ 0... 11/20/2008
DATE:
November 20, 2008
SUBJECT:
Protection of Test Cylinders in Cold Weather
Winter is upon us and we may have several months with days and nights of cold and even sub-freezing
weather. We at GME felt it appropriate to give everyone a reminder on some general concerns we have
regarding the initial curing and field storage of your concrete test cylinders during this period of the year.
Improper field curing of the test cylinders during cold weather can impact the initial and ultimate cylinder
compressive strenhrths. We haven't experienced this as of yet on any of your sites, however, if care isn't
exercised during the initial field curing of the test cylinders, then we should expect to see a reduction in the
rate of strength gained from 0 to 7 and from 7 to 28 days. To reduce the potential for erratic strength
results, we recommend that appropriate precautions be taken in the field to provide for the initial storage
and curing of the test cylinders.
It is important that some method be used which will allow for protection of heat loss from the cylinders
during their initial 24 hours of curing. In this area of the country, we normally don't gct hard or prolonged
Ireezing temperatures that require heated storage boxes. Normally, insulated plywood storage boxes with
lids are adequate for the initial storage as the hydration heat of the concrete test cylinders tends to maintain
the box temperature at a high enough temperature to reduce the potential for freezing or retardation of the
curing process. Normally, a 4' x 8' box can hold 4 to 6 sets of cylinders. You can determine the number of
boxes needed at the site by the average size oflarge pours (i.e. < 500 cy - 1 box) or the number of different
locations at which you may be pouring concrete at the same time around the site. The box(es) will need to
be pre-positioned near the concrete pours each time you have a pour in order to avoid unnecessary
movement of the cylinders unless you are on a very small site.. The trades must be infonned not to remove
these boxes or use them for scrap lumber.
If we can implement this approach to protecting the cylinders during the initial curing process, we can
likely avoid a lot of the unnecessary headaches, phone calls and delays, which otten result from low or
questionable concrete strengths, which commonly occur during this period of the year.
If you have any questions regarding this memo or our recommendations, please don't hesitate to call me at
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