IS : 7801 ( Part II ) - 1981

( Rediied 1997 )

Indian Standard
CODE OF PRACTICE FOR
EXTREME WE~ATHER CONCRETING
PART II RECOMMENDED PRACTICE FOR
COLD WEATHER CONCRETINQ

( Fifth Reprint SEPTEMBER 1998 )

UDC 693.54F3 : 69.001-3

0 Copyright 1981

BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS

MANAK BHAVAN, 9 BAHADUR SHAH ZAFAR MARO
NEW D$LHI 110001

Gr 6 Jzlb 1981
IS : 7861( Part II ) - 1981

Indian Standard
CODE OF PRACTICE FOR
EXTREME WEATHER CONCRETING

PART II RECOMMENDED PRACTICE FOR

COLD WEATHER CONCRETING

Cement and Concrete Sectional Committee, BDC 2

Chairman Rcpresenlirg
~~ H. C. VISVESVARAYA Cement Research Institute of India, New Delhi

Mem hers
ADDITIONAL DIRECTOR, STANDARDS Research, Designs & Standards Organization
(B&S) ( Ministry of Railways), Lucknow
DRPUTY DIRECTOR, STANDARDS
( B & S ) ( Allernate )
SunI K. P. fkNznJEIi: Larsen & Toubro Ltd, Bombay
SNRI Haxrsrr N. MALANI ( Alfernate )
SHRI s. I(. IbNEltJEE . National Test House. Calcutta
SH~I R. N. BANSAL Beas Designs Organt&ation, Nangal Township
Snnr T. C. Gano ( Afterante )
CHIEF ENQIBEEX ( DESIGNS ) Central Public Works Department, New Delhi
EXECUTIVE ENQINEER
( Dzzs~a,us ) III ( Altern& )
CIIIIZF ENGINEER ( Pi~0J~c~s ) Irrigation Department, Government of Punjab,
Chandigarh
D~~JzcTo~~. IPRI ( Akrnatc )
DIRECTOR ( CSMRS ) Central Water Commission, New Delhi
DEPUTY DII~ECTOR ( CSMRS)
( Al6ernnts )
Dn R. K. GHOSU Central Road Research Inst,itute ( CSIR ), New
Delhi
SIIRI Y. R. ~‘EULL ( Alternafe I )
SHRI RI. D~NAKUUN ( Alternate I I )
-,R R. K. GIIOSR Indian Road Congress, New Delhi
SIIRI B. R. GOVIND Engineer&&hief’s Branch, Army Headquarters
SIIRI P. C. JA~N ( Allernafc)
SLIRI A. K. GUPTA Hyderabad Asbestos Cement Prnducta Ltd,
Hyderabad

( Contintvd on page 2 )

@ Copyright 1981
BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS
This publication is protected under the-In&n Copyright Act ( XIV of 1957 ) and
reproduction in whole or in part by any means except with written permission of the
publisher shall be deemed to be an infringement of copyright under the said Act.
I8 : 7861( Part II ) - 1981

( Conlinudfrom $agg 1 )
Membm Rcpwscnling
Da R. R. HATTIANQADI The Associated Cement Companies Ltd, Bombay
SRRI P. J. J~oue ( Altmatc)
DR IQSJALALI Engineering Research Laboratories, Hyderabad
SH~I S. R. KULXABNI M. N. Dastur ik Co Pvt Ltd, Calcutta
SHRI S. K. LAHA The Institution of Engineers ( India ), Calcutta
Saar B. T. UNWALLA ( Alternala )
DR MOUAN RAI Cent~Jor~~~lding Research Institute ( CSIR ),

Da S. S. RERSI ( Affcmatc)
Snnx K. K. NAMBIAR In personal capacity ( (Rhmanalaya II First
Crescent Park Road, Gandhinagar, Adyar, Madras )
SsnxH. S. PASIUCEA Hindustan Prefab Ltd, New Delhi
S~nr C. S. MI~JHRA
( Alfnnatc)
DB M. RAMAIA~ Structural Engineering Research Centre ( CSIR),
Roorkee
Da N. S. BRAL ( Allnnafe )
SHRI G. RAMDAS Directorate General of Supplies and Disposals,
New Delhi
Drr A, V. R. RAO National Buildings Organization, New Delhi
SHRI J, SEN GFPTA ( Altcmatc )
SIZRI R. W. CIIALAPATHIRao Geological Survey oT India, Calcutta
Slini S..ROY ( Alternate)
SnRI T. N. S. RA.O Gammon India Ltd, Bombay
SHRI S. R. Pr~ncrno ( Alternate )
San1 ARJVN R~JHSIN~I~ANI Cement Corporation of India Ltd, New Delhi
SHRI K. VITHAL RAO ( Alfernafe )
SECRETARY Central Board of Irrigation and Power, New
Delhi
DEPUTY SJXXETARY (I) ( Altcmatc )
Snnr N. SIVAOUBU Roads Wing (Ministry of Shipping and Transport),
New Delhi
SIIRI R. L. KAPOOR ( Alfcmatc )
SERI K. A. SlJBnAMANIAiU The India Cements Ltd, Madras
SI~RI P. S. RAMACUANDRAN( Altematc)
S TJP E ILI N T E N II I N o ~ZNQINE~I~ Public Works Department, Government of
( DESIQNS) Tamilnadu, Madras
EXECUT[VE EN~INXER ( SM & R .
DIVISION) ( Alternate )
SHRI L. SWAnOoP Dalmia Cement ( Bharat ) Ltd, New Delhi
SERI A. V. RAMANA ( Alternate )
SHRI B. T. UNWALLA The Concrete Association of India, Bombay
Snn~ Y. K. M~HTA ( Akrnatc )
SERI G. RAMAN, Director General, IS1 ( Ex-o&o Member )
Director (Civ Engg)

Secretary
SURI M. N. NIZELAKANDIIAN
Assistant Director (Civ Engg ), ISI

( Continusd on,pnpr 23 )

2
IS t 7861(Par* II ) - 1981

Indian Standard
CODE OF PRACTICE FOR
EXTREME WEATHER CONCRETING
PART II RECOMMENDED PRACTlCE FOR
COLD WEATHER CONCRETING

0. FOREWORD

0.1 This Indian Standard ( Part If ) was adopted by the Indian

Standards Institution on 30 January 1981, after the draft finalized by the
Cement and Concrete Sectional Committee had been approved by the
Civil Engineering Division Council.
0.2 In order to meet the need for recommended practices for extreme
weather concreting, the Sectional Committee decided to evolve Indian
Standards on the subject. Accordingly, IS : 7861 ( Part I )-1975. was
brought out to cover recommended practice for hot weather concreting.
This standard covers recommended practice for cold weather concreting.
0.3 The present demand on the building and civil engineering structures
makes it imperative that work be continued throughout the winter months
irrespective ~of cold weather. In India certain areas are subjected to
severe cold weather for a long period. They include Northern, North-
East and North-West Zones, etc, of the country. Winter concreting
techniques should be followed to carry out continuous construction in
these areas.
0.4.The production of concrete in cold weather introduces special and
peculiar problems which do not arise whiIe concreting at normal tempe-
ratures. Quite apart from the problems associated with setting and
hardening of cement concrete, severe damage may occur if concrete
which is still in the plastic state is exposed to low temperature, thus
causing ice lenses to form and expansion to occur within the pore struc-
ture. Hence it is essential to keep the temperature of the concrete above
a minimum value before it is placed in the formwork. After placing,
concrete may be kept above a certain temperature with the help of
proper insulating methods before the protection is removed. During
periods of low ambient temperature, special techniques are to be adopted
to cure the concrete while it is in the formwork or after its removal.
0.5 The objects of this recommended code are to identify the problems
and to recommend cold weather concreting practices which’will eliminate ’

3
IS t 7861 ( Part II ) - 1981

to a large extent the adverse effects likely to be experienced in the

absence of such practice. Adoption of these recommended practices
may result in concrete possessing improved characteristics in -the freshly
mixed and hardened state.
0.6 For the purpose of deciding whether a particular requiremrnt of this
standard is complied with, the final value, observed or calculated,
expressing the result of a test or analysis, shall be rounded off in accor-
-dance with IS : 2-1960*. The number of significant places ratained in
the rounded off value should be the same as that of the specified value in
this standard.

1. SCOPE
1.1 Thii code deals with the procedure and precautions to be observed
while concreting in cold weather so as to minimize the detrimental effects
of cold weather on concreting in general types of construction, such as
-buildings, bridges, highways, pavements and other similar structures.
NoTB-AI’I requirements of IS : 456-197&t and IS: 1343.1980f in so far as they
apply shall be deemed to form part of this code rxcrpt where otherwise laid down
in this code.

2. TE ‘MINOLOGY
2.0 For‘1,,the purpose of this code, the following definitions shall apply in
addition to the definitions covered by IS : 4815-1968s and IS : 6461
( Parts I to XII )II.
2.1 Cold Weather Concreting - Any operation of concreting done at
about 5°C atmospheric temperature or below.
2.2 Prehardening Period - The prescribed time ~for which the tempe-
rature of freshly placed concrete is required to be maintained above the
freezing point.
*Rules for rounding off~numerical valub? ( r&cd ).
tCode of practice for plain and reinforced concrete ( third reuision ).
f&de of oractice for Drestresscd concrete C finfrcuision 1,
lDefinitio>s and terminology relating to h&aulic cement.
/lGlossary of terms relating to cenreut concrete:
Part I-1972 Concrete aggregates
Part II-.1972 Materials ( other than cement and aggregate 1
Part III-1972 Concrete reinforcement
Part IV-1972 Types of concrete
Part V-1972 Formwork for concrete
Part VI-1972 Equipment, tools and plant
Part VII-1973 Mixing, laying, compaction, curing and other construction
aspects
Part VIII-1973 Properties of concrete
Part IX-1973 Stfuctural aspects
Part X-1973 Tests and testing apparatus
Part XI-1973 Prestressed concrete
Part XII-1973 Miscellaneous

4
I8 I 7861 ( Part II ) 1981
l

3. EFFECTS OF COLD WEATHER ON CONCRETE

3.1 Effects of cold weather on concrete, in the absence ofspecial pre-
c~autions, may be as f6llows:
a) Dclaycd Sitting - When the temperature is falling to about 5°C
or below, the development of concrete strength is retarded com-
pared with the strength development at nofmal temperatures.
The hardening period, necessary before the removal of forms is
thus increased and the experience from concreting at normal
temperature cannot be used directly.
bj Freezing of Concreteat Early Agts - When concrete is exposed to
freezing’temperature, there is the risk of concrete suffering irre-
parable loss of strength and other qualities, that is, permeability
may increase and the durability may be impaiied.
c) Repeated Freezing and Thawing of Concrete- If concrete is exposed
to repeated freezing and -thawing after final set and during the
hardening period, the final qualities of the concrete may also be
impaired.
d) Stresses Due to TempcraturcDt&entiaL - It is a general experience
that large temperature differentials within the concrete member
may promote cracking and have a harmful effect on the dura-
bility. Such differentials are likely to occur in cold weather at
the time of removal of form insulations.
NOTE -A comprehensive note on the effect of cold weather on the properties
of concrete is given in Appendix A.
3.2 The harmful effects of cold weather on concrete and concreting may
be minimized by a number of practical procedures outlined in 4 to 8.
The degree to which their application is justified depends on circums-
tances and shall be ~determined appropriately.
3.3 The severity of the weather determines the precautions to be taken.
For this purpose cold weather can be divided into three -categories:
a) When the temperature is below 5°C but does not fall below free-
zing point,
b) When frost occurs at night only and is not very severe, and
c) When there is severe frost day and night.
Table 1 generally summarizes the precautions to be taken in each
case.
4. TEMPERATURE CONTeOL OF CONCRETE INGREDIENTS
4.1 The most direct approach to keeping concrete temperature up is by
controlling the temperature of its ingredients. The contribution of each
ingredient to the temperature of concrete is a function of the temperature,

5
IS t 7861 ( Part II ) - 1981

specific heat, and quantity used of that ingredient. The aggregates and
mixing water exert the most pronounced en‘ecl 0x1 tcmpcraturt of
concrete. Thus, in cold weather, all available means shall be used for
maintaining these materials at as high a temperature as practicable.

TABLE 1 PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES

( ctaU.re 3.3 )

CONDITIONS PIGECAUTIONBTO BETAKEN

a) At low temperature 1) Keep formwork in position longer, or ure rapid

hardening cement;
2) Cover the top of the concrete with insulating
material;
3) Insulate steel formwork; and
4) Make sure that concrete is delivered to the
point of placing at not less than 5°C.

b) When there is Croat at night Take all the precautions given at (a) and the
~following:
1) Insulate all formwork,

2) Make sure that concrete is not placed against

a-frozen sub-griide or against reinforcement or
forms covered with snow or ice, and
S) Place concrete quickly and insulate.

c) When there is severe frost day Take all the precautions given at (a) and (b)
and night and the following:
1) Heat the water and, if necessary, the aggre-
gate; and
2) Make sure that concrete is delivered to the
point of placing at not less than lo%, place
quickly and insulate; or make sure concrete is
delivered to the point of placitlg at not less
than 5%. place quickly and provide conti-
nuous heating to the concrete.

4.2 Aggregates - Heating of aggregates shall be such that frozen

lumps, ice and snow are eliminated and at the same time over-heating
is avoided. AX no point shall the aggregate temperature exceed 100°C; the
average temperature of aggregate for an individual batch shall not
exceed 65°C. The heating of aggregates to temperatures higher than
15°C is rarely necessary with mixing water at 60°C.
4.2.1 If the coarse aggregate is dry and free of frost and ice lumps,
adequate temperatures of fresh concerte can be obtained by increasing the
. temperature of only the sand, which will seldom have to be higher than
about 4O”C, if Mixing water is at 60°C.

6
IS I 7861 ( Part II ) - 1981

4.2.2 Steam in embedded pipes is recommended for heating aggre-

gate, but for small jobs aggregates may be heated -with the help of steel
drums embedded in heaped aggregates and filled with fire. When aggre-
gates in stockpiles aie heated by steam pipes, exposed surfaces of aggre-
gate shall be covered with tarpaulins as much as practicable to maintain
uniform distribution of heat and to prevent formation of frozen crusts.
4.3 Water - Mixing water shall be heated under such a control
and in sufficient quantity as to avoid appreciable fluctuations in tempe-
rature from batch to batch. The required temperature of mixing
water to produce specified concrete is shown in Fig. 1. To avoid
possibility of flash set when either aggregate or water is heated
to a temperature in excess of 40°C, water and aggregate shall be mixed
together in the mixer first in such a way that the high tempmature of one
or other is reduced before cement is added. ‘The heated water shall come
into direct contact with aggregate first and not cement.
4.3.1 Water having temperature up to the boiling point may be used
provided the aggregate is cold enough to reduce the temperature of the
mixing water and aggregate to appreciably below 40°C. In fact this
temperature shall not normally exceed 25°C.
4.3.2 If loss of effectiveness of air entraining admixtures is noticed due
to hot water, the admixture may be added to the batch only after water
temperature has been reduced.
4.4 Cement TDuring .winter concreting, it is preferable to use rapid-
hardening Portland cement ( JCCIS : 8041-I978* ).
5. PROPORTIONING OF CONCRETE MIX MATERIALS AND
CONCRETE MIX DESIGN
5.1 In general, for the winter conditions prevailing in India satisfactory
concreting can be achieved mainly by conserving the heat of hydration of
cement with insulations and insulated formworks. Wherever damage to
hardened concrete by alternate freezing and thawing during service is
anticipated, air entrainment is necessary. The type and quantity of
cement used in the concrete mix affect, the rate of development of com-
pressive strength and rate of increase in temperature of concrete.
Additional quantity of ordinary Portland cement, rapid-hardening Port-
land cement or use of accelerating admixtures, when used with proper
precautions, helps in development of the required strength in a shorter
period. This often res,ults in saving due to shorter duration of protection,
faster re-use of forms, earlier removal of shores and less labour in finishing
the work. Use of cement which gives earlier and higher heat of
hydration is preferable. The cement content in the mix shall preferably
be not less than 300 kg/ms.
*Specification for rapid hardening Portland cement (fisf ~GvJ).

7
18r7861(PartII).1981

CONTEN, Z.,VU ,~g,,,,-

I
20 26

TEMPERATURE OF CONCRETE,“C

a 5 10 15 20 25
TEMPERATURE OF CONCREtE,‘C

Moisture content of aggregate:

Damp ( 4?e in fine, 1% in coarse ) -
Wet ( 8% In fine, 2O/Uin coarse ) --_-__
Temperature of aggregate and contained moisture = 1°C
Temperature of cement = 5°C

Fro. 1 REQUIREDTEYPERATIJRE-OF
MIXING WATER TO PRODUCE
HEATEDCONCRETE
8
IS : 7861 (Part II ) - 1981

5.1.1 Air-entraining admixtures and accelerators, when proposed to be

used, shall conform to the requirements of IS : 9103-19i9* and shall be
used only after proper evaluation with the cement and aggregates pro-
posed to be used in the works. If a combination of different admixtures
is used, preliminary tests shall be carried out with such combination
prior to use in the actual construction.

5.2 Calcium Chloride as an Accelerator

5.2.1 In cold weather concrete constructior! jobs, calcium chloride may

be used as an accelerating admixture. However, there are conditions
under which it should not be used and such applications as given
in 5.2.1.1 to 5.2.1.4 shall be carefully noted. While calcium chloride is
used as an accelerator in concrete, the limit of total chloride in the concrete
shall be as stipulated in IS : 456-19787. It shall however not be used
in prestressed concrete because of its potential danger in augmenting
stress corrosion. Where sulphate resisting concrete is required, calcium
chloride shall not be used.
5.2.1.1 In reinforced concrete works, the threat of corrosion is
higher when chlorides are used as admixtures, especially under any or a
combination of the following conditions:
a) When there are cracks in the concrete,
b) When there are areas exposed to alternate wetting and drying,
c) When the concrete cover is small, and
d) When the concrete is permeable.
5.2.1.2 The presence of chlorides has been associated with corrosion
of galvanised steel, when this material is used for permanent forms or for
embedded parts and its use is not recommended in such construction.
5.2.1.3 Recent studies have indicated that galvanic corrosion of
metal is intensified by addition of calcium chloride to concrete.
5.2.i.4 Calcium chloride increases the risk of alkali aggregate
reaction, unless controlled by the use of low alkali cement or by addition
of pozzolanas.
5.2.2 Tests have indicated that increase in strength resulting from the
use of calcium chloride usually can be maximum in 1 to 3 days; the
relative increase in flexural strength in concrete is not as high as increase
in compressive strength, and decrease in flexural strength may occur at
28 days or later ages:

*Specification for admixtures for concrete.

tCode of practice for plain and reinforced concrete ( fhird WD~S~CVI
).

9
-18;:7861 ( Part II ) - 1981

5.2.3 There are insufficient data on the use of’ calcium chloride with
Portland slag cement or other blended cements to justify any recommen-
dations concerning the use of chlorides with such cements.

S-2.4 As calcium chloride precipitates most air-entraining agents and

some water retaining agents when mixed in the same solution, it is impor-
tant that these be kept in separate solutions and introduced separately
into the mixer.

5.2.5 When calcium chloride is used, the doses shall be dissolved in a

portion of mixing water before batching, since undissolved lumps may,
later on, disfigure concrete surfaces.

5.2.6 While making solution of calcium chloride, add calcium chloride

to water and not water to calcium chloride, as it is an exothermic
reaction and may cause accident.

5.2.7 Calcium chloride, or other chemicals in the mix, if used in per-

missible amounts, will not lower the freezing point of concrete to any
significant degree. The use of harmful materials to protect the concrete
from freezing shall not be permitted.

5.3 Air-Entraining Agents- This type of admixture, in-proper amounts,

increases the resistance of hardened concrete to freezing and thawing and
normally at the same time improves the workability of fresh concrete.
The compressive strength of air-entrained concrete at 28 days shall not
be less than 90 percent of a refer.ence mix without air entrainment.
A small increase in shrinkage may occur.

5.3.1 For prestressed concrete, air-entraining agents shall be permitted

only if they do not contain chlorides.

-6. TEMPERATURE OF CONCRETE AS PLACED

6.1 In cold weather, the temperature of concrete at the time of place-

ment goes below the optimum placement temperature. When placing
concrete at or near freezing temperature, precautions shall, be taken to
ensure that concrete at the time of placing has a temperature of. at least
5”C~and that the temperature of concrete after having been placed and
compacted is maintained above 2°C until it has hardened thoroughly.

6.2 The temperature of concrete at the time of leaving the mixer or

batching plant may be calculated from the following formula, when the
temperatures of all constituents are known; the actual drop in tempera-
ture from the time it leaves the mixer/batching plant to the time of

io
IS: 7861 ( Part II ) - 1981

placing should bc cstimntccl, but may IX {aken as 2°C in the absence of

any other information in this respect:

where
T = temperature of the fresh concrete ( “C );
Ts, To, In and Tw, = temperature of the aggregates, cemenf;
added mixing water, and free water
( moisture ) in the aggregates respectively
(“C);
W,, W,,, W, and W,, = masses of the aggregates, cement, mixing
water and free moisture in the aggregates
respect.ively ( kg); and
S = specific heat of cement and aggregate.
6.2.1 A worked out example for the calculation of temperature, when
mixing water at a higher temperature is used, is given in Appendix B.
6.3 In practice the specific heat of cement and aggregate shall be taken
as 0.22 and Tn = Tw,.
6.4 In cold weather, the ingredients that go to make concrete shall
be heated to the extent necessary to maintain the temperature of concrete
( see 6.2 ) at the time of placing not less then 5°C.
6.5 Apart from assessing the temperature of concrete mix by the formula
given in 6.2, the temperature of concrete shall also be ascertained from a
sample of the design mix. For this purpose, a suitable metal-clad thermo-
meter may be used by embedding it in concrete.

7. PRODUCTION AND DELIVERY

7.1 Preparation for concreting in cold weather may be completed well in
advance of setting in of severe conditions. Wind breakers shall be
erected to shield the mixing and batching plants; tarpaulin, plastic sheet
and other covering ,and insulating materials may be made available on
the site and the steam generating plant or other necessary equipment
shall be installed and checked for correc+ functioning.
7.2 Suitable protecting clothing shall be available to the site staff and
the operators shall be carefully instructed in procedures for concreting
during cold weather.
7.3 The concrete shall be delivered to the point of placing at not less
than 5°C. It is necessary to place the concrete quickly and cover the top
of the concrete with an insulating material.

11
IS t 7861 ( Part II ) - 1981

8. PLACEMENT, PROTECTION AND CURING

8.1 Placement - Before any concrete is placed, all ice, snow and frost
shall be completely removed and the temperature of all surfaces to be in
contact with new concrete shall be raised as close to the temperature
of fresh concrete to be placed thereon as practicable. No concrete shall
be @aced on a frozen subgrade or on one that contains frozen materials.
Where concrete is to be .placed over .permanently frozen ground, subgrade
material may be thawed deep enough to ensure that it will not freeze
back up to the concrete or it may be covered with a sufficient depth of
dry granular material.
8.1,1 Arrangements for covering and insulating of newly placed con-
crete shall be made in advance of placement and shall be adequate to
maintain in all parts of concrete, the temperature and moisture conditions
that are referred to herein for winter curing temperature and methods.

8.2 Protection - During cold weather, all concrete surfaces shall be

covered as soon as the concrete has been placed in order to keep the heat
in and to help prevent freezing. Clean straw blankets, about 50 mm
thick, sacking, tarpaulins, expanded polystyrene, plastic sheeting and
waterproof paper can all be used in conjuction with air gap as an insu-
lation. If possible insulating material shall be placed against any form-.
work before concreting and the same can be used as protection after the
formwork has ~been stripped.
8.2.1 Recommendations for protection are given in Table 2 for
concrete walls and ,floor slabs above ground, and in Table 3 for concrete
slabs laid on ground at a temperature of 4*4”C, the concrete being placed
at ,10X in each instance. The requirements are calculated for blanket
type insulation with a conductivity of 360.6W/m.“C/m~ for a thermal
gradient of 0*22”C per cm and the values given are for still air conditions.
The equivalent thicknesses of various insulating materials that may be
used are given in Table 4.
8.2.2 For cement contents intermediate between those given in Tables 2
and 3, allowable air temperatures may be linearly interpolated.
8.2.3 Heated enclosures are commonly used for protecting concrete
when air temperatures are near or below freezing. Enclosures may be
heated by steam, steam pipes, and other types of heaters. Enclosures may
be made of wood, canvas, fibre insulation board, plywood, etc.

8.2.4 During placement of unformed concrete, tarpaulins or other

readily movable coverings supported on framework shall follow closely the
placing of concrete, so that only a small area of finished slab is exposed to
outside air at any time.

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I8 I 7861 ( Part II ) - 1981

TABLE 4 ‘EQUIVALENT THICKNESS OF INSULATING MATERIALS

(Cfnusc 8.2.1 )
INEWLATINQMATERJALS EQUIVALENTTIIICKNES~
mm
25 mm loose fill insulation of fibrous type 25
25 mm insulating board 20
25 mm sawdust 15
25 mm timber 8
25 mm damp sand 0.6

Such tarpaulins shall be used so that hot air can be circulated freely
on the slab. Layers of insulating materials placed directly on the con-
crete are also effective in protecting the concrete.
8.3 Curing - During periods of freezing or near-freezing conditions,
water curing is not necessary, as loss of moisture from the concrete by
evaporation is greatly reduced in cold air conditions.

8.3.1 For concrete cast in insulated formwork it is only necessary to

cover the member completely in order to retain sufhcient water for the
hydration of the cement. On removal of the formwork and insulation,
the member shall be immediately covered with plastic sheet or tarpaulins,
properly lapped and made wind-tight. On no account should such con-
crete, just released from insulated formwork, be saturated with cold water.
When protective measures are to be discontinued, the surface temperature
0f the concrete shall be gradually adjusted to the air temperature.

8.3.2 LOW pressure wet steam provides the best means of both heating
the enclosures and moist curing the concrete. Early curing .with liquid
membrane-forming compounds may be followed on concrete surface with
heated enclosures. It is better to cure first with exhaust steam during the
initial period of protection and than apply a curing compound after the
protection is removed and the air temperature is above freezing.

8.4 Removal of Forms - In cold weather, curing ( though important )

it not urgent and protection offered by forms other than of steel is often
of greater importance.
With suitable insulations, the forms, including those of steel, in
many cases will provide adequate protections without supplementary
heating. Therefore, it is often advantageous not to remove forms until
the end of the minimum period of protection or even later. Table 5 gives
recommended minimum times for stripping formwork to normal
structural concrete. The time limit indicated for removal of formwork

14
IS I 7861 ( Part II ) - 1981

to the sides of beams, columns and walls shall, in no case, be less than
the prehardening period ( see Table 6 ). If these forms are not imme-
diately required elsewhere, it is advantageous to leave them in position, as
this will accelerate the hardening process and shorten the time for strik-
ing load-bearing formwork. The time limits indicated in Table 5 are
for general guidance only. When cubes have been stored and cured
under actual site conditions ( see 10.4 ), they can be used to confirm
whether concrete has attained the necessary strength to allow the safe
removal of forms as per 10.3 of IS : 456-1978*.

TABLE 5 RECOMMENDED MINlMUM TIME LIMITS FOR STRIPPING

FORMWORK TO NORMAL STRUCTURAL CONCRETE, WHEN
THE MEMBER IS CARRYING ONLY ITS OWN WEIGHT

UEAM SLABS BEAM REMOVAL REMOVAL

Sll)ES, (PKOPS SOFFITS OF PROPS OF PROPS
WALLS LEFT ( PROPS TO BEAMS
AND UNDER ) LEFT SL:S
COLUMNS UNDER )

Days Days Days Days Days

Ordinary Portland Cold weather 5 7 14 14 28

cement concrete air temperature
about 3°C

Normal weather 1 3& 7 7 14

air temperature
about 16%

Rapid hardening Cold weather 3 4 8 8 16

Portland cement air temperature
Concrete about 3°C

Normal weather 1 2 4 4 8
air temperature
about 16°C

9. INSPECTION, TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY RECORDS

9.1 During cold weather inspection *personnel shall keep a record of the
date, time, outside air temperature, temperature of concrete at the’time of
placing and general weather ( calm, windy, clear, cloudy, etc). The
record shall .include*temperature at several points within the enclosure
and on the concrete surface, corners and edges in sufficient number to
show the highest and the lowest temperatures of the concrete.

9.2 Thermometers shall he inserted in those parts of the concrete where

maximum stresses will appear at the removal of forms.

*Code of practice for plain and reinforced concrete (dird rc~ision).

15
IS t 7861 (Part II ) - 1981

9.3 To control. the hardening process it is necessary to measure the

temperature of concrete at placing, at the time of applying the protection
and three times each day until resistance to freezing has been obtained.
9.4 Table 6 gives the minimum prehardening periods that is, the time
taken by different grades of concrete to reach the frost safety level, the
concrete being made with ordinary Portland cement without any accele-
rator. The periods given in Table 6 start from the time when the concrete
first stiffens.

9.4.1 For most medium strength structural grade concretes a reduction

in the minimum prehardening period af 25 percent on those indicated in
Table 6 can be taken when using rapid-hardening Portland cement. When
using an accelerator in approved dosage, the minimum prehardening
period can be-reduced by 25 *percent. However, whatever the measures
taken to accelerate the hardening, the minimum prehardening period
shall not be less than the following:
Curing temperature, “C 20 15 10 5
Minimum prehardening 12 16 24 36
period, hours

TABLE 6 MINIMUM PREHARDENING PERIODS

( Chuscs 8.4, 9.4, 9.4.1, and A-2.1 )
GRADE OF CONCEETE REQUISITE PREHARDENINQ PERIOD AT STATED CUEUN~
TEMPERATURE 0~ CONORXTIZIN HOURS
,~---------- *-_----__----~
20°C 15% 10°C 5°C

M 20 24 32 46 71
M 25 22 30 42 65
M 30 20 27 38 59
M 40 17 23 33 50

10. CONCRETE TESTING

10.1 Concreting in winter time requires that the quality control of concrete
is carried out with great care. The test results shall be used for fixing the
time of removal of insulations, forms, etc, or b;e the basis for further pre-
cautions at the building site.
In addition to the regular quality control, special emphasis shall be
placed on:
a) Determination of the suitability of concrete making materials for
winter concreting and control of the properties of fresh concrete,

16
IS i 7861 ( Part II ) - 1981

b) Records of air temperature and measurements of concrete

temperature at placing and during concreting, and
c) Control of strength development in the structure by testing
similarly cured specimens.
10.2 Concrete Constituents and Fresh Concrete - The testing of the
properties of the concrete constituents shall be carried out in accordance
with IS : 1199-1959*. Of special importance is knowledge on the reactivity
of the cement and control of the setting time of the cement. In addition,
it is important to ensure that water cement ratio does not exceed the
designed values. When air-entraining agents are used; the air content
shall also be controlled.
10.3 Control Specimens - Under normal concreting conditions, test
specimens arc cast and cured in a standard way to indicate the potential
strength properties of the concrete mix. For winter concreting, it is
recommended that before the job is started preliminary tests are carried
out in the laboratory of the selected concrete mix, cured at 5°C.
10.4 In additipn to cubes as per 10.3 under winter concreting conditions
it is necessary to cast a number of bpecimens the curing conditions of which
are arranged in such a way that they are exposed to the same tempera-
ture and humidity conditions as the actual structure and preferably
similar to those of the most exposed parts. These specimens are tested
before stripping takes place to ensure that the indications of strength
development obtained by temperature measurements are infact obtained.
10.5 In order to prevent drying out of the specimen, it is necessary that
similarly cured specimens are kept in the moulds until testing takes place.
10.6 The specimens shall not be tested in frozen state.

APPENDIX A
( Clause 3.1 )

EFFECTS OF COLD WEATHER ON CONCRETE PROPERTIES

A-l. EFFECTS ON COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH

A-l,1 Concretes mixed, placed and cured at temperatures lower than the
normal develop strength at a slower rate. Effects of temperature of
concrete on the development of compressive strength during the first 2%
days can be expressed’as in Fig. 2 from which it can be seen that the

*Methods of sampling and analysis of concrete.

17
IS I 7861 ( Part II ) - 1981

100

90 15%

c 10°C
80

PC
70

SO
/
-PC

50

LO
I

-VC
30

20 -

10, -

0
1 3 7 28

AGE. DAYS ILOG SCALE)

Fro. 2 EFFECT OF Low TEMPERATURE ON COMPRESSIVE

STRENGTHOF CONCRETE

18
IS : 7861 ( Part 11~)- 1981

strength could be lowered by 40 to 60 percent, even at temperature 5 to

10°C. However, this slower development of initial strength does not
necessarily impair the long term strength and adequately protected
concrete in winter would have the long term strength not significantly
lower than at normal temperatures.

A-2. EFFECTS OF FREEZING OF FRESH CONCRETE

A-2.1 Freshly placed concrete is vulnerable to freezing temperatures SO

much so that if water in fresh concrete is allowed to befrozen, irreparable
damage to the quality of concrete and permanent lowering of compressive
strength can occur. Water, upon freezing, increases in volume by 9 per-
cent, which in the case of ordinary concrete may mean an expansion of
up to 2 percent. If concrete, while still plastic is allowed to freeze, the
expansion of water could render the concrete useless and such damage
would be obvious once the formwork is removed. Concrete which has
stiffened, but not attained sufficient maturity to withstand such disruptive
forces, can be damaged upon freezing in that the bond between the
aggregates and the cement paste is weakened. This results in lowering
of the compressive strength by 30 to 50 percent even for one cycle of free-
zing; the extent of damage depending upon the maturity attained ( scu
Fig. 3).

In order to safeguard against such damage by early freezing, fresh

concrete is required to be protected and its temperature maintained above
freezing till such time that it attains sufficient strength to .withstand the
disruptive forces. The length of such prehardening time is specified either
in terms of the period it attains certain compressive strength varying from
2 to 7 N/mm* or in terms of days the actual period depending upon the
cement content, water-cement ratio and the degree of saturation. The
minimum prehardening periods specified in Table 6 refer to the time
required for the concrete to attain a minimum compressive strength of
2 N/mm* and is longer, the lower the grade of concrete.

A-3. EFFECT OF FREEZING ANDTHAWING CYCLES ON

HARDENED CONCRETE

A-3.1 Similar disruptive effects of freezing of pore water make hardened

concrete vulnerable to repeated cycles of freezing and thawing, even
beyond the minimum prehardening period. Damages due to free-zing and
thawing is usually measured in terms of lowering of dynamic modulus of
elasticity of concrete. Using the data on loss of dynamic modulus of
elasticity with the number of freezing and thawing cycles on the one hand
and the rclationship*between compressive strength and dynamic modulus
~of plasticity-on the other, a typical relation between theloss of compressive

19
I8 t 7861 (-Part II ) - 1981

10

0
01 3 6 9 12 IS 18 21 2b

AGE AT WHICH FRESH CONCRETE WAS

FROZEN, HOURS

FIO. 3 EFFECTOF EARLY FREEZINOOF CONCRETE

strength or the dynamic modulus of elasticity of concrete and the number

of freezing and thawing cycles is given in Fig. 4. Entrainment of discret.e
air bubbles in the pore system of the concrete, by means of air-entraining
admixtures, is the best remedy. Such voids do not contain’ water from the
capillary pores due to surface tension effects, but under freezing cdnditions
they behave as expansion chambers to accommodate the ice formed.
Properly air-entrained concrete is satisfactoty even in severe winter
conditions provided other precautions in mixing, placing and curing have
been taken.

20
IS : 7861 (Part II) - 1981

I
i_ NON-AIR ENTRAINED
COIJCRETG
1-_- _._l-,

1 -.
AIR ENTRAINED
CONCRETE

100

0 100 200 300 LOO

NUMBER OF FREEZE-1HAW CYCLES

Fro. 4 EFFECTSOF REPEATED FREEZING AND THAWING ON

HARDENED CONCRETE

21
IS t 7861 ( Part II ) - 1981

APPENDIX B
( Clause 6.2.1 )
SOLVED EXAMPLES OF CALCULATION OF TEMPERATURE
OF CONCRETE AS PLACED, BY USING FORMULA

B-1. Consider a concrete mix having the following ingredients ( per ms )

and the initial temperature shown against each:
Cement 300 kg at 5°C
Water 210 kg at 60°C
Aggregates 1 779 kg at 1°C

The total aggregate contains coarse and fine fractions in the ratio
of2: 1.
Moisture content of the aggregate-damp ( 4 percent infine, 1 per-
cent in coarse )

W”, = 35.58 kg
T wn = 1°C
The temperature of fresh concrete as mixed with these&ingredients
will be:
=_0*22 ( 1 779 x 1 + 300 x 5 ) + 210 x 60 + 35.58
~- x 1
0.22 ( I 779 + 300 ) + 210 + 35.58
= 19°C

22
IS : 7861( Part II ) - 1981

( Continud from page 2 )

Concrete Subcommittee, BDC 2 : 2

Members Representing
SBRI C. R. ALIMCHANDANI Stup Consultants Ltd, Bombay
Snn~ M. C. TANDON ( Alternate)
SHRI D. CEAK~AVA~TY Engineers India Ltd, New Delhi
D E P u T Y DIRECTOB, STANDA~DE Research, Designs & Standards Organization
(B&S) ( Ministry of Railways ), Lucknow
ASSISTANT DIRECTOB, STAN-
DARDS ( M/C ) ( Altnnrfc )
DIRECTOR Engineering Research Laboratories, Hyderabad
DIRECTOR ( C & MDD ) Central Water Commission, New Delhi
DEPUTY DZRECTO~ ( C & MDD ) ( Alfernate )
Sam V. K. GHANEKA~ Stru~ct;;~e~gineering Research Centre ( CSIR ),

SHRI A. S. PRASADA RAO ( Alfnnatc)

Dn R. K. GHOSE Central Road Research Institute (CSIR), New
Delhi
SHRI M. R. CHATTERJEE ;( Alternate )
Sanr V. K. GUPTA Engineer-in-Chief’s Branch, Army Headquartera
SHRI S. V. TI~ARE ( Alternate)
SHRI J. S. HIN~ORANI Associated Consulting Services, Bombay
SHRI A. P. REMEDIOS ( Alfernate )
SHRI P. J. JANUS The Associated Cement Companies Ltd, Bombay
SHRI M. R. VINAYAKA ( Alternate )
SHRI K. K. KHANNA National Buildings Organization, New Delhi
SHRI K. S. SRINIVAEAN ( Alfnnatc)
SH~I K. K. NATdnIaR In personal capacity ( ‘RamanalaJa’ II First Crescent
Park Road, %andhinagar Adyar, Madras )
SERI S. R. PINEBIn Gammon India Ltd, Bombay
Da G. P. SHAH ( Ahrnafc )
SHRI N. S. RAMASWAMY Roads Wing ( Ministry of Shipping and Trans-
port ), New Delhi
Snnr R. P. SIKXA ( Alternate)
SHRI M. P. GAJAPATRY RAO Public Works and Housing Department, Bombay
Dn S. S. REEISI Cen~~rk~eerlding. Research Institute ( CSIR ),

Snnr B. S. GUPTA ( Alternate )

S IJ P E R I N TX N D I N o E~OINEERCentral Public Works Department, New Delhi
< DESIGNS )
EXECIJTI~E ENGINEER ( DESIGNS ) III ( Alternate )
SRRI B. T. UNWALLA The Concrete Association of India, Bombay
SARI Y. K. MEHTA ( Alternate)
DR H. C. VIS~HSVA~AYA Cement Research Institute of India, New Delhi
DR A. K. MULL~CK ( Alternate )

23
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Printed at Dee Kay Printers, New Delhi-110015, India.

AMENDMENT NO. 1 JUNE 1991
‘1O
1S 7861 ( Part 2 ) :1981 CODE OF PMC’I’KX FOR
EXTREME WEATHER CC)NCR~iNG
Part 2 RECOMMENDED PRACTICE FOR COLD WEATHER
CONCRETING

(puge11, clause 62, h iirte ) — Substi~ute the following for the existing

= ratio of Ihe specific brat of cement and aggregate to that of water.’

( p~ge 11, clause 6.3) — Substitute the folluwing for the existing clause:

In practice the mtio of the specific heat of cementand aggregate to that of

shaIl be Mken as 0.22 and Ta = Z’.W~$

2)
Rimed at Dee Kay &inters, Ncw Delhi, India