Cold-Weather Concreting

Prevent early-age freezing, maintain temperature, and achieve required strength—plan protection and monitoring.

Also see: Hot Weather · Curing

Planning & Preheat

Define “cold weather” per spec/ACI; set a protection plan in the pre-pour meeting.
Heat enclosures/ground; remove snow/ice/water; insulate forms and subgrade where needed.
Use heated mix water/aggregates and permitted accelerators.

Placement & Protection

Maintain concrete temperature on delivery and after placement within limits.
Blankets/insulation; avoid rapid cooling or thermal shock—watch thin edges and corners.
Vent heaters; prevent carbonation of fresh surfaces from exhaust gases.

Curing & Monitoring

Continue protection until specified strength/maturity; extend for SCM mixes.
Log temps; adjust blanket thickness and heating for section size and ambient swings.
Coordinate early-load criteria with engineer/owner/WVDOH.

References

ACI 306 — Cold Weather Concreting
ACI 301 — Specifications (cold-weather provisions)
ASTM C1064 (temperature), C31 (making/curing cylinders)

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