Cold Weather Concrete for Structural Applications

Funding Agency: DOD

Abstract: Provide recommendations for the use of Cold Weather Concrete in structural applications. CRREL has developed CWC technologies for use in the arctic and subarctic regions; however, there is currently limited guidance on structural design based on the compatibility of CWC with reinforcing steel in cold regions. The performance of the CWC and reinforcement individually and their compatibility during service at a wide range of cold temperature exposure are being investigated. The properties of reinforced concrete, such as their stress-strain behaviors, ductility, and rupture conditions under room temperatures, have been well established. However, these properties, as well as properties of steel, can change under very cold weather conditions, possibly affecting the ductility of reinforced concrete structures. These issues raise two crucial questions, (a) how cold can conditions become and still have accepted practices of reinforced concrete apply; and (b) how does the compatibility of CWC and reinforcement change as temperatures become cold. The project is a laboratory study to validate structural design procedures as well as long term performance of the reinforced concrete when using CWC for structural applications. The mechanical properties of CWC and reinforcing bars are investigated under temperatures of 20 to negative 60 °C for the design of Cold Weather Reinforced Concrete.

Link to Publications:

• Technical Brief