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Department of Civil Engineering, University of Kuwait, P.O. Box: 5969, Safat, 13060, Kuwait.

ABSTRACT

Concreting in very hot weather results in problems that could impair the properties and serviceability of concrete.  The paper presents the results of a comprehensive experimental work aimed at evaluating the effect of ambient air temperatures on the time of initial and final setting of concrete having a wide range of water-cement ratios, and placed in extremely hot climates.  Relationships between the setting behaviour and various influencing factors are investigated.  Remedies intended to eliminate the adverse effects of rapid setting by selecting temperature-dependent optimal dosages of a water-reducing and set-retarding admixture are described.  An expression is proposed for the admixture dosage necessary to prolong the setting time by a specified percentage when a concrete of any water-cement ratio is placed at a high ambient temperature.