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THE BRIEFING
Concrete
Concrete Control MIDDLE EAST
Jose Vera-Agullo, ACCIONA R&D Concrete Manager, shares his insights on how to keep concrete cool while working in hightemperature areas July 2022 | MEConstructionNews.com
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uilding with concrete in very hot places, such as the Middle East, poses specific challenges. At high temperatures, the water in the concrete mix evaporates quickly, and this can affect the workability and strength once it sets. A second risk in high temperatures concerns the chemical reaction that takes place once cement is mixed with sand, gravel, and water to form concrete. This chemical reaction produces heat, and if the temperature of the mix rises above 70ºC and/or if the temperature difference between the concrete structure core
and the surface goes above 20ºC, cracks could arise as the concrete sets, which weakens the resulting structure. As a result, the temperature of the concrete mix must be carefully controlled throughout the building process and while it sets and cures to ensure the resulting structure is sound. At ACCIONA, our global project teams work closely with the company’s concrete specialists at the Technical Services Department in Madrid to optimise the temperature and hydration of the concrete mix and ensure that it meets the project’s technical requirements, including strength and
40˚C
When ambient temperatures soar above 40ºC, experts recommend halting work
