Effect of Impact Hot- Dry Weather Conditions on the Properties of High Performance Lightweight Concrete

Abstract

The aim of this investigation is to produce high performance lightweight aggregate concrete in actual hot-dry weather conditions, and then study the combined effect of hot-dry weather conditions on the fresh properties of high performance lightweight aggregate concrete such as workability, initial and final setting time, measuring concrete temperature, and hardened concrete properties (compressive strength, splitting tensile strength and flexural strength, modulus of elasticity). The experimental program including the use of fixed mix proportions and was carried out in a typical Iraqi summer days (under actual conditions) of different times during the day, where the mean maximum temperature in shadow in July and August usually is more than 44° C and relative humidity of about 24 %, the results were compared with the specimens prepared and casted in laboratory and others in shadow site. The results indicate that as temperature rises, and relative humidity falls, the initial and final setting time were reduced, beside that actual drop in slump. The results also show that rising placing temperatures more than allowable concrete temperature that recommended in ACI 305 does not, as a rule, lead to lower strengths. The strength performance of concrete can remain unaffected by higher placing temperatures, or it can even improve over that at lower temperatures. Using pre-soaked lightweight aggregates (pumice) as internal water reservoirs for producing this type of concrete under actual hot-dry weather condition played positive role in improvement of concrete properties by compensate the evaporation of water due to the rising temperature and decreasing relative humidity, and provide additional moisture in concrete for a more effective hydration of the cement.