cold weather concrete deck

[gopherwood]

I am scheduled to pour a 2500sf concrete deck Thursday, Feb 10. The decking is entirely exposed below. The tempereature will be around 52 for a high. We should have the concrete placed by about 11:00 am. Temperatures are looking to drop to 27 Thursday night, reaching 32 degrees about 1 am.

I have specified 3000 psi concrete with 2% non calcium accelerator. I am planning to put blankets on top of the concrete.

We do this sort of pour on grade without too much concern, but I have never poured a suspended deck at these temperatures.

Should I postpone? If not, should I try to get some heat underneath? Should I increase concrete strength? Any other recommendations? By the way, I am in Simpsonville, SC and my cell number is 864-444-8113.

thanks, jay

 

[SlideRuleEra]

Jay - Suggest that you postpone, if practical. If not, put heaters in the area under the slab. Elevated slabs can lose quite a bit of heat out the bottom, especially if poured onto steel decking. Also 3000 psi sounds marginal for an elevated slab (should be ok if things go well, but no margin for error if cylinder tests fall short of 3000 psi). I live near Charleston and am quite familiar with the weather near Greenville. This time of year, you should have better temperatures very soon.

Best Wishes

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