Title: Calorimetry Performed On-Site: Methods and Uses

Author(s): K.A. Riding, J.L. Poole, M.C.G. Juenger, A.K. Schindler, and K.J. Folliard

Publication: Symposium Paper

Volume: 241

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 25-38

Keywords: calorimetry; concrete heat development; temperature prediction.

DOI: 10.14359/18649

Date: 4/1/2007

Abstract:
An accurate and practical method of determining the heat development of concrete mixtures under real mixing, cooling, hauling, placement, and curing conditions would greatly benefit contractors and engineers in helping predict in-place concrete member temperatures. Semi-adiabatic calorimetry was performed at several construction sites in temperature controlled rooms using concrete sampled from concrete placements. Semi-adiabatic calorimetry was also performed for comparison with concrete made under laboratory conditions from materials sampled at the respective batch plants. An energy balance-based finite difference method is presented for calculating the concrete non-linear heat generation using the measured heat of hydration determined from semi-adiabatic calorimetry. This method was used in a program which allows the direct input of values from semi-adiabatic calorimetry testing and estimates the development of in-place temperatures in mass concrete members of various geometries. Estimated concrete member temperatures are compared to the values measured on-site. Best practice suggestions are also given for performing semi-adiabatic calorimetry using concrete sampled on-site.