An Overview of Smart Materials and Technologies for Concrete Construction in Cold Weather
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Challenges in Cold Weather Concrete Construction
2.1. Setting and Curing
2.1.1. Setting
2.1.2. Curing
2.1.3. Strategies to Prevent Setting and Curing Challenges
2.2. Strength Development
2.2.1. Factors Affecting the Strength Development in Cold Weather
2.2.2. Consequences of Slow Strength Development
2.2.3. Measures to Mitigate Slow Strength Development
2.3. Freezing of Concrete
2.3.1. Frost Damage
2.3.2. Early Freezing
2.3.3. Freezing and Thawing
2.3.4. Preventive Measures
2.4. Weather-Related Challenges in Construction
2.4.1. Challenges for Personnel
2.4.2. Challenges for Equipment and Machinery
2.4.3. Challenges for Site Management
2.4.4. Additional Weather-Related Challenges
3. Materials, Technologies, and Strategies for Cold Weather
3.1. Advanced Concrete Mix Designs
3.2. Cold Weather Concreting Techniques
3.3. Protective Measures and Insulation
3.4. Advanced Monitoring and Quality Control
3.5. Prefabrication and Modular Construction
4. Emerging Materials, Technologies, and Strategies
4.1. Smart Concrete Materials and Their Production
4.2. Advanced Manufacturing and Construction Technologies
4.3. Integrated Design and Optimization Technologies
4.4. Sustainability and Resilience in Cold Weather Concrete Construction
5. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Physical Health Challenge | Cause | Symptoms |
---|---|---|
Numbness in exposed body parts | Exposed extremities in cold | Increased nerve pain |
Increase in number of injuries | Continuous exertion in cold weather | Tiredness |
Hobbling effect and uneasiness | Tight thermal clothing | Reduced ability to move |
Physical fatigue | Performing for longer duration in cold weather | Tiredness |
Hypothermia | Excessive loss of heat | Weak pulse, lack of consciousness |
Vasoconstriction of blood vessels | Prolonged exposure to cold | Increase in blood pressure |
Frostbite | Freezing of tissues | Long-term numbness in affected region |
Necrosis | Lack of blood supply to tissue | Malfunctioning of cells |
Upper and lower respiratory issues | Inhaling cold, dry air | Shortness of breath |
Musculoskeletal disorders such as wrist, neck, back and overall body pain and inflammation | Increased muscular load | Carpal tunnel syndrome |
Increase in number of accidents caused by slips and falls | Icy and slippery surfaces in workplace | Major and minor injuries in body parts |
Trench foot | Performing activities in cold water | Blisters, blotchy skin |
Increase in onset of fatigue due to personal protective clothing | Increase in metabolic energy | Tiredness, weakness in muscles |
Reduced dexterity | Impaired response from hand receptors | Inability to handle tools and equipment |
Type of Control | Strategies for Cold Weather Conditions |
---|---|
Engineering control | Encourage the use of smart clothing inserted with infrared, humidity, and temperature sensors |
Wear a Peltier-embedded cooling jacket | |
Heat exchange masks | |
Protective coverings and insulation | |
Anti-slip shoes | |
Provide workers with infrared heaters | |
Provide warming facilities/local shelters with heating mechanisms | |
Administrative control | Cold protection plan and cold management |
Place warning signs on slippery surfaces | |
Personal protective equipment (PPE) control | Ensure personal protective clothing (PPC) fits properly |
Drainage and Waterproofing | |
---|---|
Drainage | Ensuring proper drainage around the concrete structure can help prevent the accumulation of water and reduce the risk of freeze–thaw cycles [151]. Effective drainage systems, such as well-designed slopes, drains, and gutters, can help minimize water ingress and mitigate the risk of frost damage and early freezing [152]. |
Waterproofing and protective coatings | Applying waterproofing membranes [153] or protective coatings [154] to the concrete surface can help prevent water absorption and reduce the risk of frost damage, early freezing, and freeze–thaw cycles. These treatments can improve the concrete’s resistance to moisture ingress [155] and thereby enhance its overall durability. |
Adjusting the Mix Design | |
---|---|
Water–cement ratio | Controlling the water–cement ratio is crucial to producing a dense and durable concrete mix with low permeability, reducing the risk of frost damage and freeze–thaw cycles [161]. A lower water–cement ratio reduces the porosity of the concrete, making it more resistant to water ingress and freezing [162]. |
Air entrainment | Incorporating air-entraining admixtures into the concrete mix creates small, evenly distributed air voids within the concrete [163]. These air voids provide space for the expansion of freezing water, reducing internal pressure and preventing frost damage, early freezing, and freeze–thaw deterioration [164]. |
Supplementary Cementitious Materials (SCMs) | The use of SCMs, such as fly ash, slag, or silica fume, can improve the concrete’s resistance to freezing and thawing cycles by increasing the water–binder ratio [165]. SCMs can thereby reduce the permeability of concrete and enhance its durability, making it less susceptible to frost damage and early freezing [166]. |
Cold Weather Concreting Practices | |
---|---|
Preheated ingredients | Preheating the concrete ingredients, such as aggregates and water, can help maintain the concrete’s temperature during placement and reduce the risk of early freezing [180]. This practice ensures the proper setting and curing of the concrete in cold weather conditions [181]. The preheating technique can be useful in extreme cold conditions or when using mass concrete. |
Accelerating admixtures | Chemical additives and accelerating admixtures can help improve the performance of concrete in cold weather by reducing setting time and shrinkage [182], promoting faster strength development, and enhancing the durability [183,184]. Non-chloride accelerators, such as calcium nitrate or calcium formate, can help speed up the setting and strength development of concrete in cold weather without the risk of corrosion associated with chloride-based accelerators [185]. |
Temperature monitoring and control | Monitoring and controlling the concrete temperature during placement and curing is critical in preventing early freezing and frost damage. Maintaining the concrete temperature within certain limits, typically between 5 and 35 °C, is recommended for proper curing and strength development [186]. Advanced temperature monitoring systems, such as wireless sensors or thermocouples, can provide real-time information on concrete temperature during placement and curing, hel** the concrete to maintain the necessary temperature for optimal curing and strength development [187]. |
Protection and Insulation | |
---|---|
Insulating blankets or covers | Providing adequate insulation for the concrete during setting and curing can help maintain the necessary temperature and moisture levels for optimal curing [189]. Insulating blankets or covers can protect the concrete from freezing temperatures, preventing early freezing and thereby preventing frost damage [188]. |
Heated enclosures | In very low, freezing temperatures, enclosures can be used to provide a controlled environment for concrete placement and curing [190]. The enclosures are typically equipped with heating systems, such as propane or electric heaters [191]. These enclosures can thereby maintain the temperature and humidity required for proper curing, minimizing the risk of frost-related problems. |
Insulated concrete forms | Insulated formwork systems, such as insulated concrete forms (ICFs) or insulated sandwich panels, can provide a protective thermal barrier for concrete during placement and curing [192]. These systems can help maintain the necessary temperature for proper curing and strength development while also improving the energy efficiency of the finished structure. |
Smart Concrete Materials and Production Technologies | |
---|---|
Self-healing concrete | Self-healing concrete is an innovative type of building material that can autonomously repair cracks and damage, thereby improving the durability and longevity of concrete structures [207]. This technology typically relies on the use of bacteria or microcapsules containing healing agents, which are activated when cracks form, releasing the healing agent and promoting the formation of new concrete material [208]. |
Phase change materials | Phase change materials (PCMs) involve the incorporation of phase transitioning materials into concrete mixes, which can help improve the thermal performance of concrete structures in cold weather [209]. PCMs can store and release thermal energy as they undergo phase transitions, effectively acting as thermal batteries that help regulate the temperature of concrete structures and reduce the risk of frost damage or freeze–thaw deterioration [64]. |
Carbon capture, utilization, and storage technologies | Carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies offer the potential to reduce the environmental impact of concrete production and use by capturing carbon dioxide emissions and incorporating them into concrete materials [210]. These technologies can help create more sustainable concrete materials and construction practices [211]. |
Advanced Manufacturing and Construction Technologies for Concrete | |
---|---|
3D printing | 3D printing technology offers the potential to revolutionize the production of concrete elements and structures [216]. By enabling precise and automated fabrication of complex or custom-designed components, 3D printing provides opportunities to reduce labor costs, minimize material waste, and improve the overall quality and performance of concrete structures [217]. |
Robotic construction | The use of robotic systems in the construction industry can help improve efficiency, reduce labor costs, and enhance quality and performance [218]. Robotic systems can be used for a range of construction tasks, such as concrete placement [219], reinforcement installation [220], and formwork assembly [221], hel** to streamline construction processes and ensure consistent quality and performance. |
Modular and prefabricated construction | Modular and prefabricated construction techniques involve the off-site production and assembly of concrete components [222]. These production techniques can help improve the efficiency and performance of concrete construction in low temperature environments [223]. By applying modular or prefabrication technologies, the construction industry can reduce on-site labor requirements, minimize weather-related delays, and ensure consistent quality and performance [224]. |
Integrated Design and Optimization Technologies | |
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Building information modeling | Building information modeling (BIM) is a digital representation of the physical and functional characteristics of a building or infrastructure, enabling the integration of design, construction, and management processes [229]. BIM can help improve the efficiency, performance, and sustainability of concrete construction in cold weather by facilitating better coordination and communication among project stakeholders [227], optimizing material selection and construction techniques [229], and predicting potential issues related to frost damage, freeze–thaw cycles, or other cold weather-related challenges [230]. |
Artificial intelligence and machine learning | Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technologies offer significant potential for improving the efficiency, performance, and durability of concrete construction and structures [231]. These technologies can help to optimize concrete mix designs [232], predict the performance of concrete materials and structures under various environmental conditions [233], and develop more efficient construction processes and techniques [234]. |
Digital twins | The digital twin technology involves the creation of a virtual replica of a physical asset or system [235], allowing for real-time monitoring, analysis, and optimization of its performance [236]. Digital twins can be used to model and predict the behavior of concrete structures in cold weather environments, enabling the use and development of more resilient and efficient construction techniques and materials [237]. |
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Nilimaa, J.; Zhaka, V. An Overview of Smart Materials and Technologies for Concrete Construction in Cold Weather. Eng 2023, 4, 1550-1580. https://doi.org/10.3390/eng4020089
Nilimaa J, Zhaka V. An Overview of Smart Materials and Technologies for Concrete Construction in Cold Weather. Eng. 2023; 4(2):1550-1580. https://doi.org/10.3390/eng4020089
Chicago/Turabian StyleNilimaa, Jonny, and Vasiola Zhaka. 2023. "An Overview of Smart Materials and Technologies for Concrete Construction in Cold Weather" Eng 4, no. 2: 1550-1580. https://doi.org/10.3390/eng4020089