A Closer Look at Concrete Cooling Systems: Post-Pour Cooling
The exothermic chemical reaction that takes place during the mixing of concrete can cause temperatures to exceed 200°F. When concrete is poured at such high temperatures this typically results in reduced tensile strength, tendency to crack, and non-uniformity. This means that high pouring temperatures can lead to low quality finished concrete.
SEMCO/SEMCOLD LLC wants to help your business produce the best concrete possible. This means that you have to have a concrete cooling system. There are many different customizable aspects of a concrete cooling system. In order to get the best system for your projects it is important to understand all the various concrete cooling methods. Let’s take a look at one of the final lines of defense for cooling concrete: post-pour cooling.
About Post-Pour Concrete Cooling Systems
Post-pour cooling systems do exactly what the name suggests: these systems are used to cool concrete after it has been poured. Generally containerized water chillers are used to pump cold water through a piping system. When water is released from the containers it is normally at about 40°F. By the time it makes it through the pipes it is at about 50°F.
These chillers are similar to chillers used to cool the mixing water. The difference is that these are a bit more mobile. As the construction progresses, you have to be able to move the chilling containers so the newer parts can be chilled post-pour.
When Post-Pour Cooling Is Necessary
In huge concrete structures such as dams, foundations and some concrete highways concrete has to be cooled after it’s been poured. After the concrete is poured, but before it is completely solid, cooling helps shrink the concrete which reduces the possibilities of cracking. However, while post-pour cooling is useful and important for these very large concrete projects, it is not typically the primary concrete cooling system. For most concrete projects sufficient cooling can be accomplished by cooling mixing water and aggregates prior to pouring. However, in situations where the concrete won’t cool adequately using these traditional measures alone, a post-pour cooling system is extremely useful and important.
Options for Post-Pour Cooling
When you’re looking at putting some sort of post-pour cooling system in place, you have to consider your options.
- Cooling Pipe Size – One thing you have to consider is the cooling pipe size. It is important that you work with a company like SEMCO/SEMCOLD LLC who can help you choose the right pipe. If this system is not put together just right it can reduce the quality of your concrete.
- Spacing – Another option you have to keep a close eye on is the spacing of the pipes. Each project may require different spacing to optimize the post-pour cooling technique.
- Temperatures – The temperature of water that you use can also be an important option. If any of these details are off, it can cause irreparable damage to the concrete.
- High Initial Costs – Another thing to consider as you look at these options is that post-pour cooling has a high initial investment cost.
- High Operating Costs – It also has a high operating cost because the volume of water used is generally quite high.
There are many options that you have to consider in a post-pour cooling system.
SEMCO/SEMCOLD LLC Delivers Quality Post-Pour Cooling Systems
SEMCO/SEMCOLD LLC wants your business to be the most productive that it can be. That means that we want to help you customize the ideal concrete cooling system for your projects. If post-pour cooling is the right choice, SEMCO/SEMCOLD LLC can help you get exactly what you need. Regardless, we will help you determine the best concrete cooling system, whether it involves post cooling or not.
