Volume

Working procedure
EXECUTION OF
CONSTRUCTION WORKS
DURING COLD WEATHER

MC-EXE-00
Edition 00 / 2014
Revision 0
Page 1 .

1. PURPOSE
The present WP aims the concrete execution that is to be done in cold
weather conditions in terms of quality insurance, compliance with
technological steps, the working mode and records concerning the
confirmation and attestation works quality.
2. FIELD OF APPLICATION
The procedure is applied at execution of construction works to be
scheduled for execution in specific climatic conditions during cold weather
period to the extent to which they comply with the legal provisions and
are ensured conditions which determine their quality.
3. DEFINITION
Cold day

The Day when the measured temperature at 7.00 am

outdoors in the shade, at a height of 2 m from the ground
and at a distance of at least 5 m from any building is less
than 5 C. The period of November 15 to 15 March is
conventionally considered a cold weather period.

4. REFERENCE DOCUMENTS
C16-84
Achievement during cold weather of construction
works and related facilities.
U6-78
Normative regarding work of construction equipment
during cold weather.
C16-84
Normative for execution of construction works during
cold weather.
NE 012-2007
CODE OF PRACTICE FOR EXECUTION OF CONCRETE,
REINFORCED CONCRETE AND PRESTRESSED
CONCRETE WORKS Producing concrete
NE
012/2
- CODE OF PRACTICE FOR EXECUTION OF CONCRETE,
REINFORCED CONCRETE AND PRESTRESSED
2010
CONCRETE WORKS Concrete works execution
5. PREREQUISITES
5.1.
At each site shall be held in a strict manner, records of works
executed in cold weather while specifically pursuing the achievement of
their quality.

Quality Assurance Manual

Department of Construction

Volume
Working procedure
EXECUTION OF
CONSTRUCTION WORKS
DURING COLD WEATHER

MC-EXE-00
Edition 00 / 2014
Revision 0
Page 2 .

5.2.
In order to achieve the works during cold weather there must be
taken in time a number of technical and organizational measures that
relate to the following key issues:
- General site arrangements, and measures for ensuring quality of
works;
- Special site constructions (culverts, bridge crossings, fixated ladders,
platforms, etc.);
- Storage and preservation of materials;
- Machinery and means of transport;
- Technological and commercial heating installations;
- Records of meteorological data required for the site.
5.3.
For concrete works there shall be used only provided materials in
the project (concrete, reinforcements, and embedded parts) which
correspond in terms of quality with the standards in force, or possess
certificates of approval.
5.4.
Concrete work is performed by workers of various specialties as:
carpenters, blacksmiths benders, locksmiths, welders, who must have
knowledge and skills prescribed in the applicable pricing guides,
organized in working teams led by a foreman.
5.5.
There will be provided measures to meet cold weather conditions of
exploitation of the equipment in compliance with the provisions of the
Normative U6-78.
6. PREVENTIVE MEASURES
6.1.
Execution personnel training on the NTS and PSI line according to
the Republican Norms in force and completing and signing the individual
training records.
6.2.
The existence and use of specific equipment for worker safety:
overalls, helmet, gloves, safety belts.
7. PROCEDURE
7.1. Preparing the execution of works
Is done in compliance with the provisions of technological record and
sheet of the work. The works organisation will be done according to the
project provisions.
7.2.1 Completion of works
Quality assurance of concrete:

Quality Assurance Manual

Department of Construction

Volume
Working procedure
EXECUTION OF
CONSTRUCTION WORKS
DURING COLD WEATHER

MC-EXE-00
Edition 00 / 2014
Revision 0
Page 3 .

Quality of concrete works executed during cold weather is

ensured if the following conditions are met:
- The concrete is prepared with defrosted units, having
minimum temperature +5 C.
- The temperature of the concrete, after putting it in the work,
does not drop below its freezing temperature before a critical
hardening level goes off, variably, depending on the ratio A / C
and expressed as a percentage of concrete mark.
The critical hardening level results from the following table.
The hardening critical levels in% of the concrete mark A/C.
Ratio A/C
0.40
0.50
0.60
0.70
Critical level of input (%)
of the concrete mark
18.00
25.00
31.00
36.00
Freezing temperature of the concrete is considered the value of
0 C unless there are used additives that lower the
temperature to the specified value resulting from their usage
instructions.
The critical level of maturation is the minimum degree of
maturation at the normal temperature of 20 degrees Celsius
required to be obtained before freezing of concrete so that its
final resistances not be adversely affected.
7.2.2 Formwork
- The types of used formwork and procedures for protecting of these
with insulating materials must be explained in technological records
of works of concrete during cold weather.
- At execution the formworks should be cleaned of snow and ice by
mechanical means and finally, if possible by means of a jet of hot air.
- Formwork must have sealed joints between panels and their inner
face being smeared with substances that facilitate demolding,
applied only after cleaning and drying the surface.
- Special attention will be given to leaning of supporting formwork
elements, by taking the appropriate measures depending on the
behaviour of the land to freezing and namely:
- For lands stable to freezing the abutting will be done on the soles
placed on the ground levelled and cleaned in advance of snow, ice
and vegetation layer.

Quality Assurance Manual

Department of Construction

Volume
Working procedure
EXECUTION OF
CONSTRUCTION WORKS
DURING COLD WEATHER

MC-EXE-00
Edition 00 / 2014
Revision 0
Page 4 .

For unstable lands to freezing, as well as in the fillings case, the pillar
will be placed upon the beams with a large bearing surface buried
beneath the frost depth, on the existing foundations or on piles.
7.2.3 Reinforcements
- Reinforcements shall be stored on dry land, furnished with
compacted gravel platforms.
- Bars covered with ice will be cleaned before cutting and shaping, by
collision by scratching with appropriate tools or hot air to melt the ice
and drying the water as a result of melting. It is not recommended to
melt the ice with hot water unless there is a certainty that it will not
freeze back until the concrete is poured; is prohibited defrosting with
fire.
- Shaping the reinforcements shall be made only at positive
temperatures, using when appropriate heated spaces in production
bases.
-

7.2.4 Preparation of concrete

- At the preparation concrete put in work during cold weather, there
shall be used cements recommended in NE-012-99.
- Also shall also be used whenever it is possible additive to improve
the behaviour of concrete at frost.
- In determining the composition of the concrete there shall be used a
small amount of water for this purpose shall be used plasticizer
additives of coaching type (Disan) or super plasticizers (Flubet) etc.
And it will cut correspondingly the critical degree of maturation Mk to
be correlated the effective ratio A / C.
- There shall be used additives, plasticizers, water reducers, outlet
accelerators etc. with technical agreements, guarantees through
quality certificates, appropriate preliminary tests according the
manufacturers instructions for use.
7.2.5 Haulage of concrete
- When transporting concrete measures shall be taken to limit heat
loss to a minimum by:
1. Use of rapid transportation and, if necessary, properly thermally
insulated;
2. Auto mixers will be provided with a lid: dump trucks and similar
means will have thermally insulated walls and will be covered;

Quality Assurance Manual

Department of Construction

Volume
Working procedure
EXECUTION OF
CONSTRUCTION WORKS
DURING COLD WEATHER

b)

c)

Edition 00 / 2014
Revision 0
Page 5 .

3. Avoidance of long transportation distances of parking on the

route and transhipment of the concrete;
4. Checking and cleaning means of transport used for ice and frozen
debris transportation, preferably using discharge of hot water;
When transporting the concrete to the working place, there shall be
taken measures to limit heat loss through:
1. Truck bucket protection through their thermal isolation and
coverage while waiting, Polyethylene sheet or tarpaulin;
2. Minimizing the waiting time inside the truck buckets between
when downloading from means of transport and the lifting of the
object.

7.2.6
a)

MC-EXE-00

Casting the concrete and its protection

During concrete casting there shall be respected the provisions
in the normative C 16-84 Appendix A, regarding the level of
assurance. For massive concretes, the following shall be taken
into account:
In the period when there is danger of freezing, starting concreting of
a new slide is allowed only at outside air temperatures over + 5 C:
work can start at temperatures below 5 C when the temperature is
positive and tends to increase;
Concrete slides that are being concreted, captured in the moment
when the exterior air temperature drops, will be continued until at
-10 C, with appropriate measures regarding temperature and
protection of concrete, air temperatures below -100C the concreting
blade will be interrupted and shall be created a work joint.
Starting or resumption of any interrupted concrete works due to
frost and kept into this estate during the thaw period is allowed
only after proper preparation of the joint of casting interruption
according to NE 012-99. Based on a report of quality reception.
Protection of the concrete after putting it to work must be done
in a short time and in accordance with provided solutions for
ensuring achievement of the designed thermal regime
There will be used insulated casings, insulating mats, etc.,
always covered with plastic sheets or tarpaulins made of

Quality Assurance Manual

Department of Construction

Volume
Working procedure
EXECUTION OF
CONSTRUCTION WORKS
DURING COLD WEATHER

MC-EXE-00
Edition 00 / 2014
Revision 0
Page 6 .

waterproof material which will allow thermal insulation and will

be sealed, and a stationary air layer (unvented) 3 ... 5 cm
thickness.
d)
In workplaces where the concrete is put to work will be
mandatory displayed :
- Temperature of the concrete at delivery;
- Temperature of the concrete at the end of commissioning work;
- The insurance for the period of maturation;
- How to protect the concrete after casting;
- Duration of the project to achieve the critical level of maturity;
- Phases and the thermal regime characteristics of the heat after casting
(when appropriate).

a)

b)

7.2.7 Removal of the formwork of construction concrete elements cast in

cold weather:
Removal of the formwork can only be made if the conditions
stated in the provisions of the NE 012-99 which impose for
concrete hardening resistances or minimum levels expressed
in percent, of concrete brand. Fulfilment of the conditions of
formwork removal can be controlled in two ways:
- Through concrete test specimens kept in the same conditions of
temperature control as the element of construction and testing at
compression as provided in the NE 012-99
- By evaluating the effective maturity of concrete, equivalent
comparison or at the normal temperature of + 20 C of maturation
MB, reflecting the level of hardening B, provided in the NE 012-99.
Details of the formwork removal control condition through the
assessment of the maturity grade is given in Annex B of norm C 1684.
Fulfilment of the conditions of achieving critical level of
maturation ensure in general and the formwork removal
condition of vertical sides and not the horizontal sides:
For removal of the formwork of horizontal sides there shall
be further tracked the evolution of the degree of
maturation or hardening level after exceeding the critical

Quality Assurance Manual

Department of Construction

Volume
Working procedure
EXECUTION OF
CONSTRUCTION WORKS
DURING COLD WEATHER

MC-EXE-00
Edition 00 / 2014
Revision 0
Page 7 .

point, and measures of preventing concrete freezing will no

longer be imposed.
Additional measures that would be taken in this case would
result in only in shortening of the formwork removal term.
Before the formwork removal there shall be carefully
examined the concrete quality on the sides of the poured
element, thus being performed some trials of partial
formwork removals.
8

ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA - WORK AND QUALITY CONTROL

8.1
At the execution in cold weather of concretes of any kind is necessary
to be performed a permanent and extremely demanding control from the
technical management of the execution unit and CTC authorities at all
levels as well as the beneficiary or designer whenever it is necessary.
8.2When conducting preliminary receptions of any concrete works, executed
in cold weather, quality checks should be done with an increased exigency.
- Control over concrete specific to cold weather period will cover:
- Compliance during the execution of thermal regimes and
measures that condition their implementation, displayed at
workplaces;
- Measuring the temperature of the outside air and concrete.
- Pursuing the achieving of the critical degree of MK maturation
and, if necessary of the degree of maturity for demolding
respectively of critical levels of reinforcement and demolding.
8.3 Concrete temperatures will be measured in the most exposed parts to
freezing, with a minimum frequency of 2...3 records in 24 hours and will
be registered in the mandatory accounting documents of works
executed during cold weather along with the exterior air temperature.
Temperature measurement is made for all concrete construction
elements until achievement of critical level of MK maturation or critical
level of hardening, and for the from cast elements on horizontal sides,
and further until the achievement of the degree of maturity MB
respectively the hardening level B (NE 012-99).
Through measuring the temperature of the concrete shall be used
industrial thermometers, or to the extent possible temperature loggers.

Quality Assurance Manual

Department of Construction

Volume
Working procedure
EXECUTION OF
CONSTRUCTION WORKS
DURING COLD WEATHER

MC-EXE-00
Edition 00 / 2014
Revision 0
Page 8 .

Thermometers without outer coverings of grid or protective mesh will

be inserted into cylindrical holes made at concreting in the positions
stipulated in the project.
After inserting the thermometer into the hole, it will be sealed at the top
with oakum inserted into the space between thermometer and the walls
of the hole so as not to allow cool air to enter.
The thermometer will be maintained in this situation at least 5 min.
before performing the recording. There will be used multiple
thermometers to measure the temperature of the concrete at several
points simultaneously.
Tracking the achievement over time of the degree of maturation until
the critical level (MK), or the one needed for formwork dismantling (MB)
is performed as described in Annex B of the Normative C 16-84 and NE
012-99.
8.4 Quality control of concretes poured in cold weather will be made according
to the provisions from NE 012-99. If there are foreseen non-destructive tests,
these shall be performed on frozen concretes.
9 RESPONSIBILITIES
9.1 Site manager
Is required to ensure the execution documentation, materials, necessary
SDV for the respective work.
9.2 Head of the workplace
Trains, guides, checks and responds of the compliance by the execution
staff with the documentation provisions and present instruction.
9.3 Execution staf
Responsible for correct performance of operations, proper application in
production of technical documentation provisions and the present
procedure.
9.4 Control of the working point
Performs preventive and permanent control, certifies and is responsible
for the proper execution of the work.

10

REPORTS AND REGISTRATIONS

- Quality control plan of executed works developed by the designer;
- Quality Plan developed by the manufacturer;

Quality Assurance Manual

Department of Construction

Volume
Working procedure
EXECUTION OF
CONSTRUCTION WORKS
DURING COLD WEATHER

MC-EXE-00
Edition 00 / 2014
Revision 0
Page 9 .

Minutes of the reception quality;

Recipe for preparation of concrete;
Register for concrete samples taken at the LPO or concreting
station;
Bulletin on the results of concrete samples taken from LPO;
Check for concrete delivery;
Bulletin of testing the strength of concrete with US;
Bordereau for submitting evidence;
Sole bulletin for the work;
Register of casted concretes.

Quality Assurance Manual

Department of Construction