[Greenbuilding] concrete & frost

[LarenCorie]

From: "Robert Tom" <ArchiLogic at yahoo.ca>

> The admixture that is typically used to make concrete
> workable at  below-freezing temperatures is calcium chloride
> -- a salt.

> The salt, as in the oceans, simply lowers the freezing point
> slightly( only a couple or few  degrees F)

Actually, it does quite a bit more than simply lowering the
freezing point.   When calcium chloride is mixed with water
it creates a powerful exothermic reaction, that is just about
hot enough to burn your hand.  You might be able to cook
an egg with it.  Get a bottle of calcium chloride pellets and
pour water into them.    You will find that it is hard to hold.
It will continue to create and let off a great deal of heat for
many hours. I carry a two liter (isn't this odd, Rob is using
°F, and I am using metric ;O) bottle of calcium chloride in
my van, in the winter, as an emergency heater.  Trickle a
little water into the bottle, inside your coat, and it will
keep you alive for days.

-Laren Corie-
Natural Solar Building Designs, Since 1975
www.LarenCorie.com

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