Concrete Evaporation Rate (ACI 308)Construction

Fresh Concrete Water Evaporation Rate & Plastic Shrinkage Cracking Risk Estimator (ACI 308)

Calculate surface water evaporation rate from freshly placed concrete (kg/m²/hr & lb/sq ft/hr) using Menzel's Nomograph formula (ACI 308R) based on concrete temperature, ambient air temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed.

Calculated Result

Surface Water Evaporation Rate (kg/m²/hr)

0.22kg/m²/h

Calculator Inputs

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km/h
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Surface Water Evaporation Rate (kg/m²/hr)

0.22kg/m²/h

Evaporation Rate in US Units (lb/sq ft/hr)

0.05 lb/ft²/hr

Water Evaporated per 100 m² Slab per Hour (Liters)

22 L/h

Evaporation Rate vs. Hourly Water Loss Breakdown

Calculated Evaporation Rate
0.22 kg/m²/h(1%)
Hourly Water Loss on 100 m² Slab
22 L/h(99%)

When evaporation rate exceeds 1.0 kg/m²/hr (0.20 lb/ft²/hr), plastic shrinkage cracking is highly probable unless immediate precautionary moisture retention curing measures are taken.

All engineering calculations, structural estimates, and electrical sizing metrics are provided for preliminary estimation only. Always ensure compliance with relevant statutory building codes and occupational safety standards, verified by a certified professional engineer before practical implementation.

Calculation Methodology

ACI 308 Metric Equation: E (kg/m²/hr) = ([T_conc + 18]^2.5 - (RH / 100) * [T_air + 18]^2.5) * (Wind_kmh + 4) * 10^-6.

Frequently Asked Questions

Plastic shrinkage cracking occurs when the surface evaporation rate exceeds the rate at which internal bleed water rises to the slab surface during setting.

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