Seasons of Setting: Adapting Concrete Work to Salt Lake City’s Climate

While climate change is a global issue, many of its impacts are felt at a local community level. For example, high air temperatures can lead to heat related illnesses and increased demand on the energy grid for cooling.

Clothes and nature can hint at the season—leaves crunching underfoot or a light cotton shirt might indicate spring; bitter cold, ice and snow suggest winter.

Spring

A hot summer day in Salt Lake City might feel like it’s coming from every direction, but the heat doesn’t just come from direct sunlight. Commercial concrete needs to set at a certain temperature to have its best performance, and long term durability and resistance to deicing chemicals is enhanced when it is cured properly.

During the summer, workers must work fast to beat the heat and get the concrete to set before it evaporates too much. Exceeding the maximum amount of mixing water for a specific concrete mixture decreases its strength and other properties. Dosages of water-reducing and set-retarding admixtures also need to increase during high temperatures.

This summer, Salt Lake City residents will be able to look forward to a cooler, more comfortable climate thanks to an effort led by local scientists, school teachers, and 42 volunteer data collectors. The team will report on the urban heat island effect in Salt Lake City and around the country as part of a NOAA-funded program called CAPA Heat Watch.

Summer

A season is a division of the year based on weather, ecology, and daylight hours. Various cultures have different number of seasons, but all are caused by the tilt of Earth’s orbit around the Sun and variations in sunlight on the planet.

Summer is the warmest season of the year. It is defined as the period from the vernal, or spring, equinox (day and night are equal length) until the autumnal, or fall, equinox, typically on September 22 or 23.

Hot weather can make concrete work difficult, causing it to set faster. This reduces the strength of the concrete and makes it more prone to cracking. A cracked foundation slab is dangerous to anyone walking on it, and repairing it quickly prevents further damage. It’s a good time to call Lift-Up, which offers professional concrete lifting services for residential customers. Call us today to learn more about our services. We serve clients throughout the Salt Lake City metro area.

Fall

The hottest season of the year in Salt Lake City usually begins around September. During this time, the concrete work crews have to be especially vigilant. The heat can drastically reduce the set time for concrete, and if it gets too dry, a mishap could occur. It is also important to avoid working in areas with a lot of shade and keep the concrete wet as much as possible.

The weather in the fall can be quite beautiful, though. Leaves change color in the autumn, and the air is drier than in summer.

As with all seasons, it is important to take into account where your story takes place when writing about them. A winter in Finland is going to feel different than a winter in Aberdeen, and that difference will have a major impact on the tone of your story. This is particularly true for worldbuilding, where it is essential to think about the seasons across the entire globe.

Winter

In the winter, salt and ice can cause concrete to crack over time. It’s important for contractors to take the necessary steps to keep their customers’ concrete in good condition.

In addition, colder temperatures require different oil in construction equipment that can withstand the extremes. It also takes longer for the concrete to set when it’s colder, so contractors need to work more slowly and carefully.

Moreover, snow can obscure the asphalt, making it hard to see traffic signals. This makes it important for drivers to use caution and be aware of their surroundings. Finally, air pollution can be a serious problem for the city, especially in winter when temperature inversions trap harmful pollutants. These issues are particularly dangerous for children, seniors and those suffering from heart or lung conditions. Fossil fuel emissions are responsible for most of the harmful gases that contribute to air pollution in the city.