Heat of
Hydration Testing
At Geotherm, we recognize the impact of ‘heat of hydration’ of high cement content materials (high-strength concrete, cement based thermal grout, etc.) on cable system components such as PVC/HDPE conduits carrying power cables.
Heat of hydration generated during the curing period is a function of Water/Cement ration, quantity and the type of cement used in the mix design, and temperature at the location.
This can be of serious concern when a large volume is placed in a trench around conduits, and if not addressed, it can soften and deform the conduits rendering them useless.
Our systematic approach includes rigorous testing on mix designs to determine the highest temperature rise and the time at which it can occur. By identifying the temperature thresholds of the conduit material and the corresponding timeframe, we evaluate we mitigate potential risks by modifying the mix design.
