Optimized thermal regime modeling and experimental validation of electric heating in winter concreting

Abstract This paper investigates the thermal performance and early-age strength development of concrete cured using embedded electric heating wires (SHWPI – steel heating wire with polyethylene insulation) under winter conditions. A full-scale monolithic reinforced concrete slab was divided into four thermal zones for real-time monitoring using temperature sensors and ultrasonic testing over a 72-hour period. Experimental results were compared with thermal simulations conducted using the ELCUT software (WinConcrete module). The central zone reached a peak temperature of 35.6°C and achieved over 60% of the design strength within 48 hours, while edge zones attained only 52–56%. Actual temperature values were on average 12% lower than predicted, and strength deviations ranged from 8% to 13%. Based on this discrepancy, a correction factor of 0.08–0.13 is proposed to improve strength forecasting accuracy. The study highlights the critical role of temperature uniformity during the curing phase and demonstrates the value of integrating numerical modeling with real-time field monitoring. The findings are particularly relevant for optimizing electric curing strategies in cold climates, especially in regions with severe winters such as East Kazakhstan.