RESERVES FOR SCALING UP CONCRETE PRODUCTION IN WINTER CONDITIONS

Abstract

The paper analyses the time-dependent development of winter concreting in terms of annual concrete consumption. The study is based on the classical theory of the S-curve technical system evolution. The study begins with setting the starting point in the development of the theory of winter concreting (1899) and investigating the growth rate of scientific research at its initial stage. Key temporal milestones in the development of winter concreting, associated with fundamental changes in this process (1929 and 1945), are identified. These milestones are obtained during the study of state and other statistical data on the volumes of concrete laid in winter conditions and analyzing the intensity of the intellectual development of winter concreting. The results indicate that the actual development of winter concreting fully complies with the theory of the S-curve evolution of technical systems without stagnation. From 1954 to the present, the limit of concrete consumption in winter has been equal to approximately 34% of the total annual concrete production, indicating that the problem of seasonal prevalence in concrete works has not been resolved. Based on actual data on monthly production of commercial concrete mix in our country, the study has determined the reserves of concrete production in winter, which amounted to 18% of the annual volume. The causes of the annual decline in production in winter conditions have been identified, and measures to enable the application of the existing concrete production reserves have been proposed.