Title:
Influence of Organic Admixtures and Testing Method on Freeze-Thaw Resistance of Concrete
Author(s):
Juhan Aavik and Satish Chandra
Publication:
Materials Journal
Volume:
92
Issue:
1
Appears on pages(s):
10-14
Keywords:
air-entraining agents; concretes; deicers; deterioration; freeze-thaw resistance; osmotic pressure; plastics, polymers and resins; pore water pressure; Materials Research
DOI:
10.14359/1172
Date:
1/1/1995
Abstract:
One of the durability properties of concern in many countries is freeze-thaw resistance. Freeze-thaw resistance is tested using different methods. The results vary with the test method used; for example, concrete may fail after 20 cycles by one test method but show good resistance even after 300 cycles in another test. This creates confusion, especially when reading the technical reports, as there is no possibility of translating the results obtained from one method to the other. With this in mind, freeze-thaw resistance was tested on the same concrete using four methods; 1) ASTM 666 B-84, freezing in air and thawing in water; 2) freezing and thawing in 3 percent NaCl solution; 3) freezing and thawing in 3 percent CaCl 2 solution; and 4) freezing in saturated NaCl solution and thawing in water. This has created an opportunity to compare different test methods. In the second series, concrete was made with different organic admixtures and a freeze-thaw resistance test was performed using the previously mentioned methods. It was observed that, independent of the test method used, freeze-thaw resistance increased with the addition of admixtures. In particular, polymer addition substantially improved freeze-thaw resistance.