Title:
Laboratory Duplication of Surface Scaling
Author(s):
Dan F. Adkins
Publication:
Concrete International
Volume:
8
Issue:
2
Appears on pages(s):
35-39
Keywords:
air entrainment; concrete durability; concrete slabs; deicers, deterioration; freeze-thaw durability; salts; saturation; scaling; spalling; water-cement ratio; Materials Research
DOI:
Date:
2/1/1986
Abstract:
This article presents a new laboratory procedure which closely mimics the deterioration of concrete in the field under moderate to severe freeze-thaw conditions. This research investigated the process that occurred and resulted in surface scaling of saturated concrete slabs subjected to complete freezing and partial thawing in such a manner that the bottoms remained frozen while the upper portion of the slabs was thawed and refrozen from the top downwards. Freezing and thawing in this manner is believed to have concentrated ice into lenses below the surface of the concrete and, in turn, caused failure by spalling the surface off in sheets, or in some cases causing popouts. The availability of this procedure should help in resolving the differences between conflicting theories on deterioration and provide insight into the relative importance of the factors and combination of factors which cause scaling.