Title:
Comparative Study of the Air-Void Stability in a Normal and a Condensed Silica Fume Field Concrete
Author(s):
Michel Pigeon, Pierre-Claude Aitcin, and Pierre LaPlante
Publication:
Materials Journal
Volume:
84
Issue:
3
Appears on pages(s):
194-199
Keywords:
air-entrained concretes; cement content; compressive strength; concretes; deicers; field tests; freeze-thaw durability; shrinkage; silica; stability; Materials Research
DOI:
10.14359/1911
Date:
5/1/1987
Abstract:
Very little reliable data exist concerning the durability of field-condensed silica fume (CSF) concrete exposed in service to freezing and thawing in the presence of deicing salts. The data available indicate that CSF concrete without the right bubble-spacing factor performs very poorly, but with the correct spacing factor performs very satisfactorily in similar climatic conditions. Paper reports the findings of a research program studying freeze-thaw durability and the stability of the air-void system in a specific CSF mix from batching through placement. Additional test data show shrinkage and compressive strengths. With proper mixing and placing techniques, the air-void system of CSF concrete was found to be as stable as that of normal concrete. The proper spacing factor was obtained without any problem, and freeze-thaw tests confirmed the durability of the CSF concrete.