Title: Rapid One-Cycle Test for Evaluating Aggregate Performance When Exposed to Freezing and Thawing in Concrete

Author(s): Tom Faulkner and Richard D. Walker

Publication: Symposium Paper

Volume: 100

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 705-722

Keywords: aggregates; concrete durability; evaluation; tests; freeze-thaw durability; General

DOI: 10.14359/3678

Date: 4/1/1987

Abstract:
Previous work demonstrated that carefully monitored length change measurements during the first freeze period of a concrete specimen containing the aggregate being evaluated show a "fingerprint" that can be successfully correlated with the durability factor that is obtained after many later cycles of freezing and thawing. Six different coarse aggregates were used in this study to further substantiate the conclusions of the previous work and to attempt to shorten the test evaluation procedure from 8 to 3 days. The slope of the cumulative length change versus temperature and the length change versus time curve of the first freeze cycle near the freezing point of water was used as the fingerprint. Although attempts to shorten the procedure by using a boiling water accelerated curing procedure were considered successful, it was recommended that other methods of accelerating early strengths be attempted. The tests indicated that the procedure was satisfactory for screening aggregates having a durability factor of less than 30 and greater than 50 percent.