Title: Freezing and Thawing Durability of Concrete Block Pavers

Author(s): N. Ghafoori and R. P. Mathis

Publication: Symposium Paper

Volume: 145

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 609-622

Keywords: absorption; aggregates; air entrainment; cement content; compressive strength; concrete blocks; density (mass/volume); porosity; freeze-thaw durability; matrix; pavements; paving blocks; permeability; splitting tensile strength; strength; water-cement rat

DOI: 10.14359/4472

Date: 5/1/1994

Abstract:
Current manufacturing practice used in the fabrication of concrete pavers produces a final product that has high density and strength, low permeability, and inadequate pore structure. Although high strength and low permeability should keep the pore structure from becoming critically saturated, lack of sufficient amount of air (entrapped and/or entrained) makes paving blocks potentially vulnerable to freezing and thawing damage. Presents experimental results relevant to the freezing and thawing performance of various concrete paving blocks using a standard accelerated laboratory test, ASTM C 666, Procedure A. The parameters investigated included bulk properties and weight loss. Test results indicate that ASTM C 666 can be successfully utilized to evaluate the relative performance of various block pavers. Weight loss correlates well with the cement content (aggregate-cement ratio) of the matrix. Minimum cement content, instead of minimum strength or maximum absorption, is the most suitable requirement for insuring a reasonable freezing and thawing resistance for concrete block pavers.