Freeze-thaw durability of microwave cured air-entrained concrete

Journal Article · Sat Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1997 · Cement and Concrete Research

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/S0008-8846(97)00014-8· OSTI ID:511889

Pheeraphan, T; Leung, C K.Y. ^[1]

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1. Massachusetts Inst. of Tech., Cambridge, MA (United States). Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering

The strength development of concrete can be greatly accelerated by curing with microwave energy. Microwave curing can therefore be beneficial to construction operations such as concrete precasting and repair. To provide freeze-thaw durability for infrastructure applications, air entrainment has to be introduced. In this investigation, the freeze-thaw resistance of microwave cured air-entrained concrete is measured, and compared to that of air-entrained concrete under normal curing. Their compressive strength at 14 days and air-void characteristics are also measured and compared. The test results indicate that microwave curing can impair the freeze-thaw durability of high w/c concrete but not for low w/c concrete. Also, under microwave curing, the decrease in strength due to air entrainment becomes more significant. Based on these observations, it is recommended that for microwave cured air-entrained concrete, a low w/c ratio should be employed.

• OSTI ID: 511889
• Journal Information: Cement and Concrete Research, Journal Name: Cement and Concrete Research Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 27; ISSN 0008-8846; ISSN CCNRAI
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
AIR
COMPRESSION STRENGTH
CONCRETES
CURING
FREEZE PROTECTION
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
MICROWAVE RADIATION
POROSITY
WATER REMOVAL
WEATHERING