Freeze-thaw durability of concrete: Ice formation process in pores

Journal Article · Tue Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1998 · Cement and Concrete Research

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/S0008-8846(98)00103-3· OSTI ID:665157

Cai, H; Liu, X ^[1]

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1. Tsinghua Univ., Beijing (China). Civil Engineering Dept.

Freeze-thaw durability of concrete is of great importance to hydraulic structures in cold areas. Study of ice formation process in concrete pores is necessary to evaluate the damages in concrete caused by freezing. In this paper, freezing of pore solution in concrete exposed to a freeze-thaw cycle is studied by following the change of concrete electrical conductivity with freezing temperatures. Concretes were subjected to freeze-thaw cycles with temperature varying between {minus}0 C and {minus}20 C. In the freezing process, the changing rate of concrete electrical conductivity obviously decreases at about {minus}10 C, indicating that more pore solution in concrete freezes above {minus}10 C than below {minus}10C. According to Powers` static hydraulic pressure hypothesis, it is thought that frost damage mainly occurs between 0 C and {minus}100 C. To ordinary concrete, frost damages below {minus}10 C are negligible.

• OSTI ID: 665157
• Journal Information: Cement and Concrete Research, Journal Name: Cement and Concrete Research Journal Issue: 9 Vol. 28; ISSN 0008-8846; ISSN CCNRAI
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
CONCRETES
DAMAGE
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
FREEZING
ICE
PORE STRUCTURE
THAWING