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

Journal Article · · Cement and Concrete Research
;  [1]
  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, Vol. 28, Issue 9; Other Information: PBD: Sep 1998
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English