Evaluation of concrete frost resistance testing methods

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Volume Title

Insinööritieteiden korkeakoulu | Master's thesis

Date

2024-08-19

Department

Major/Subject

Mcode

Degree programme

Master's Programme in Building Technology (CIV)

Language

en

Pages

70+10

Series

Abstract

The frost resistance of concrete depends on multiple factors, and its accurate quantification can be difficult due multiple possible methods of testing. The objective of this thesis was to survey and evaluate the most popular direct and indirect western frost resistance tests, to compare these tests with each other, and to investigate the effect of supplementary cementitious materials on them. This thesis begins by reviewing the literature on mechanisms of frost damage and the properties affecting frost resistance. Afterwards, different frost resistance testing methods are discussed. Lastly, four different cements, with varying degrees of slag, are tested at water-to-binder ratios of 0.40 and 0.45 in order to evaluate different methods of testing, and the possible influence of slag on the results. The air content was measured with the pressure gauge method and the gravimetric method from fresh concrete, and from hardened concrete with polished section analysis and the pressure saturation test. In addition, a capillary suction test, compressive strength test, and the slab test were done. The results confirmed that slag decreases the surface scaling resistance of concrete and sorptivity. The air content measurements showed loss of entrained air during hardening. A spacing factor below 0.20 mm was found insufficient in guaranteeing satisfactory surface scaling resistance, which might due to the amount of slag in the concrete samples.

Description

Supervisor

Punkki, Jouni

Thesis advisor

Ojala, Teemu
Iqbal, Ahsan

Keywords

concrete, frost resistance, slag, freeze-thaw, indirect testing

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