An Innovative Material with Strong Frost Resistance—Concrete Containing Dolomite Powder

Abstract

The effects of dolomite powder on the freeze–thaw resistance of C30 and C45 concrete were investigated in this manuscript. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the electric flux method, and a freeze–thaw cycle testing machine were used to determine the morphology, chloride penetration resistance, mass loss rate, and relative dynamic elastic modulus (Er) of concrete incorporating dolomite powder. Concrete’s freeze–thaw resistance improved as the dosage of dolomite powder was increased. After 300 cycles, the mass loss rates of reference specimens of C30 and C45 concrete were 6.71% and 0.14%, respectively, whereas the mass loss rates of C30 and C45 concrete in the presence of dolomite powder at a 50% replacement level were 5.81% and 0.13%, respectively. After 225 cycles, the Er of C30 concrete was 42.57% and 48.56% in the case of dolomite powder at 0 and 50% replacement levels, respectively. Meanwhile, after 300 cycles, the Er of C45 concrete was 67.54% and 71.50% in the case of dolomite powder at 0 and 50% replacement levels, respectively. Accordingly, the structure of dolomite-containing cement-based materials became more compact. Based on the Weibull distribution, a damage model for concrete containing dolomite powder was proposed. It established that concrete treated with dolomite powder had a lower degree of damage than reference specimens when subjected to the same freeze–thaw conditions.