Effect of Saturation Degree on Concrete Deterioration due to Freeze-Thaw Action

Abstract

Freezing-thawing durability of cement concrete is extremely important in cold weather, to better understand mechanism of frost damage and air-entraining，saturation degree of pores in concrete and its relation with frost resistance were studied in this paper. Concrete specimens with different saturation degree from 0 to 100% were prepared used a sealed tin with a high water pressure pump. Then these specimens were subjected to six freezing-thawing cycles and the relative dynamic modulus of elasticity was examined. The results showed that critical saturation degree of concrete with water- binder ratio of 0.30 and 0.47, air content of 1%, 4% and 6% were from 0.60 to 0.80. When its saturation degree exceeded the critical value, concrete was deteriorated significantly after only six freeze-thaw cycles. The critical saturation degree was mainly related to the air content of concrete mixture, and it decreased with the increasing of air content. The difference between the saturation degree and the critical value can be used to evaluate potential frost resistance of concrete, and its result was consistent with the result of frost tests very well.