The impact of air content on the durability of concrete under combined sulphate and freezethaw attack

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the optimal air content in concretes subjected a combination of exposure conditions. Five series of concretes with different air contents were tested. The article reports the experimental results of the combined sulphate expansion and freeze-thaw attack in ordinary Portland cement concrete. Some of the concrete samples were immersed in a 5% sodium sulphate solution for nine months, and then frozen in air and thawed in water. The resistance of concrete to plain freezing and thawing was also tested. In order to compare the degree of concrete damage in both environments, long-term linear deformations (expansion) and compressive strength of concretes were investigated. To explain the complex damaging process the air-void structure in concretes was investigated. The changes in concrete microstructure after storing in sodium sulphate solution were observed under the scanning electron microscope (SEM). The prior sulphate attack significantly accelerated the deterioration of non-air-entrained concrete and air-entrained concrete with low content of air voids. Optimal air entrainment will protect concrete from the harmful effects of the interaction of sulphate attack and freezethaw damage.