Combined deterioration of concrete subjected to loading, freeze—thaw cycles and chloride salt attack

Abstract

This article discusses the combined deterioration of concrete with different strength grades when subjected to three-point bending loading, freeze–thaw cycles and chloride salt attack. Test results show that concrete tested in chloride salt solution scaled much more severely than in fresh water. Weight loss in chloride salt solution was twice that in water. However, dynamic modulus of elasticity (DME) of concrete in chloride salt solution dropped more slowly than that in water due to decline in freezing point as a result of chloride salt. It is also shown that the degradation process of concrete simultaneously exposed to loading, freeze–thaw cycles and chloride salt attack was significantly accelerated. The higher the stress ratio, the less the freeze–thaw cycles that concrete could bear and consequently the shorter the service life.