Abstract ▼ AI-Helper

When fresh concrete is exposed to sufficiently low temperature, the free water in the concrete is cooled below its freezing point and transforms into ice, which causes decrease in compressive strength of concrete. Of the many influencing factors on the loss of compressive strength, the age of con...

When fresh concrete is exposed to sufficiently low temperature, the free water in the concrete is cooled below its freezing point and transforms into ice, which causes decrease in compressive strength of concrete. Of the many influencing factors on the loss of compressive strength, the age of concrete at the beginning of freezing, water-cement ratio, and cement-type are significantly important. The objective of this study is to examine how the these factors affect the compressive strength of concrete frozen at early ages. The results from the tests showed that as age at the beginning of freezing is delayed and water-cement ratio is low, the loss of compressive strength decreases. In addition, concrete made with high-early-strength cement is less susceptible to frost damage than concrete made with ordinary portland cement.