INFLUENCE OF CURING CONDITIONS ON THE DURABILITY CHARACTERISTICS OF CONCRETE SUBJECTED TO FREEZE-THAW CYCLES

摘要

It is of general acceptance that the curing conditions are important factors that affect the durability characteristics of concrete. However, at the construction site the standardized laboratory procedures are not employed for curing. In this experimental study, the influence of two curing conditions on the durability characteristics of concrete subjected to freeze-thaw cycles, were analyzed. Concrete with a characteristic strength of 30 MPa, with and without air air-entraining admixtures (AEA), were subjected to two different curing conditions: wet and air dried conditions. The specimens were then subjected to freeze-thaw cycles. Various durability tests were performed to evaluate the concrete performance before and after the freeze-thaw tests. These test include: water penetration tests, gas permeability, mercury porosimetry, ATD tests, and chloride diffusion. The concrete deterioration due to the freeze-thaw cycles was evaluated by means of the following tests: length and mass loss, and ultrasonic tests.