Modeling and testing the freeze-thaw attack by micro-ice-lens model and CDF/CIF-test

Title: Modeling and testing the freeze-thaw attack by micro-ice-lens model and CDF/CIF-test
Author(s): Max J. Setzer
Paper category : conference
Book title: International RILEM Symposium on Concrete Science and Engineering: A Tribute to Arnon Bentur
Editor(s): J. Weiss, K. Kovler, J. Marchand, and S. Mindess
Print-ISBN: None
e-ISBN: 2912143926
Publisher: RILEM Publications SARL
Publication year: 2004
Nb references: 25
Language: English

Abstract: Frost action is primarily an artificial saturation process. Only if after this a sufficient saturation is reached a damage process sets in. The saturation is caused by frost shrinkage during cooling and swelling during heating. This phenomenon bases on the coexistence of pore-water, ice and vapor below bulk freezing point and can be explained and quantified by surface thermodynamics [1]. Frost-shrinkage causes a nearly irreversible transport of pore water to semi-macroscopic micro-ice-lenses during freezing. The inverse from ice to water during heating and frost-swelling is quenched. A transport from external sources is much faster. For the micro-ice-lens model the non-stationary situation during a freeze-thaw cycle must be considered additionally [2] leading to a pumping and saturation process far beyond isothermal capillary saturation. The explanation is relevant for the appropriate simulation of frost action in laboratory. The CIF-test basing on this shows the strong correlation between freeze-thaw cycles, frost suction and internal damage of concrete. The results are of interest for both practical assessment and optimization of concrete mixes and for a better understanding of the basic phenomena in the submicroscopic structure leading to frost damage.

Online publication: 2004-03-25
Classification: Freeze-Thaw
Publication type : full_text
Public price (Euros): 0.00
doi: 10.1617/2912143926.055