FREEZE-THAW DURABILITY OF HIGH-STRENGTH CONCRETE

This report presents freeze-thaw durability results of an investigation regarding the application of high performance concrete (HPC) to prestressed bridge girders. This study included a total of 30 concrete mixes and more than 130 specimens, with the following variables: aggregate type: round river gravel, partially-crushed gravel, granite, high-absorption limestone, and low-absorption limestone; cementitious material composition: Type III portland cement only, 20% fly ash, 7.5% silica fume, and combination of 20% fly ash with 7.5% silica fume replacement by weight of cement; and curing condition: heat-cured or seven-day moist-cured. No air-entraining agents were used in the study's initial phase to simulate the production of precast/prestressed bridge girders. Results indicate that it is possible to produce portland cement concrete with high strength and freeze-thaw durability without the use of air-entraining agents. Overall, the moist-cured concrete specimens exhibited better freeze-thaw durability than the heat-cured concrete specimens. The reference concrete mixes--containing only portland cement--performed better than the concrete containing pozzolan material of fly ash or silica fume. The low-absorption limestone aggregate concrete mixes exhibited the best freeze-thaw durability performance--in some cases, enduring more than 1,500 freeze-thaw cycles without failing. The study found that the moisture content of the coarse aggregate at the time of mixing had a significant impact on the concrete's freeze-thaw durability.

• Corporate Authors:

  University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

  Department of Civil Engineering, 500 Pillsbury Drive, SE
  Minneapolis, MN  United States  55455

  Minnesota Department of Transportation

  395 John Ireland Boulevard
  St Paul, MN  United States  55155
• Authors:
  • Kriesel, R
  • French, Catherine E
  • Snyder, M
• Publication Date: 1997-12

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 210 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Concrete curing; Fly ash; Freeze thaw durability; Granite; Gravel; High strength concrete; Limestone aggregates; Portland cement; Silica fume
• Uncontrolled Terms: Crushed gravel
• Subject Areas: Highways; Materials; I32: Concrete;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00752206
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: 1998-10, Final Report
• Contract Numbers: 69098 TOC #83
• Files: TRIS, ATRI, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Aug 19 1998 12:00AM