Effect of concrete frost deterioration on chloride penetration and carbonation

Within the Finnish DuraInt research project (Effect of Interacted Deterioration Parameters on Service Life of Concrete Structures in Cold Environments, 2008 - 2011) laboratory studies on the effect of frost deterioration on chloride penetration and carbonation were performed. After frost testing and internal deterioration, samples were exposed to varying levels of chlorides to determination penetration and the chloride migration coefficient, which showed a clear impact due to frost cracking. Field testing is also on-going to evaluate the effect of frost on chloride penetration and carbonation at highway circumstances in the Nordic climate. The final aim is a more accurate estimation of bridge and infrastructure service life