Performance of concrete exposed to freezing and thawing in different saline environments

Selection of de‐icing agent applied to the road surfaces can crucially affect the winter driving conditions as well as the deterioration of materials employed in the road structures in cold climates. In particular, concrete as one of the main construction load bearing materials can be affected. Road managers should therefore base their decisions regarding the selection of de‐icing agent not only on data regarding their defrosting potential but also on data related to deterioration rates of materials built in the road infrastructure system. The paper presents the results of a study where the influence of different types of de‐icing salts upon concrete performance was assessed in laboratory conditions. The theoretical background of freezing and thawing in the presence of de‐icing salts in concrete is summarized. Salt scaling tests were performed using 3 selected de‐icing salts on 3 different types of concrete. The mass scaled off the surface was weighed after every 5 freeze‐thaw cycles. The results obtained show that a CaCl2 solution has the most destructive effect upon concrete performance, regardless of the type of concrete. Deterioration was the least when a MgCl2solution was applied to the concrete surface. Santrauka Keliu paviršiams barstyti naudojamos druskos gali iš esmes pakeisti vairavimo salygas žiema ir paskatinti šalto klimato regionuose keliams naudojamu medžiagu senejima. Šios druskos ypač veikia betona kaip viena pagrindiniu statybinems konstrukcijoms naudojamu medžiagu. Parinkdami barstyti naudojamu medžiagu tipa keliu prižiūretojai turi atkreipti demesi ne tik i atitirpimo pajeguma, bet ir i duomenis, susijusius su keliu infrastruktūros sistemoje naudojamu medžiagu senejimu. Straipsnyje pateikti skirtingu tipu druskomis veikiamu betonu elgsenos eksperimentiniai tyrimai. Apibendrinti užšaldymo ir atšildymo ciklais drusku aplinkoje veikiamo betono elgsenos teoriniai tyrimai. Nagrinetas triju skirtingu drusku tipu poveikis trims skirtingu tipu betonams. Nuo paviršiu atšokusios mases buvo sveriamos kas penkis užšaldymo ir atšildymo ciklus. Gauti rezultatai, parode, kad CaCl2 turi didžiausia ardomaji poveiki betono elgsenai nepriklausomai nuo betono tipo. Senejimas buvo mažiausias naudojant MgCl2. First Published Online: 24 Jun 2011 Reikšminiai žodžiai: betonas, paviršiaus aižejimas, atsparumas užšaldymui ir atšildymui, druskos, operaciju ir priežiūros valdymas, keliu infrastruktūr