- Author
- Philleo, R. E. | Clifton, J. R.
- Title
- Pore Structure of Concrete and Freezing Vulnerability.
- Coporate
- Consulting Engineer, Annadale, VA National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD
- Report
- NISTIR 89-4186, November 1989, 18 p.
- Keywords
- concretes | durability | entrained air | freezing and thawing | high performance concrete | silica fume | water-to-water ratio
- Abstract
- High-performance concrete with water-to-cement ratio (w/c) of or below 0.38, when hydrated to the maximum possible level, should not contain any freezable water. Therefore, non-air-entrained concrete with such w/c should be immune to freezing. However, laboratory freezing and thawing studies on non-air-entrained concretes containing silica fume have given conflicting results. Reasons for the conflicting results are explored in this report by analyzing relationships between w/c, capillary porosity, and freezable water in concretes with low w/c's. The effects of adding silica fume to concrete on potential frost damage is also discussed.