Service Life Prediction of Concrete with Combined Air-Entraining Admixture and Fibers under Freeze–Thaw Cycles Based on Critical Water Saturation Theory
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 36, Issue 9
Abstract
Freeze-thaw resistance ability of concrete is an important issue when evaluating its durability. In this research, the objective was to predict concrete resistance to such cycles by analyzing water absorption based on the critical water saturation theory. In order to achieve this goal, detailed experiments were conducted, including water absorption, pore structure scanning, and mercury intrusion porosimetry of concrete with air-entraining admixture and different fiber content to obtain critical indicators, such as water absorption, porosity, and air void spacing factor, which formed the basis for predicting the service life of concrete. To predict the service life of concrete under freeze-thaw cycles, the critical saturation theory was utilized, taking into account environmental parameters and experimental indexes. The service life of concrete against freeze-thaw using air-entraining admixture and fibers had been calculated quantitatively in this paper. The results show that the predicted service life of concrete with air-entraining admixture was increased by more than 50 times, and using both air-entraining admixture and fiber could increase the service life by more than 80 times, even reaching 249 years.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Acknowledgments
The authors wish to acknowledge the financial support provided by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 52038004).
References
ASTM. 2020. Standard test method for measurement of rate of absorption of water by hydraulic-cement concrete. ASTM C1585-20. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM.
Bayraktar, O., S. Eshtewı, A. Benli, G. Kaplan, K. Toklu, and F. Gunek. 2021. “The impact of RCA and fly ash on the mechanical and durability properties of polypropylene fibre-reinforced concrete exposed to freeze-thaw cycles and with ANN modeling.” Constr. Build. Mater. 313 (27): 125508. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.125508.
Castro, J., D. Bentz, and J. Weiss. 2011. “Effect of sample conditioning on the water absorption of concrete.” Cem. Concr. Compos. 33 (8): 805–813. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2011.05.007.
Chen, R., and Y. Hu. 2022. “Experimental study on freeze-thaw damage mechanism of concrete.” [In Chinese.] Jiangxi Build. Mater. 3 (2022): 7–11.
Chen, Y., G. Cen, and Y. Cui. 2018a. “Comparative analysis on the anti-wheel impact performance of steel fiber and reticular polypropylene synthetic fiber reinforced airport pavement concrete under elevated temperature aging environment.” Constr. Build. Mater. 192 (20): 818–835. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.10.175.
Chen, Y., G. Cen, and Y. Cui. 2018b. “Comparative study on the effect of synthetic fiber on the preparation and durability of airport pavement concrete.” Constr. Build. Mater. 184 (30): 34–44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.06.223.
Chinese Standard. 2007a. Common Portland cement. GB/T 175-2007. Beijing: Chinese Standard.
Chinese Standard. 2007b. Concrete admixtures. GB/T 8076-2008. Beijing: Chinese Standard.
Chinese Standard. 2009. Standard for test methods of long-term performance and durability of ordinary concrete. GB/T 50082-2009. Beijing: Chinese Standard.
CMDC (China Meteorological Data Service Centre). 2023. “Basic meteorological observation data on the ground in China.” Accessed March 14, 2023. http://data.cma.cn/.
Cui, Y., Y. Chen, G. Cen, and G. Peng. 2019. “Comparative study on the effect of organic and inorganic fiber on the anti-wheel impact performance of airport pavement concrete under freeze-thaw environment.” Constr. Build. Mater. 211 (30): 284–297. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.03.193.
Dong, F., H. Wang, J. Yu, K. Liu, Z. Guo, X. Duan, and X. Qiong. 2021. “Effect of freeze–thaw cycling on mechanical properties of polyethylene fiber and steel fiber reinforced concrete.” Constr. Build. Mater. 295 (9): 123427. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.123427.
Fagerlund, G. 1977. “The critical degree of saturation method of assessing the freeze/thaw resistance of concrete.” Mater. Struct. 10 (4): 217–229. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02478693.
Fagerlund, G. 1993. The long time water absorption in the air-pore structure of concrete. Lund, Sweden: Lund Univ.
González, D., Á. Mena, J. Mínguez, and M. Vicente. 2021. “Influence of air-entraining agent and freeze-thaw action on pore structure in high-strength concrete by using CT-Scan technology.” Cold Reg. Sci. Technol. 192 (Dec): 103397. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coldregions.2021.103397.
Gui, Q. 2016. “Study on gas permeability of cement-based materials.” Ph.D. thesis, Dept. of Civil Engineering, Tsinghua Univ.
Hall, C., and A. Hamilton. 2018. “Beyond the sorptivity: Definition, measurement and properties of the secondary sorptivity.” J. Mater. Civ. Eng. 30 (4): 04018049. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0002226.
Jia, R., Q. Wang, and P. Feng. 2021. “A comprehensive overview of fibre-reinforced gypsum-based composites (FRGCs) in the construction field.” Composites, Part B 205 (15): 108540. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2020.108540.
Jin, M., W. Li, X. Wang, J. Tang, L. Teng, Y. Ma, and H. Zeng. 2023. “Investigating the dual influence of freezing-thawing cycles and chloride ion penetration on GGBS-AEA concrete deterioration.” J. Build. Eng. 78 (1): 107759. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2023.107759.
John, J., and W. George. 2007. “Mechanism for salt scaling of a cementitious surface.” Mater. Struct. 40 (3): 259–268. https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-006-9104-1.
Ke, G., J. Zhang, B. Tian, and J. Wang. 2020. “Characteristic analysis of concrete air entraining agents in different media.” Cem. Concr. Res. 135 (Sep): 106142. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2020.106142.
Kolay, P. K., S. O. Sulaiman, and S. Kumar. 2018. “Freeze-thaw durability of concrete with natural and recycled concrete aggregates using air-entraining admixture.” Adv. Civ. Eng. Mater. 7 (3): 328–346. https://doi.org/10.1520/ACEM20170079.
Li, C. 2009. “Study on water and ionic transport processes in cover concrete under drying-wetting cycles.” Ph.D. thesis, Dept. of Civil Engineering, Tsinghua Univ.
Li, H., J. Yang, L. Wang, L. Li, Y. Xia, T. Koberle, W. Dong, N. Zhang, B. Yang, and V. Mechtcherine. 2023a. “Multiscale assessment of performance of limestone calcined clay cement (LC3) reinforced with virgin and recycled carbon fibers.” Constr. Build. Mater. 406 (24): 133228. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.133228.
Li, K., J. Han, S. Wang, H. Lian, J. Xiong, J. Wang, Z. Fan, L. Xu, and H. Zhu. 2023b. “Long-term performance of structural concretes in China southeast coastal environments exposed to atmosphere and chlorides.” Cem. Concr. Res. 164 (Feb): 107064. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2022.107064.
Li, K. F., C. Q. Li, and Z. Y. Chen. 2009. “Influential depth of moisture transport in concrete subject to drying-wetting cycles.” Cem. Concr. Compos. 31 (10): 693–698. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2009.08.006.
Li, M., et al. 2023c. “Influence of combined air-Entraining superplasticizer and surface treatments on airport pavement concrete against salt freezing.” Coatings 13 (2): 372. https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings13020372.
Li, T. 1989. “Discussion on the frost damage mechanism of concrete - the effect of hydrostatic pressure and osmotic pressure.” [In Chinese.] China Concr. Cem. Products 5 (1989): 8–11.
Liu, Z., Y. Lu, S. Li, and J. Liao. 2019. “Axial behavior of slender steel tube filled with steel-fiber-reinforced recycled aggregate concrete.” J. Constr. Steel Res. 162 (Nov): 105748. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcsr.2019.105748.
Liu, Z., Y. Lu, S. Li, S. Zong, and S. Yi. 2020. “Flexural behavior of steel fiber reinforced self-stressing recycled aggregate concrete-filled steel tube.” J. Cleaner Prod. 274 (20): 122724. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.122724.
Lu, D., X. Shi, and J. Zhong. 2022. “Interfacial bonding between graphene oxide coated carbon nanotube fiber and cement paste matrix.” Cem. Concr. Compos. 134 (Nov): 104802. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2022.104802.
Mena, A., M. A. Vicente, J. Mínguez, and D. C. González. 2022. “Effect of air-entraining agent and freeze-thaw cycles on concrete microstructure using computed tomography scanning.” In Bridge safety, maintenance, management, life-cycle, resilience and sustainability. 1st ed. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.
Paluri, Y., S. Mogili, H. Mudavath, and R. Pancharathi. 2020. “A study on the influence of steel fibers on the performance of fine reclaimed asphalt pavement (FRAP) in pavement quality concrete.” Mater. Today: Proc. 32 (4): 657–662. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2020.03.147.
Pigeon, M., J. Marchand, and R. Pleau. 1996. “Frost resistant concrete.” Constr. Build. Mater. 10 (5): 339–348. https://doi.org/10.1016/0950-0618(95)00067-4.
Powers, T. C. 1949. “Air requirement of frost-resistant concrete.” In Vol. 29 of Highway research board proceedings, 184–211. Washington, DC: Highway Research Board.
Powers, T. C. 1975. “Freezing effects in concrete.” ACI Spec. Publ. 47 (Jan): 1–11.
Powers, T. C., and R. A. Helmuth. 1953. “Theory of volume changes in hardened portland cement paste during freezing.” In Vol. 32 of Proc., 32nd Annual Meeting of the Highway Research Board, 285–297. Washington, DC: Highway Research Board.
Ren, J., Y. Lai, J. Zhang, and W. Pei. 2023. “Whether mixed using polypropylene fiber and air-entraining agent can further improve the macro and micro durability of concrete in cold and sulfate regions.” Cold Reg. Sci. Technol. 212 (Aug): 103891. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coldregions.2023.103891.
Sassani, A., A. Arabzadeh, H. Ceylan, S. Kim, S. Sadati, K. Gopalakrishnan, P. Taylor, and H. Abdualla. 2018. “Carbon fiber-based electrically conductive concrete for salt-free deicing of pavements.” J. Cleaner Prod. 203 (1): 799–809. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.08.315.
Smith, S., M. Vandamme, and K. Kurtis. 2020. “Dissolution kinetics of trapped air in a spherical void: Modeling the long-term saturation of cementitious materials.” Cem. Concr. Res. 130 (Apr): 105996. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2020.105996.
Sun, L., K. Jiang, X. Zhu, and L. Xu. 2020. “An alternating experimental study on the combined effect of freeze-thaw and chloride penetration in concrete.” Constr. Build. Mater. 252 (20): 119025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.119025.
Tarhan, Y., and R. Şahin. 2021. “Effect of recycled concrete aggregate, air entraining admixture and maximum aggregate particle size on the behavior of concrete under freeze-thaw cycles.” J. Green Build. 16 (2): 217–233. https://doi.org/10.3992/jgb.16.2.217.
Wang, J., and E. Liu. 2020. “The relationship between steady-state chloride diffusion and migration coefficients in cementitious materials.” Mag. Concr. Res. 72 (19): 1016–1026. https://doi.org/10.1680/jmacr.18.00286.
Wang, J., L. Xu, M. Li, H. He, Y. Wang, D. Xiang, S. Lin, Y. Zhong, and H. Zhao. 2022a. “Effect of pre-carbonation on the properties of cement paste subjected to high temperatures.” J. Build. Eng. 51 (Jul): 104337. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2022.104337.
Wang, W., Y. Wang, Q. Chen, Y. Liu, Y. Zhang, G. Ma, and P. Duan. 2022b. “Bond properties of basalt fiber reinforced polymer (BFRP) bars in recycled aggregate thermal insulation concrete under freeze–thaw cycles.” Constr. Build. Mater. 329 (25): 127197. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.127197.
Wang, Y., H. Lu, J. Wang, and H. He. 2020. “Effects of highly crystalized nano C-S-H particles on performances of Portland cement paste and its mechanism.” Crystals 10 (9): 816. https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst10090816.
Xie, J., J. Wang, M. Li, L. Xu, D. Xiang, Y. Wang, H. He, Y. Zhu, and J. Zhao. 2022. “Estimation of chloride diffusion coefficient from water permeability test of cementitious materials.” Constr. Build. Mater. 340 (18): 127816. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.127816.
Xu, L., X. Hu, Q. Yang, B. Ran, K. Li, J. Wang, and X. Zhang. 2024. “Insight into multi-ionic adsorption behavior of recycled cement paste exposed to chloride solutions.” Constr. Build. Mater. 426 (May): 136142. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2024.136142.
Xu, L., Y. Lai, D. Ma, J. Wang, M. Li, L. Li, Z. Gao, Y. Liu, P. He, and Y. Zhang. 2022a. “Effects of fiber and surface treatment on airport pavement concrete against freeze-thawing and salt freezing.” Materials 15 (21): 7528. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15217528.
Xu, L., J. Wang, K. Li, T. Hao, Z. Li, L. Li, B. Ran, and H. Du. 2023a. “New insights on dehydration at elevated temperature and rehydration of GGBS blended cement.” Cem. Concr. Compos. 139 (May): 105068. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2023.105068.
Xu, L., J. Wang, K. Li, M. Li, S. Lin, T. Hao, T. Wang, Y. Guo, and Z. Ling. 2023b. “Investigations on the rehydration of recycled blended SCMs cement.” Cem. Concr. Res. 163 (Jan): 107036. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2022.107036.
Xu, L., J. Wang, K. Li, S. Lin, M. Li, T. Hao, Z. Ling, D. Xiang, and T. Wang. 2022b. “A systematic review of factors affecting properties of thermal-activated recycled cement.” Resour. Conserv. Recyl. 185 (Oct): 106432. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2022.106432.
Yang, Q., and K. Li. 2022. “Study on water absorption model of air-entraining concrete under natural conditions.” Eng. Mech. 39 (5): 159–166. https://doi.org/10.6052/j.issn.1000-4750.2021.03.0165.
Yokozeki, K., K. Watanabe, N. Sakata, and N. Otsuki. 2004. “Modeling of leaching from cementitious materials used in underground environment.” Appl. Clay Sci. 26 (1): 293–308. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clay.2003.12.027.
Zeng, Q. 2012. “Poromechanics of freezing behavior of cement-based porous materials saturated with salt solution.” Doctoral thesis, Dept. of Civil Engineering, Tsinghua Univ.
Zhang, J., T. Lv, Y. Zhu, and D. Hou. 2022. “Damage mechanism of engineered cementitious composites after exposed to elevated temperatures: Experimental and molecular dynamics study.” Cem. Concr. Compos. 129 (May): 104507. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2022.104507.
Zhuang, S., Q. Wang, and T. Luo. 2023. “Modification of ultrafine blast furnace slag with steel slag as a novel high-quality mineral admixture to prepare high-strength concrete.” J. Build. Eng. 71 (15): 106501. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2023.106501.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 36 • Issue 9 • September 2024
Copyright
© 2024 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Aug 29, 2023
Accepted: Feb 23, 2024
Published online: Jun 21, 2024
Published in print: Sep 1, 2024
Discussion open until: Nov 21, 2024
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.