Title: Assessing the Deicer Salt Scaling Resistance of Concrete Containing Supplementary Cementing Materials

Author(s): Dr. M. Jolin, Laval University

Publication: CRC

Volume:

Issue:

Appears on pages(s):

Keywords: Deicer, Salt, Scaling, Resistance, Supplementary, Cementing, Materials CRC #26

DOI:

Date: 9/20/2012

Abstract:
Fly ash and ground granulated blast-furnace slag are now commonly used in the production of concrete mixtures for residential, commercial and industrial applications. Despite their numerous advantages, the use of SCM for the production of concrete structures likely to be exposed to cold climates is often impeded by the fact that laboratory investigations invariably indicate that partial replacement of Portland cement with fly ash or slag markedly reduces the frost resistance of concrete in presence of de-icing chemicals. The conclusions of these numerous laboratory studies are apparently, however, not corroborated by field experience. The discrepancy between the two series of observations has led numerous researchers to question the reliability of the accelerated test procedure used in the laboratory to assess the de-icer salt scaling resistance of concrete. The main objective of this research was to understand the detrimental influence of fly ash and slag on the de-icer salt scaling behavior of concrete as evaluated by laboratory procedures. Findings indicate that the deicer salt scaling test is very sensitive to temperature profiles, type of surface and level of SCM replacement. The study in well-controlled conditions of the freezer pointed out the most important parameters of temperature cycle that influenced the de-icing scaling damage. These observations are being used to improve requirements on the use of the freezer in the accelerated scaling test methods. In addition, these observations can help to qualify the exposure conditions in field in relation with the standard test conditions.