While in the field of reinforcement corrosion service life prediction is well-established, there is still need for a user-friendly design model in the field of freeze-thaw deicing salt attack. This attack is one of the major causes of damage to concrete structures in cold climates. The degree of moisture during the first freeze-thaw-cycles exceeds moisture saturation by capillary suction and diffusion. When a critical degree of saturation is reached before freezing damage occurs immediately. As a consequence, depending on the concrete resistance (e.g. pore structure of the concrete) and the severeness of the freeze-thaw load (e.g. minimum temperature, moisture offer and salt concentration), a certain number of freeze-thaw cycles is needed before damage occurs (initial phase). The main exposure parameters influencing the initial phase as well as the subsequent evolution of damage (deterioration phase) are the minimum temperature as well as the salt and moisture content. These factors were determined by single-sided NMR, gravimetry and mercury intrusion porosimetry respectively. Three different concrete compositions were exposed to freeze-thaw deicing salt load at different minimum temperatures. To investigate the influence of the initial moisture content concrete specimens were continuously exposed to freeze-thaw load while other specimens from the same batch were exposed to alternating freeze-thaw exposure with intermediate dry periods. It was found that the minimum temperature and intermediate dry periods had a significant influence on the initial phase as well as on the degradation phase. In addition, higher chloride content in the near-surface concrete reduced the scaling rate. The chloride content under freeze-thaw exposure with 3% NaCl solution in laboratory significantly exceeded typical contents due to capillary suction and diffusion. Increasing the minimum temperature increased the chloride content. The investigations form the basis for service life prediction of concrete towards freeze-thaw deicing salt attack.
Currently, the carbonation resistance of concrete is assessed on the basis of accelerated tests performed with high (unrealistic) CO2 concentrations. It remains unclear whether these high concentrations reflect the processes occurring under natural conditions and enable the accurate prediction of field behaviour. To develop future test procedures with higher reliability, it is necessary to deepen the knowledge on the mechanisms of carbonation. Thin slices of mortar were stored in a gaseous mixture of 2 % CO2 and 98 % N2 at atmospheric pressure or 5 bar. IH-NMR equipment was used to detennine moisture profiles with aresolution of 0.2 mm. At 5 bar a drying front at the near-surface region of the mortar discs severely inhibited the progression of the carbonation reactions. This effect was prevented by exposure to altemating cycles of pressure and storage at atmospheric pressure (65%RH) which significantly increased the rate of carbonation, but was too severe to resolve the effect of cement type on carbonation resistance. Furthermore , the evolution of water beyond the carbonation front of mortar sampies under accelerated concentration and at atmospheric pressure was clearly visible. This may lead to an overestimation of carbonation resistance of sampies tested under accelerated conditions at the optimal relative humidity for natural carbonation (50-70% RH).
Detection of Transport Processes during Freeze-Thaw Deicing Salt Attack Using Single-Sided NMR
(2012)
Damage of concrete structures exposed to a combined freeze-thaw deicing salt attack (FTDSA) is one of the major deterioration mechanisms in cold climates. Before damage occurs, concrete structures subjected to freeze-thaw cycles (FTC) in the presence of water or deicing salt solution exhibit fast moisture uptake known as frost suction. There is still need for research in describing and modelling the mechanisms that lead to freeze-thaw induced surface scaling of concrete. Therefore, the moisture transport under FTDSA was investigated using single-sided 1 H NMR. The technique enables the observation of dynamic transport processes of water inside the sample non-destructively. Furthermore, porosity and pore size distribution of water saturated samples can be determined. The method also provides information on the mobility of water, i.e. water in capillaries or in gel pores. Water redistribution in pores as well as changes in the pore structure inside the near surface concrete sample under FTDSA were observed with single-sided 1 H NMR. The measurements confirmed the additional saturation of gel pores during thawing previously described by the micro ice lens model. The results are discussed within the context of the mechanisms of freeze-thaw deicing salt attack of concrete and contribute to a deeper understanding of the mechanisms that lead to freeze-thaw deterioration of concrete.