1. Durability of Concrete Exposed to Freeze-Thaw Cycles
By: Matthew David Burton

2. What’s Wrong with Freezing Water?
Water expands 9% when it freezes

3. What Happens When Water Freezes in Concrete?
Surface Scaling/Spalling
Random Cracking
D-Cracking

4. Why is This Important for the Cincinnati Area?

5. Methods for Increasing Freeze-Thaw Durability
Air Entrainment
Deicing Chemicals

6. Air Entrainment: The Details
Microscopic air bubbles
10 to 50 micrometers ( to 0.02 in)
Allow water to expand and contract in freeze-thaw cycles
Created using a surfactant during mixing
Common range for air: 4 to 7% of total concrete volume

7. Air Entrainment: Pros and Cons
Durability in freeze-thaw cycles
Increased workability
Wetting-drying cycle resistance
One time addition (unlike deicers)
Too little air
Lack of durability
Too much air
Difficulty finishing
Air clusters
Decreased compressive strength
Economy: Around 5% more expensive

8. Deicing Chemicals: The Details
Include chlorides: NaCl, CaCl2, and MgCl2
Organics: Calcium manganese acetate (CMA)
Significantly decrease freezing point of water
Dissolves in water and interferes with freezing

9. Deicing Chemicals: Pros and Cons
Increased freeze-thaw durability
Economical
Concrete deterioration
Must be applied continually

10. Conclusions Air entrainment should always be used
Deicing chemicals can be used but type and quantities must be closely monitored

11. References
Pittsburgh Mobile Concrete, Inc. “Bootstrap Slider.” 7 March 2016.
“Pavement damage due to Freeze Thaw Cycles.” civildigital.com. 7 March 2016.
“Why Do Sidewalks Have Lines?” wonderopolis.org. 12 March 2016.
“Freeze-Thaw.” 12 March 2016.
Hershfield, David M. “The Frequency of Freeze-Thaw Cycles.” Journal of Applied Meteorology (1974): Web. 16 Feb
“Air entrained concrete.” northernconcreteinc.com. 16 March 2016.
“Sand vs. Salt: What’s better for the environment?” wescapelic.com. 16 March 2016.
“Four Caricom Countries.” today.caricom.org. 21 March
Portland Cement Association. “Freeze-Thaw Resistance.” Web. 16 Feb
National Ready Mix Concrete Association. “Freeze Thaw Resistance of Pervious Concrete.” foundation.org. May Web. 16 Feb
Hershfield, David M. “The Frequency of Freeze-Thaw Cycles.” Journal of Applied Meteorology (1974): Web. 16 Feb
Portland Cement Association. “What is air-entrained concrete?” Web. 16 Feb
“What Special Performance Do You Need?” Web. 16 Feb
“Adjusting Air Entrainment.” Feb Web. 16 Feb
“How Do De-icing Materials Affect Concrete?” Nov Web. 16 Feb

12. Thank you for listening!