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Effects of intermediate drying periods on the scaling behavior of concrete under freeze-thaw deicing salt attack

Subject Area Construction Material Sciences, Chemistry, Building Physics
Term from 2020 to 2024
Project identifier Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 428338963
 
Final Report Year 2024

Final Report Abstract

The effect of intermittent drying periods on the damage development of cement-based construction materials under freeze-thaw and de-icing salt exposure was investigated. It was found that drying events occurring between freeze-thaw cycles significantly impact the magnitude and rate of surface scaling. Depending on the type of cement and the prevailing temperature, humidity, and CO2 concentration during drying, the tested mortars and concretes generally exhibit increased surface scaling behavior immediately after drying, but a reduced surface scaling behavior in the subsequent stages of the freeze-thaw and de-icing salt test. Using 1H NMR measurements, the drying process was comprehensively characterized and correlated with the surface scaling behavior. This revealed that changes in surface porosity and moisture content are primarily responsible for the surface scaling behavior. This finding was used to predict surface scaling in neural network based model using only 1H NMR measurements. Additionally, a novel measurement method using 3D laser scanning was developed, enabling precise determination of surface scaling even in materials that are highly susceptible to surface scaling. The results of the experimental program were used to calibrate a 3D-coupled hygrothermo-mechanical (HTM) model for simulating internal stress and strain states during freezethaw processes. Using the HTM model, it was possible to identify a strong dependence of the fluid pressure and the associated deformations during a freeze-thaw load on the permeability of the material.

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