Freeze-thaw resisting concrete - its achievement in the UK (C559)

While traditional, partly prescriptive, methods of specifying for freeze-thaw resistance have been largely successful, it does not follow that they are necessarily economic or appropriate for today. Economic pressure from many sources requires consideration and development of performance-based specifications. Current measures to prevent freeze-thaw damage to concrete have not been entirely successful in two main areas. The first is on flat horizontal surfaces (e.g. pavements and aprons and other exposed slabs). The second is saturated concrete structures exposed to severe freeze-thaw conditions, (e.g. sea walls, marine structures and water storage structures). C559 is the outcome of a joint CIRIA/Concrete Society project. It gives recommendations for the design, specification, production, workmanship and maintenance of concrete to achieve freeze-thaw resistance under environmental conditions in the United Kingdom. It includes descriptions of the principal mechanisms of freeze-thaw action and the four types of resulting damage. This guide reviews the effects of new construction techniques on the freeze-thaw resistance, particularly those enabling increased protection of the more vulnerable outer surface or the near-to-surface zone of concrete.

The report also examines performance tests and their relevance to design. This guide reviews the effects of new construction techniques on the freeze-thaw resistance, particularly those enabling increased protection of the more vulnerable outer surface or the near-to-surface zone of concrete. The report also examines performance tests and their relevance to design. Improving freeze-thaw resisting concrete in the UK is aimed at supervising engineers involved in design, specification and construction of reinforced or prestressed concrete and concrete and component materials suppliers.

Key words: concrete and structures, design and buildability.

ISBN: 978-0-86017-559-9

Author: T A Harrison, J D Dewar, B V Brown

Number of pages: 80 (paperback)

Publisher: CIRIA

Date of Publication: July 2001