Effect of Freezing Temperature and Duration of Exposure on Compressive Strength of Concrete with Additive-Based Freeze Protection
Effect of Freezing Temperature and Duration of Exposure on Compressive Strength of Concrete with Additive-Based Freeze Protection
Effect of Freezing Temperature and Duration of Exposure on Compressive Strength of Concrete with Additive-Based Freeze Protection
Status: Completed 2026
Funding Agency: Army Corps of Engineering/ERDC-CRREL
Abstract:
Early-age exposure to deep freezing compromises the mechanical properties of cold-weather concrete. This study quantifies the effects of deep-freeze exposure timing and duration on cold-cured concrete formulated with an additive-based freeze protection (ABFP) admixture system.
Concrete specimens mixed and cured at −5 °C were subjected to deep-freeze temperatures of −10 °C, −20 °C, and −40 °C. Timing tests involved 24-hour exposures starting at initial set (IS), final set (FS), and 24 hours post-mixing (1D). Duration tests initiated exposure at FS for 1, 3, or 7 days. Compressive strength, static modulus of elasticity, and resonant frequency were evaluated up to 90 days.
Results reveal significant early-age sensitivity. Deep freezing at initial set caused the highest performance losses, reducing normalized compressive strength to an average of 0.80 (dropping to 0.74 at −40 °C), alongside static modulus reductions up to 14%. Exposure at final set yielded intermediate performance, while exposure after 24 hours matched the controls. Regarding duration, 1-day exposures caused minimal impact, whereas 3- and 7-day exposures created early-age strength deficits that gradually recovered at later ages. Overall, both exposure timing and multi-day duration govern hydration suppression and structural damage risks in cold-weather concreting.
Principal Investigator: Dr. Gilson Lomboy, PhD
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