Mechanisms on the Salt–Frost Scaling of Concrete

Abstract

In this paper, the effects of NaCl concentration on saturation in concrete and ice-formation pressure and volume expansion of solutions are investigated; also, mechanisms of concrete salt-frost scaling are analyzed. Results show that the ice-formation pressure and volume expansion of solutions are significantly reduced with increased NaCl concentration, which positively affects the reduction of salt-frost scaling of concrete. On the other hand, the capillary-uptake degree of saturation and water-uptake rate in concrete obviously increase with increased NaCl concentration, which negatively affects the reduction of salt-frost scaling. According to the measured data, the ice-formation pressure in concrete is calculated, and the result quantitatively proves that the ice-formation pressure generated by 2–6% NaCl solution causes maximal concrete damage.