Concrete/Reinforcing Steel Bond Strength of Low-Temperature Concrete

Abstract

It is estimated that in the United States the cost of protecting freshly placed concrete from freezing damage is approximately $800 million annually. Chemical admixtures depress the freezing point of water and allow concrete to gain strength at temperatures that are below the freezing point of water. This study investigates the bond strength of the reinforcing steel and concrete in concrete cured at below freezing temperatures with an antifreeze admixture of sodium nitrite and calcium nitrite. Results indicate that concrete created with this antifreeze admixture and cured below 0°C will develop strengths comparable to concrete cured above 0°C without antifreeze admixtures.