Freeze‐Thaw Deterioration of Concrete Pavements

Abstract

Under winter exposure conditions, solar radiation effects along with the presence of de‐icing salts have a pronounced impact on the deterioration of concrete pavements. The rapid changes and differences in temperature between the pavement's dry surface and saturated subsurface can cause both thermal and hydraulic stress. As subsequent cycles of freezing and thawing occur, a subsurface plane of cracks will form in which ice lenses can grow parallel to the surface and eventually cause failure of the subsurface paste. Once the subsurface has failed, the surface will spall off in sheets. This thin brittle layer will then crumble under traffic, and leave the aggregate exposed. By using both laboratory and field data this paper discusses concepts of how de‐icers and freeze‐thaw cycles limited to the upper portion of the concrete pavement contribute to scaling by setting up thermal gradients and lowering the immediate surface moisture content.