Etude des propriétés fondamentales de bétons courants soumis à de longs cycles de gel–dégel

This article describes the change in the basic properties of standard concrete subjected to 12 h freeze–thaw cycles. Basic properties considered are resistance to compression and other parameters describing concrete behavior in axial compression with axial and transverse expansion. Although 300 freeze–thaw cycles have relatively little effect on standard concrete (without air entrainment), results show that the basic property most affected by slow freeze–thaw cycles is compressive strength and not modulus of elasticity. Furthermore, nondestructive testing indicates that only the residual axial elongation allows detection of minor concrete deterioration. Finally, the authors put forward a theory that the presence of air that has been entrained in the concrete, even though specific air entrainment agents have not been used, explains the observed minor deterioration of standard concrete subjected to slow freeze–thaw cycles. [Journal translation]