Degradation of Roller-Compacted Concrete Subjected to Freeze-Thaw Cycles and Immersion in Potassium Acetate Solution

Abstract EN

Two sets of roller-compacted concrete (RCC) samples cured for 28 days were subjected to freeze-thaw (F-T) cycles and immersion in laboratory conditions.

F-T cycles in water and water-potassium acetate solution (50% by weight) were carried out and followed by the flexural impact test.

The weight loss, the dynamic elastic modulus (Ed), the mechanical properties, and the residual strain of RCC were measured.

The impact energy was calculated based on the final number of the impact test.

The results show that the effect of F-T cycles in KAc solution on the weight loss and Ed of RCC is slight.

Ed, the compressive strength, and the flexural strength of RCC with 250 F-T cycles in KAc solution decrease by 3.8%, 23%, and 36%, respectively.

The content (by weight) of K+ at the same depth of RCC specimens increases with the increase of F-T cycles.

The impact energy of RCC specimens subjected to 250 F-T cycles in KAc solution decreases by nearly 30%.

Microcracks occur and increase with the increase of F-T cycles in KAc solution.

The compressive strength of RCC immersed in KAc solution decreases by 18.8% and 32.8% after 6 and 12 months.

More attention should be paid to using KAc in practical engineering because both the freeze-thaw cycles and the complete immersion in KAc solution damage the mechanical properties of RCC.