Examining the frost resistance of high performance concrete

The experimental program investigated the need for air entrainment in high performance concrete (HPC). Concrete mixtures with varying water to cementitious material ratios (w/cm) were subjected to ASTM C 666 (Procedure A). The variables for the mixtures were total air content and w/cm. The targeted total air contents for the mixtures were 2% (non-air entraining agent), 4%, and 6%. The w/cm ranged from 0.26 to 0.50. The 56 day compressive strengths varied from 41 to 96 MPa (6000–13,900 psi). The freeze-thaw tests continued until the specimen deteriorated, or until the specimen achieved 300 freeze-thaw cycles. For the materials used in the study, the research results show non-air entrained mixtures with w/cm less than 0.36 can be developed that have adequate frost resistance. The results also show for the mixtures developed in the study that a total air content of 4% is adequate to provide frost resistance for mixtures with a w/cm between 0.36 and 0.50.