Research on Frost Damage of Concrete for Pavements with Ordinary Portland Cement and Portland Fly-Ash Cement

Due to severe freeze thaw salt damage to concrete pavements on military airfields in the Netherlands, the Agency for Infrastructure of the Netherlands Ministry of Defence (DGW&T) decided to prescribe ordinary Portland cement (CEM I 32.5R, coded as PC) with air entrainer. The ENCI (First Dutch Cement Industry) is of the opinion that freeze thaw salt resistance in concrete pavements can also be achieved with Portland fly-ash cement (CEM II/B-V 32.5R, coded as PFC) with air entrainer. ECCRA (European Concrete Consulants for Roads and Airfields) was therefore commissioned to carry out a study of the effects of cement type, air entrainer, test methods, coarse aggregates, curing conditions and de-icing agents. The air content, the type of de-icing agent, the curing conditions, type of coarse aggregate have a significant influence on the freeze thaw salt resistance of concrete designed for airfield pavements. It’s possible to produce freeze thaw salt resistant concrete with CEMIII/B-V 32.5R. However, it requires more attention to control the air content.