An investigation into methods of carrying out accelerated freezing and thawing tests on concrete

Summary It was noted in earlier investigations that accelerated freezing and thawing tests on concrete carried out using a continuously refrigerated room produced results more rapidly than similar tests using a cabinet-type refrigerator, although in each case the specimens reached the same limiting temperatures of about 5° and 60°F. Attempts have therefore been made to modify the technique so that results can be obtained more rapidly in the refrigerator. The tests show that damage occurs more rapidly when specimens are frozen immersed in water than when frozen in air, although the rate offreezing is lower. This suggests that evaporation of water from the surface of the specimens before freezing may mitigate the damage by reducing the stresses developed near the surface when the water freezes. Little was gained by the use of a brine bath surrounding the water-immersed specimens. Measurements of the temperatures of the specimens during freezing and thawing suggest that two cycles per day could be carried ou...