동해방지를 위한 초기재령 콘크리트의 최소 양생 시간 예측

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to propose a method to predict the minimum curing time of early age concrete required to prevent frost damage. Tests were performed to examine major factors, which affect the compressive strength of concrete frozen at early ages and investigate the source of frost damage at early age concrete. The results from the tests showed that the loss rate of compressive strength decreases as the beginning time of frost damage was delayed and water-cement ratio was lower. In addition, the test results also showed that concrete made with type III cement was less susceptible to frost damage than concrete made with ordinary Portland cement and frost damage occurred through the formation of ice lenses. When early age concrete is being damaged by frozen, a phase transition into ice of free water presented at the capillary pores of the concrete gives a reason for the decrease of compressive strength. Accordingly, the frost resistance of fresh concrete can be determined based on the saturation degree of the capillary pores. The method to predict the minimum curing time was suggested using the concept of critical saturation degree of the capillary pores.