Concrete Degradation Due to Thermal Incompatibility of Its Components

Abstract

The problem of premature and accelerated corrosion of concrete bridge decks in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia has motivated the study of damage sustained by concrete due to the thermal incompatibility of concrete components (TICC). The salient features of the study include the introduction of two new TICC damage characterization parameters, permeability and fracture toughness, which are seen to exhibit greater sensitivity in contrast to the conventionally measured strength parameter. TICC damage is also shown to be magnified in the presence of initial stress and in mixes with low ca/fa having coarse and fine aggregates of different origin. Admixtures in the form of latex and superplasticizers are shown to reduce TICC related damage. It is proposed that concrete mixes should be characaterized for TICC damage in terms of a permeability index in view of the ease of permeability measurements, especially in situations where the potential for TICC damage exists in combination with an environment conducive to corrosion.