Abstract
In areas with cold winters, premature failure in concrete pavement joints is a frequent phenomenon, yet there is no standard test method for evaluating their durability. In this study, the effectiveness of several evaluation techniques for concrete joint durability were evaluated. Concrete slabs with saw cuts representing joints were made, and exposed to different freezing and thawing/ wetting cycles, and different salt solutions (NaCl, CaCl2, and MgCl2). The durability of the joints was evaluated using measures of strength loss, mass loss, and a visual inspection. It was found that under these exposure conditions, the strength loss and visual inspection modes of evaluation could discern different levels of damage between different types of exposures, and also different concrete mixes (e.g. Different cement contents, strength and the presence or absence of SCM). Further research is required to evaluate the effects of sealants, saturated bases, and higher salt concentrations.
Highlights
Background InformationPremature concrete pavement deterioration, especially around the joints, has been observed in Ontario, but in several northern states in the USA as well
Zhang et al (2015) found that subsurface permeability played an important role in concrete pavement joint deterioration: in the presence of freezing and thawing, poor subsurface permeability led to joints becoming damaged quickly
Past research (Zhang, 2013; Taylor et al, 2016; Spragg et al, 2011; Castro et al, 2011) has examined how this damage can be reduced, and suggestions include a low w/c ratio, using supplementary cementing materials, having an adequate air entrainment, having cements with a high Calcium to Silica ratio in cements that are susceptible to oxychloride formation, good drainage at all points of the pavement to ensure that the joints stay dry, penetrating sealants that will slow the ingress of salts, water, and other compounds from entering the concrete microstructure, limiting how often salt is applied to the roads, and having an appropriate mix design
Summary
Background InformationPremature concrete pavement deterioration, especially around the joints, has been observed in Ontario, but in several northern states in the USA as well. The damage seen around concrete pavement joints includes cracks, spalling, faulting, ravelling, cracks around the aggregate/ interfacial transition zone, and damage around the joint seal (Jain, 2004; Van Dam et al, 2005; Zhang, 2013). This damage can be physical, such as freeze-thaw damage of saturated concrete, or chemical interactions, such as paste deterioration, or formation of expansive products like calcium oxychloride (Taylor et al, 2016). Spalling has been seen when water has accumulated in the joint and freeze-thaw cycles have taken place (Del Mar Arribas-Colón et al, 2012)
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