Freeze-Thaw Durability of Portland Cement Concrete Subjected to Aircraft Deicer

Abstract

Influence of glycol, which is the main composition of the most frequently used aircraft dicer, on the freeze-thaw durability of Portland cement concrete were investigated. Freeze-thaw durability of Portland cement concrete was tested by accelerated freeze-thaw test. Four kinds of solutions, namely tap water, 3.5% NaCl solution, glycol solutions and a LBR-A type commercial aircraft deicer were employed to be the freezing-thawing mediums. Results show that freeze-thaw durability of concrete exposed to glycol solutions is closely related to the solution concentrations. Failure of concretes exposed to 3.5% glycol solution is similar to that of those exposed 3.5% NaCl solution, which are attributed to serious surface scaling. While damage of concrete exposed to 12.5% and 25% glycol solutions are postponed, and the durability of concrete are increased. Compared with glycol solution, the commercial aircraft deicer demonstrated much more negative effect to concrete freeze-thaw durability, and the degree even exceeds 3.5% NaCl solution. Consequently, the commercial aircraft deicer is not a kind of environmental friendly deicer as usually considered.