Study of the Freeze–Thaw Resistance for Composite Fiber Recycled Concrete with Sulphate Attack Exposure

Abstract

The exposure of recycled concrete (RCA) to a sulphate environment in cold regions makes it crucial to overcome the freeze–thaw cycling effects of recycled concrete. Based on steel and basalt fiber reinforced recycled concrete, the freeze–thaw cycle resistance of recycled concrete was studied by exposure to a sulphate environment. The mass loss, dynamic elastic modulus loss and compressive strength loss of the specimens were studied through freeze–thaw cycle experiments. SEM techniques were used to explore the effect of fiber distribution on the freeze–thaw resistance of recycled concrete. The freeze–thaw mechanism of the basalt fiber and steel fiber recycled concrete exposed to a sulphate environment has also been summarized. The results show that, based on the sulphate environment, the composite fiber recycled concrete has a higher stability in terms of mass loss and relative dynamic modulus of elasticity than single fiber concrete. The compressive strength of S0.9RC (recycled concrete with 0.9% steel fibers) and BF5.5RC (recycled concrete containing 5.5 kg/m3 basalt fibers) increased by 8.62% and 13.62%, respectively, compared to normal recycled concrete after 28 days of maintenance; and after 150 freeze–thaw cycles, the compressive strength increased by 41.39% and 47.54%, respectively; compared to ordinary natural aggregate concrete, the compressive strength of S0.9RC and BF5.5RC increased by 32.90% and 27.36%, respectively. The compressive strength of the S1.5BF7.5RC (recycled concrete with 1.5% steel fibers and 7.5 kg/m3 basalt fibers) composite basalt fiber–steel fiber concrete also increased by 42.82%. SEM techniques indicated that the basalt fiber in the recycled concrete exhibited fracture damage, which inhibited the development of microcracks within the concrete. When the recycled concrete is subjected to coupled sulphate and freeze–thaw cycles, freezing occurs from the outside in, with ice crystals extending along the cracks into the matrix. Prior to freezing, a negative pressure is created by the compression of the air and the contraction of the salt solution, which pulls the external solution inwards. The brine is in a state where ice and water coexist during the continuous cooling process. The salt solution migrates from the inside to the outside during heating and melting.