This paper addresses the issue of freezing damage to concrete structures in regions with frozen soil and overcomes the limitations of traditional frost resistance enhancement methods by integrating both active and passive frost resistance strategies. A novel low-temperature phase change concrete (PCC) is developed using specially designed phase change aggregates and fly ash to replace gravel and cement, respectively. Macroscopic mechanical tests are employed to investigate the evolution of the mechanical properties of PCC. The temperature control capabilities of PCC are quantitatively assessed through thermal physical parameters, heat storage and release curves, and infrared thermal imaging, alongside the introduction of a temperature damping indicator to elucidate the mechanisms underlying active frost resistance enhancement. Furthermore, XRD NMR, and SEM are utilized to further explore the influence of fly ash and phase change aggregates on the microstructural characteristics of PCC. The results show that the addition of phase change aggregates can reduce the strength, porosity, and ductility of concrete. The PCC prepared by mixing phase change aggregates with fly ash demonstrates effective temperature control performance while maintaining satisfactory mechanical properties. The noticeable temperature plateau around 0 °C in the heat storage and release curve, along with the multi-layered annular flare distribution observed in infrared thermal imaging, suggests that the temperature damping effect significantly mitigates the freeze-thaw impact experienced by PCC. Overall, the A-8 sample, with 20 % phase change aggregate and 30 % fly ash added, exhibits the most favorable comprehensive performance, showing reductions of 2.63 %, 39.57 %, and 33.04 % in uniaxial compressive strength, porosity, and maximum temperature difference, respectively, compared to the control group, along with a 75.62 % increase in relative temperature damping.
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