Freeze-thaw Durability Research Articles

The screening effect of coarse aggregate on the air void structure and durability of air-entrained concrete

The control of air void structures introduced by air-entraining agents (AEAs) has long been a crucial problem. However, the mechanism through which the air void structure is refined by the extrusion of the slurry and the cutting of the aggregate remains insufficiently studied. This study aims to investigate the screening effect of coarse aggregate on the air void structure. The gradations of coarse aggregates were controlled by the fractal dimension (D). For casting air-entrained concrete, multiple continuously graded aggregates with D of 2.1, 2.3, 2.5 and 2.7 as well as two single graded aggregates with D=1.8 and 3.0 were used. Various parameters such as air content, air void structure, freeze-thaw durability, chloride ion permeability and water absorption were measured. Various air void structure parameters were compared to macroscopic properties. To evaluate the screening effect of coarse aggregate, the bubble rising and splitting behavior when passing through a single simulated aggregate (SA) and SA layer were observed. The findings indicate that finer and continuously graded coarse aggregates lead to higher air content and promoted air bubble trapped rate, which suggests a stronger screening effect. This results in a smaller bubble spacing coefficient and stronger frost resistance.

Development of New Method for Concrete Carbon Emission evaluation: The Anti-freezing durability-oriented Carbon Emission Indicator (CEI) System and its application in design of low carbon HPC with high durability

This research focuses on the development of the Anti-freezing Durability-Oriented Carbon Emission Indicator (CEI) system for assessing concrete's carbon footprint with an emphasis on durability, particularly in freeze-thaw conditions. This novel approach reduces the environmental impact of concrete by integrating durability metrics into carbon emission evaluations. The paper presents experimental findings on mix designs for high-strength, low-carbon concrete, which demonstrate improved freeze-thaw durability. And found out that concrete mixes using sulfate-resistant cement with GGBS outperform those with FA and OPC in terms of low-carbon performance, in the newly developed 19 mixes, concrete mix incorporating air-entraining agents with sulfate-resistant cement and 40% GGBS as a supplementary cementitious material, namely the HPC1-P•HSRF-S group, demonstrates a distinct low-carbon advantage across various indicators.Overall, the inclusion of fibers is shown to improve freeze-thaw durability, though with limited impact on compressive strength. The research underlines the importance of optimizing concrete mix designs for both environmental and durability considerations, presenting a significant step towards more sustainable construction practices.

The influence of volcanic ash (VA) on the mechanical properties and freeze-thaw durability of lime kiln dust (LKD)-stabilized kaolin clayey soil

Improving soft clay soil's mechanical properties and durability has been the subject of intense research. In this context, traditional stabilizers such as cement and lime have been introduced as the most widely used materials. However, the utilization of these conventional additives poses several challenges due to recent global concerns regarding the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, international research is shifting toward using environmentally friendly soil-stabilizing waste materials. This study, for the first time, evaluates the stabilization of kaolin clay soil using lime kiln dust (LKD) as a high CaO content waste pozzolan and volcanic ash (VA) as a natural pozzolan with considerable SiO2 and Al2O3 contents. In general, the research aims to demonstrate the effective performance of these two inexpensive and environmentally friendly additives in improving the mechanical characteristics and durability of kaolin clay soil, thereby providing the essential groundwork for the practical application of this method in stabilizing soft clay soil. This study included preparing samples with LKD at 3%, 5%, 7%, and 10% of the dry weight of clay and replacing LKD with VA at 0%, 25%, 75%, and 100%. The specimens were cured for 3, 7, and 28 days. Following the curing process, the optimal sample was subjected to varying numbers of freeze-thaw (F-T) cycles. The samples were examined by conducting a series of standard compaction, unconfined compressive strength (UCS), ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) tests at different stages of adding stabilizers, as well as before and after exposure of F-T cycles. The findings revealed that adding LKD and VA increased the UCS by accelerating and improving the pozzolanic and hydration reactions. Also, the combination of LKD and VA in kaolin soil enhanced F-T durability, resulting in less strength deterioration even after 10 cycles, when compared to the untreated control sample. In particular, the optimal mixture containing 5% LKD and 25% VA replacement improved 11 times in UCS compared to untreated kaolin clay and showed a slight reduction of only 7% after 10 F-T cycles. Overall, the incorporation of LKD and VA enhanced the mechanical properties and F-T durability of kaolin clay soil, making it a low-cost, sustainable, and eco-friendly option for soil improvement.

Digital foam index for evaluating fly ash air entrainer interactions

Real-time evaluation of fly ash and air-entrainer (AEA) interaction was performed by acquiring and analyzing videos of the evolving foam layer in cement-fly ash-water mixtures using the foam index test. This modified foam index test or digital foam index, defines two fundamental parameters linked to foam generation and stability, and thus can be used to improve concrete air-entrainment for freeze-thaw durability. The AEA dosage required to produce a metastable foam is defined as foam stability dosage, whereas the incremental AEA dosage beyond the foam stability dosage to achieve a foam layer covering the entire container surface is termed foam efficiency dosage, and the summation of these dosages is the traditional foam index. The foam stability and efficiency dosages are independent parameters as a vinsol resin-based AEA had a higher foam efficiency dosage but a lower foam stability dosage than a sulfonate–based AEA.

Freeze-thaw durability of clayey soils stabilized by alkaline-activated kaolin and recycled cement kiln dust

Weak soils pose significant challenges for civil engineering projects, particularly in cold regions. Stabilizing such soils with additives is a common practice to enhance their geotechnical properties. This research aimed to evaluate the durability of clayey soils stabilized by alkaline-activated kaolin at 10, 25, and 50%, along with 10% recycled cement kiln dust (CKD). The stabilization process involved curing the soils at different temperatures (40, 60, and 80°C) for varying durations (1, 7, 14, and 28 days). The stabilized soils underwent 5, 10, and 20 freeze-thaw (F-T) cycles to evaluate their durability. The results indicated F-T cycling led to a reduction in the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of unstabilized soils, with a more pronounced impact as the number of cycles increased. However, this adverse effect was mitigated by additive stabilization. The improvement in UCS in stabilized soils was directly linked to the additive content, curing duration, and temperature. Both additives demonstrated superior resistance to F-T cycles, with CKD outperforming kaolin. These findings provide guidelines for utilizing kaolin and CKD for earthwork applications in cold regions with economic and sustainability advantages.

Assessment of the properties of mortars made of sorel cement

The purpose of laboratory tests was to determine the effect of sodium silicate and selected hydrophobic agents on the basic physical parameters and freeze-thaw durability of mortars made with Sorel cement in variable proportions. In order to determine the mortars’ parameters, samples of the dimensions of 4x4x16 cm and boards of the diameters of 1x4x16 cm were prepared. Parameters such as water absorption, capillary absorption, compressive and flexural strength and frost resistance were tested. Mortar supplemented with sodium silicate in the quantity of 2.6% of all components demonstrated the best properties. None of the other hydrophobic agents that were used to mitigate the negative effects of water on Sorel cement mortars demonstrated such positive properties. Flexural strength tests of all mortar batches, performed on cuboid samples and boards of the thickness of 1 cm, demonstrated a similar improvement in strength. The lowest value of compressive strength was recorded for the reference batch at 46.6 MPa, whereas the highest value was recorded for the second batch containing sodium silicate, at 49.8 MPa. During the testing of frost resistance, the lowest reduction of compressive and flexural strength was recorded for the reference mortar and for mortar with sodium silicate. All mortars were varied in the MgO/MgCl2 ratio and the total amount of water, the observed effects may be caused by other variables. However it is possible to notice the positive effect of selected hydrophobic agents.

Freeze-Thaw Cycle Durability and Mechanism Analysis of Zeolite Powder-Modified Recycled Concrete.

The inferior mechanical performance and freeze-thaw (FT) resistance of recycled concrete are mostly due to the significant water absorption and porosity of recycled coarse particles. In this study, different dosages of zeolite powder were used in recycled concrete. A series of macroscopic tests were used to evaluate the workability and FT durability of zeolite powder-modified recycled concrete (ZPRC). X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to reveal the micro-mechanisms of FT resistance in ZPRC. The results show that the increase in zeolite powder content leads to a decrease in the slump and water absorption of ZPRC. Additionally, ZPRC with 10% zeolite powder has superior mechanical characteristics and tolerance to FT conditions. The higher strength and FT resistance of the ZPRC can be attributed to the particle-filling effect, water storage function, and pozzolanic reaction of zeolite powder, which results in a denser microstructure. The particle-filling effect of zeolite powder promotes the reduction of surface pores in recycled coarse aggregates (RCAs). The water storage function of zeolite powder can provide water for the secondary hydration of cement particles while reducing the free water content in ZPRC. The pozzolanic reaction of zeolite powder can also promote the generation of hydrated calcium silicate and anorthite, thereby making the microstructure of ZPRC more compact. These results provide theoretical guidance for the engineering application of recycled concrete in cold regions.

Nano-SiO2/polyurethane modified unsaturated polyester resin mortar for thin layer repairing on airport pavement

This paper introduces a novel toughened polymer mortar designed for runway repair, featuring outstanding impact resistance, high strength, and cost-effectiveness. To augment the toughness of unsaturated polyester (UP) polymer mortar, nano-SiO2 and polyurethane (PU) were incorporated. Firstly, the optimal dosages of nano-SiO2 and PU were determined through tensile test and impact test. Then, the modification mechanism of nano-SiO2/PU on UP resin was explored by microscopic image technology. In addition, the compression, flexural, fluidity, flexural bond strength and construction time tests were carried out to determine the optimal formula of nano-SiO2/PU modified UP resin mortar. Finally, the durability, impact resistance, impermeability resistance, skid resistance, and interlayer bond strength of modified UP resin mortar were studied and compared with those of pure UP resin mortar and epoxy (EP) resin mortar. Results show that the optimum proportion by mass for nano-SiO2/polyurethane modified UP resin is, UP resin: PU: dibutyltin dilaurate: nano-SiO2: initiator: accelerator: diluent: plasticizer = 1: 0.1: 0.002: 0.01: 0.01: 0.01:0.15:0.01. Furthermore, the mass proportion of modified UP resin to aggregate is 1: 1.2. In nano-SiO2/PU modification of UP resin, the -NCO groups of PU have been involved in chemical interaction with the -OH group of UP, while nano-SiO2 and UP resin are blended physically only. Compared with pure UP resin mortar, the nano-SiO2/PU modified UP resin mortar exhibited a 44% reduction in shrinkage rate, approximately 20% less corrosion loss, a 32% decrease in freeze-thaw loss, a 37% improvement in impact resistance, and increased shear bonding strength, flexural bonding strength, and tensile bonding strength by 44%, 33%, and 47%, respectively. Although the modified UP resin mortar demonstrated slightly lower performance in terms of dry shrinkage, corrosion resistance, skid resistance, and tensile bond strength compared to EP resin mortar, its freeze-thaw durability, impact resistance, flexural bond strength, and shear bond strength surpassed those of EP resin mortar. All three materials exhibited excellent impermeability. Leveraging the advantages of PU and nano-SiO2, the modified UP resin presents a promising repair material for airport pavement with enhanced toughness, high stability, and reduced cost.

Effect of silicon impregnant on freeze–thaw durability of silane-treated recycled aggregate concrete

To enhance the freeze–thaw durability of saline-treated recycled aggregate concrete, the impact of three types of silicon impregnants (organosilicon, methyl sodium silicate, potassium methyl silicate) applied on the recycled aggregate concrete surface and the interior was studied. By conducting salt freeze–thaw test and observing recycled aggregate concrete surface microstructure after freeze–thaw cycles, the performance of impregnants in enhancing the salt freeze–thaw durability of silane-treated recycled aggregate concrete can be ranked as follows: organosilicon (internal) ≈ methyl sodium silicate (internal) > organosilicon (external) > potassium methyl silicate (external). Microstructure images confirm impregnants’ ability to reduce surface cracks, correlating with freeze–thaw resistance. The optimal strategy involves a 50 % combination of organosilicon internally and silane externally, with economic and practical implications for construction in cold areas.

Freeze–thaw damage analysis and life prediction of modified pervious concrete based on Weibull distribution

An assessment of the freeze–thaw durability of pervious concrete was conducted using a rapid freezing method to investigate the durability of modified pervious concrete within a freeze–thaw environment. The optimal proportion of the modified material was determined by evaluating the mass-loss rate and the relative dynamic elastic modulus as indicators of freeze–thaw performance. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was employed to observe microcrack propagation and reaction products. A freeze–thaw damage model, based on the Weibull probability distribution, was formulated. Freeze–thaw damage analysis and life prediction assessment were carried out using curves such as freeze–thaw damage velocity curves, freeze–thaw damage acceleration curves, failure rate curves, and reliability life curves. The outcomes revealed that the inclusion of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and silica ash had a favourable impact on improving the frost resistance of pervious concrete at later stages. The optimal proportions for PAN fibre and silica ash were determined as 0.6 % and 8 %, respectively. As the number of freeze–thaw cycles approached approximately 52.03 times, the freeze–thaw cycle velocity peaked. Subsequently, the freeze–thaw damage velocity was categorised into three stages based on the freeze–thaw damage acceleration curve. The degradation of pervious concrete due to freeze–thaw cycles followed a typical loss-type failure pattern. Notably, a 50 % increase in PAN fibre content resulted in a 62.92 % reduction in failure rate. Furthermore, a predictive analysis was conducted to estimate the lifespan of pervious concrete in a representative freeze–thaw region in China was performed.

Entrained air and freeze-thaw durability of concrete incorporating nano-fibrillated cellulose (NFC)

NanoFibrillated Cellulose (NFC) has consistently proven effective at improving some key properties of cement-based materials. However, till date, the effects of the NFC on the freeze-thaw (F-T) durability of concrete has received little attention. This study aims to fill this gap by first evaluating the fresh, entrained air content of 0.65 and 0.40 water-cement ratio, Plain and Plain +0.1 % NFC concrete mixtures prepared with and without an Air Entrainment Admixture (AEA). Micro computed tomography scan (CT-Scan) was also utilized in investigating the effects of the NFC on the entrained air characteristics of hardened concrete specimens. Thereafter, water-saturation process, F-T durability via, changes in specimen mass, Relative Dynamic Modulus of Elasticity (RDME) were investigated, and strain accumulation was monitored until specimens failed or 300 F-T cycles were attained. Relative to Plain concrete mixtures, test results showed that entrained air content values of Plain +0.1 % NFC mixtures were lower, causing the effective void spacing to significantly increase. However, RDME and strain measurements indicated that F-T internal damage progression in NFC-modified concrete mixtures prepared without an AEA was considerably slower compared to corresponding Plain concrete mixtures. Moreover, the overall F-T performances of air-entrained, Plain and Plain +0.1 % NFC concrete specimens were comparable despite that the latter set of specimens had lower entrained air content, with wider entrained air void spacing. Besides impeding the saturation process of specimen, the NFC enhanced the strain capacity of concrete, and the significant contraction of specimen on exposure to cooling-temperatures was helpful in mitigating expansive F-T damage process. Therefore, for applications where strength reductions associated with air-entrained plain mixtures are undesirable, the NFC will be very beneficial for the production of high-strength and F-T durable concrete.

New and Sustainable Coal Char-Based Paving Blocks for Roadway Applications

Paving blocks are widely used in engineering construction for durable pavement surfaces characterized by their interlocking capability to enhance structural integrity. This study explores the potential use of char as a byproduct from coal pyrolysis and an alternative raw material to natural aggregates in developing paving blocks, aiming to reduce the associated environmental issues associated with the uncontrolled and excessive mining of natural resources. This study finds the paving blocks made from char to have the required engineering properties as mentioned by ASTM standard C936. Trass and trass-lime are added as supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) to enhance the performance of char-based paving blocks. The incorporation of SCMs as a cement replacement also aims to reduce the carbon footprint arising from increased cement use. The compressive strength increased from 55.7 MPa to 65.71 MPa at 12.5% cement replacement with trass-lime. The water absorption is reduced to 4.63% from 4.95%. Beneficial effects towards freeze–thaw durability and abrasion resistance are also observed on trass-lime-incorporated paving blocks. This study signifies the remarkable potential use of coal-derived char and SCMs in developing light, high-strength, and durable paving blocks, showcasing their competitive engineering performance. These new char-based paving blocks will contribute towards a more sustainable construction environment and advance the current construction and engineering practices.

Estimation by capillary water absorption method to building natural stones’ durability against freeze-thaw

In construction, the proper selection of natural building stones and the prediction of their pathology are significant, with freeze-thaw action being a primary cause of deterioration. Testing for freeze-thaw durability, being labour-intensive and time-consuming, often conflicts with construction timelines. The proposed methodology estimates natural stone behaviour against frost damage using quicker laboratory tests (e.g., capillary water absorption). The use of natural stones with an open porosity exceeding 2% is not advisable, as exceeding this threshold leads to losses in compressive strength of more than 10% after 168 freeze-thaw cycles. This alternative evaluation through the capillary water absorption method provides a precise estimation of freeze-thaw durability, proving to be an instrumental tool for architects when selecting natural stones.

Freezing-thawing durability and chemical characteristics of air-entrained sustainable concrete incorporated high-calcium fly ash in high-volume

This study purposed to find the maximum fly ash replacement ratio, which can provide guaranteed freezing and thawing durability if the air is appropriately entrained, as well as an understanding of how increments of fly ash replacement influence the hydration products. Compressive strength and freezing-thawing durability were measured on concrete specimens. X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscope, and energy dispersive spectrum analysis were conducted on fly ash/cement pastes. Finally, the carbon footprint was estimated. Although the fly ash replacement ratio of 70 % is the lowest in strength and durability, it gives the highest strength per unit of CO2 emission. Freezing and thawing durability shows a significant dependence on the freeze-thaw environment. The relative dynamic modulus of elasticity has dropped off considerably when tested in Procedure A (freezing and thawing in water) and this drop was not observed in Procedure B (freezing in air and thawing in water) even at 1200 freezing-thawing cycles. Chemical analyses on pastes showed similar patterns in all replacement levels, confirming that there is no significant change in mineralogy even at the 70 % FA replacement, but the intensity of the portlandite peak decreases with increasing replacement ratio. Increasing fly ash decreases residual portlandite due to pozzolanic reaction, thereby, hydration products with a reduced Ca/Si atomic mass ratio have been formed.

Valorization of engineered biochar to develop ultra-high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete with low carbon emission

This research introduces an innovative approach to developing carbon-negative Ultra-High-Performance fiber-reinforced Concrete (UHPC) by incorporating substantial quantities of biochar, both as a binder and as an aggregate, replacing up to 25% by weight of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) and quartz sand (QS). The study examines the impact of biochar on cement hydration processes, microstructure evolution, and various other performance metrics in the modified UHPC. Samples were formulated with 3% double-hooked steel fibers and biochar quantities ranging from 5 to 25% by weight as substitutes for OPC and QS. The investigation included assessments of changes in rheological properties, strength metrics, long-term shrinkage, resistance to sulfate attacks, freeze-thaw durability, microstructure analysis, and a cost-benefit evaluation. Test results indicated that biochar-incorporated samples exhibited up to a 20% increase in heat evolution by the end of the seventh day and plastic energy at 28 days that rose to 32.14% as compared to control samples in 20% biochar-augmented versions. Shrinkage reduction varied between 58 and 69% at 210 days for samples with 20% biochar. Specifically, the mix containing 20% biochar (G2-M5-BC-20) significantly improved the 90-day compressive and flexural strength by 8.9 and 9.3%, and 30.6 and 36.8%, respectively, while further inclusion of biochar showed no marked enhancement in performance metrics. The G2-M5-BC-20 mix also demonstrated excellent resistance to sulfate attacks and freeze-thaw cycles, exhibiting the least mass loss and highest residual compressive strength. An initial cost-benefit revealed that biochar-enhanced UHPC could offer compelling financial benefits. Given its mechanical behavior, potential for harmful CO2 emissions, and economic viability, the G2-M5-BC-20 mix emerged as the most promising formulation, potentially generating an overall profit of $36 per cubic meter.

Effect of colloidal nano silica on the freeze-thaw resistance and air void system of portland cement concrete

The present study investigates the impact of colloidal nano silica (CNS) on the freeze-thaw durability of concrete, with a particular focus on understanding the fundamental mechanism via a systematic analysis of the air void system. Experimental results suggest that the incorporation of CNS increases the total air content of the sample while reducing the average void size. This phenomenon can be attributed to the remarkable capacity of CNS to stabilize air bubbles within the concrete matrix, by a heightened viscosity and lower surface tension of the fresh concrete mixture. The increase in air void chambers facilitates the release of internal stress during freezing expansion, thereby enhancing the freeze-thaw resistance of the concrete. Additionally, the inclusion of CNS results in the formation of a denser cement matrix that improves the water impermeability of the concrete and prevents the ingress of water and other potentially corrosive substances.

Testing historical recipes with organic additives to alter the water absorption of traditional lime mortar

This research aims to investigate the effect of organic additives on the properties of hydraulic lime mortars, primarily focusing on water absorption properties and freeze-thaw durability. Four organic additives are selected based on historical mortar recipes from different European sources dating back to the 17th, 18th and 19th century. These additives are linseed oil, egg white, ghee (Indian clarified butter) and oxblood. Basic hydraulic lime mortars have been gauged with the respective additives in different quantities. The analysis include open porosity, capillary water absorption, and effects of freeze-thaw tests. To gain insight on the effectiveness of the organic additives in mitigating freeze-thaw action due to less water absorption, these results are applied to assess the durability of the different mortars, which is physically tested in a freeze-thaw experiment. The use of ghee shows promising results.

Study on the performance of basalt fiber geopolymer concrete by freeze-thaw cycle coupled with sulfate erosion

In this research, double-blended materials such as fly ash and slag are used as binders, and basalt fibers (BF) are mixed in varying volume fractions (0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, 0.8%, and 1.0%) relative to the volume of concrete. Besides, sodium silicate (Na2SiO3) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) served as activators. The study investigates the freeze-thaw resistance, microstructure, performance mechanism, and internal freeze-thaw damage distribution of basalt fiber geopolymer concrete (BFGPC) through freeze-thaw cycle tests coupled with sulfate attack, SEM, and energy dispersive spectrometer analyses. The results indicated that BFGPC possesses excellent freeze-thaw resistance, achieving a minimum frost-resisting grade of F200. Increasing the BF content significantly enhances the frost resistance of the concrete. The hydration products of BFGPC include C–(A)–S–H gel, C–S–H gel, and a minor amount of N–A–S–H gel, which contribute to its structural density and homogeneity. The high compressive strength of BFGPC (87.7 MPa) further contributes to its outstanding freeze-thaw durability.

Preparation process and performance study of desert sand autoclaved bricks

Desert Sand Autoclaved Brick(DSAB) represents a novel type of building wall material. To investigate the performance of this wall material in the high-intensity cold regions of Xinjiang, this study, based on the(GB/T 11945–2019) "Autoclaved sand-lime solid brick and solid block" standard, explores the impact of varying lime content, forming pressure, autoclaving time, and autoclaving temperature on compressive strength. The aim was to determine an appropriate preparation process for DSAB that meets meets MU15-grade requirements. Additionally, experimental research was conducted on the micro-pore structure, freeze-thaw durability, and carbonation performance of the manufactured MU15-grade DSAB. Furthermore, microscopic analysis methods were employed to analyze the mechanisms behind the changes in the strength of the DSAB throughout the various experiments. The research findings are as follows: The optimal preparation parameters for producing MU15-grade DSAB are a forming pressure of 20 MPa, an autoclaving time of 8 h, and an autoclaving temperature of 180 ℃. Mercury intrusion porosimetry(MIP) revealed that DSAB has a total porosity of 38.19%, an average pore diameter of 55.86 nm, total pore volume of 0.175 mL/g, and total pore area of 12.56 m2/g. The majority of pore spaces consist of harmful and more harmful pores. DSAB exhibits favorable freeze-thaw durability. After 30 freeze-thaw cycles, the strength loss rate is only 7.0%, and the mass loss remains within 1%. After carbonation, the newly formed CaCO3 and SiO2 fill the brick's pores, transforming pre-existing harmful large pores into harmless tiny pores. After complete carbonation, the carbonation coefficient reaches 1.17.

Experimental investigation on the freeze-thaw durability of a phase change concrete in cold regions

In cold regions, freeze-thaw induced damage to concrete is among the most severe issues that affect structures, leading to shortened lifespans of concrete-related structures and causing substantial economic losses. Therefore, it is crucial to enhance the freeze-thaw durability in cold regions. To achieve this aim, we combined n-tetradecane (C14) and expanded perlite (EP) to produce a composite phase change material (EPC14) with cement encapsulation. The essential material performances of the EPC14 were characterized through a series of physical and chemical tests. The measurement results show that the EPC14 possesses an appropriate phase change temperature, chemical stability, and mechanical reliability. Hence, it is an excellent candidate material for producing phase change concrete. In this study, we selected five volumetric replacement ratios of the EPC14 to fine aggregates (0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40%) to prepare the phase change concretes (PCC-EPC14s). After these PCC-EPC14s samples were properly cured and then underwent 0, 50, 100, and 200 freeze-thaw cycles (FTCs), their physical and mechanical properties were systematically measured through nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), resonance frequency tests, and uniaxial compression tests. The comprehensive measurement results demonstrate that at 0 FTCs, a higher content of the EPC14 results in larger porosity in the PCC-EPC14s, leading to lower compressive strength and relative dynamic modulus of elasticity. However, after 200 FTCs, the PCC-EPC14 (20%) exhibits the highest compressive strength and relative dynamic modulus of elasticity, whereas the PCC-EPC14 (0%) exhibits the lowest values for both of these properties. Furthermore, fractal theory was employed to analyze the mechanical properties of the PCC-EPC14s from a microscopic perspective. The results indicate that the PCC-EPC14 (20%) exhibits the largest NMR fractal dimension after 200 FTCs, signifying the least complexity and integration in its pore structure. In comparison to the PCC-EPC14s (0%, 10%, 30%, 40%), it is less prone to developing damage cracks under compression. In conclusion, we advise using the PCC-EPC14 (20%) in practical construction projects. The PCC-EPC14s prepared in this paper offer valuable insights for enhancing the freeze-thaw durability of concrete in cold regions.