Pore Structure Influence on Properties of Air-Entrained Concrete
Kamil Załęgowski
Abstract
The study investigates the influence of an air-entraining admixture on the properties and pore structure of ordinary concrete. The aim was to examine how modifications to the concrete mix affect compressive strength, ultrasonic pulse velocity, and resistance to freeze-thaw cycles. Concrete samples with varying admixture dosages (0.00-1.50% of cement mass) were tested for mechanical properties and pore structure. Freeze-thaw resistance was assessed using both direct (PN-B-06265) and indirect methods (EN 480-11), while pore characteristics were evaluated via computer-aided image analysis. Results show that increasing the admixture dosage enhances freeze-thaw resistance by refining the pore structure-particularly by increasing the content of micropores below 0.3 mm-while simultaneously reducing compressive strength and ultrasonic velocity. Statistical analysis revealed that pore parameters such as total air content, specific surface area, and spacing factor significantly correlate with concrete performance. The regression models confirmed that compressive strength and ultrasonic velocity are negatively impacted by increased pore volume, while freeze-thaw resistance improves due to a more favorable pore size distribution. The findings demonstrate that optimizing the admixture dosage can effectively balance durability and mechanical performance, and that quantitative stereological parameters provide a valuable basis for predicting the behavior of air-entrained concrete.