Freezing and thawing cycles: effect on recycled aggregate concrete including slag
Moetaz El-Hawary, Anwar Al-Yaqout, Khallad Elsayed
Abstract
The objective of the current research is to study the resistance of cone (prepared from recycled coarse aggregate (RAC) and sand with the fractional substitution of cement by mineral slag) to freezing-thawing cycles. Compressive strength, length change, mass loss, ultrasonic pulse velocity, durability factor, and relative dynamic modulus of concrete mixtures were evaluated. In general, the incorporation of a 25% slag improved the compressive strength of the new concrete and had a favourable effect on them after freezing-thawing cycles. The freezing-thawing resistance was reduced due to the utilisation of recycled aggregates. The results showed a direct relationship between the resistance reduction and the recycled aggregates content. The introduction of a 25% slag was found to improve the frost resistance in addition to improving sustainability.