ANTIFREEZE ADMIXTURES FOR COLD WEATHER CONCRETING

Based on a literature survey, a laboratory study was begun to evaluate promising antifreeze compounds. Laboratory tests were performed to study the beneficial and detrimental effects of antifreeze admixturues on concrete properties such as strength gain at low temperature, freeze-thaw durability, workability and corrosion of embedded metal. It was found that antifreeze concrete can be cured at temperatures significantly below 0 deg C without harming its performance compared to that of normal concrete cured at room temperature. Of the antifreeze concrete mixes tested, those containing sodium nitirite/calcium nitrite and sodium nitrite/potassium carbonate performed the best. Even for those concretes whose strength lagged behind that of the control mix, the prognosis is that they will eventually recover full strength when thawed.