Properties of concrete at very low temperatures: A survey of the literature

This literature survey is focussed on the behaviour of concrete at very low temperatures down to -196°C. To give the reader some theoretical background, first the mechanisms of freezing and frost damage are discussed. Based on these mechanisms, reasonable explanations can be given for the characteristic behaviour of concrete under cryogenic conditions. The thermal deformation, the compressive and tensile strengths and the elasticity of concrete will be successively treated in separate Sections. Special attention will be paid to the effect of the mix proportions, moisture content, type of aggregate and thermal cycling on the behaviour of concrete. Finally, the cryogenic bond behaviour will be discussed. Particularly, the local bond stress-slip relationship will be analysed in more detail. Furthermore, the effect of low temperatures upon the crack width and spacings conclude this literature survey.