Mechanical properties of concrete with smeared cracking by alkali-silica reaction and freeze-thaw cycles

Abstract This study investigates the expansion behaviors and mechanical deteriorations of concrete damaged by the coupled alkali silica reactions (ASR) and freeze-thaw cycles (FTC). It is observed that the preceding ASR process will enlarge the risk of subsequent expansions under FTC. Even though the entrained air can prevent the frost damage, significant expansion still occurs in the air-entrained concrete under the combination of ASR and FTC. On the other hand, minimal differences are observed in the ASR expansion with/without preceding FTC. At last, the compressive strength and the relative dynamic elastic modulus (RDEM) are measured, and it is found that the decrease in the compressive strength and RDEM due to FTC can be partially restored by the subsequent ASR, which indicates that the ASR gel could have a positive effect on the mechanical properties of the FTC-damaged concrete.