Frost and Salt-Frost Deterioration of Concrete – An Overview

This text contains an overview of the field of frost and salt-frost resistance of concrete. It consists of three parts: First, a summary of known phenomena of frost and salt frost deterioration of concrete, then a description of thermodynamics of ice formation in porous materials, and finally a description of proposed models and mechanisms of deterioration during frost and salt frost attack. The concept of critical degree of saturation is briefly described. It is especially emphasized that moisture content is the most decisive factor in frost resistance tests, and that moisture content must always be carefully surveyed when studying frost deterioration processes. Understanding of the mechanisms of moisture uptake at very high moisture content levels will be decisive for the understanding of frost destruction processes. The text is intended as an overview. Much more information is available in the literature.