PURPOSES : In this experimental study, the resistance of blended cement concrete containing air-cooled slag (AS) and water-cooled slag (WS) to freeze–thaw action was investigated. For comparison, the durable performance of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) concrete exposed to a similar damage environment was also evaluated. METHODS : Based on the ASTM C 666 standard, the relative dynamic modulus of elasticity, mass ratio, surface electric resistivity, and compressive strength of blended cement concrete specimens were periodically measured and compared with those of OPC concrete to evaluate the durability of concrete exposed to the freezing-thawing environment. In addition, microstructural characteristics of deteriorated concrete parts were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy techniques to detect products formed by freeze–thaw action. RESULTS : It was found that the resistance of blended cement concrete containing AS and WS to freeze–thaw action was significantly better than that of OPC concrete. Furthermore, the SEM results revealed the frost damage of OPC concrete, owing to the formation of thaumasite. CONCLUSIONS : The application of AS in concrete can effectively improve the durability of concrete, particularly in freeze–thaw environments.

PURPOSES : This paper presents the experimental results of tests conducted on concrete produced with air-cooled (AS) and water-cooled (WS) ground blast-furnace slag exposed to multi-deterioration environments of carbonation and scaling. METHODS : Carbonated and uncarbonated concrete specimens were regularly monitored according to the ASTM C 672 standard to evaluate the durability of concrete exposed to both scaling and combined carbonation and scaling conditions. Additionally, mechanical properties, such as compressive strength, flexural strength, and surface electric resistivity, were analyzed. RESULTS : It was found that concrete specimens produced with AS and WS had a beneficial effect on the mechanical properties because of the latent hydraulic properties of the AS and WS mineral admixtures. Moreover, carbonated concrete showed good scaling resistance in comparison to uncarbonated concrete, particularly for concrete produced with AS and WS. CONCLUSIONS : The improved scaling resistance of carbonated concrete showed that AS is a suitable option for binders used in cement concrete pavements subjected to combined carbonation and scaling.

PURPOSES : Durability of concrete is traditionally based on evaluating the effect of a single deterioration mechanism such as freezing & thawing action, chloride attack, carbonation and chemical attack. In reality, however, concrete structures are subjected to varying environmental exposure conditions which often results in multi-deterioration mechanism occurring. This study presents the experimental results on the durability of concrete incorporating air-cooled slag(AS) and/or water-cooled slag(WS) exposed to multi-deterioration environments of chloride attack and freezing & thawing action. METHODS: In order to evaluate durable performance of concretes exposed to single- and multi-deterioration, relative dynamic modulus of elasticity, mass ratio and compressive strength measurements were performed. RESULTS: It was observed that multi-deterioration severely affected durability of concrete compared with single deterioration irrespective of concrete types. Additionally, the replacement of cement by AS and WS showed a beneficial effect on enhancement of concrete durability. CONCLUSIONS : It is concluded that resistance to single- and/or multi-deterioration of concrete is highly dependent on the types of binder used in the concrete. Showing the a good resistance to multi-deterioration with concrete incorporating AS, it is also concluded that the AS possibly is an option for concrete materials, especially under severe environments.

In this study, from the material properties of the aggregates into the actual applications were evaluated for utilizingthe air-cooled blast furnace slag as the coarse aggregates (SG) in PHC piles. The physical and chemical characters ofthe SG were satisfied the standards presented in KS F 2544 for concrete blast furnace slag aggregates. And it was satisfiedthe environmental-factor-evaluation, including the soluble, heavy metal elution and total mercury content, and etc. In casethe non-washed type SG is used, the S/A ratio adjustment according to micro-powder of the aggregate surface and chemicaladmixture adjustment are needed in order to satisfy the aimed material properties. As the replacement ratio of SGincreased, the manifestation rate of compressive strength of the PHC piles was decreased. Particularly, in case non-washingtype SG, the manifestation rate more decreased. Therefore, the elimination of the pop-out materials and cleaning processare necessary for the production process for using the SG as coarse aggregates of PHC Piles