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.