Effect of internal freeze-thaw deterioration on chloride migration in concrete

Depending on the specific exposure conditions, reinforced concrete structures (RCS) are simultaneously subjected to different physical and chemical loads. While in the field of reinforcement corrosion, service life prediction based on full-probabilistic models is well-established, the consequences of combined attack have been neglected until now. The most frequent "load" combination on RCS in cold climates are freeze-thaw attack which can lead to inner or outer damage and chloride ingress which can lead to reinforcement corrosion. In an experimental study four different concrete compositions are exposed either to a defined freeze-thaw attack or stored in moist environment. Afterwards, the chloride migration coefficient of the specimens which were both exposed to freeze-thaw-cycles and not, was determined with a modified rapid chloride migration test. The results clearly show an influence of freeze-thaw-induced internal damage on chloride ingress depending on concrete composition.