Scaling resistance of high performance concretes containing a small portion of pre-wetted lightweight fine aggregate

The subject of the investigation was the influence of pre-wetted lightweight aggregate on damage of the concrete surface due to cyclic freezing and thawing in the presence of de-icing salts tested according to the Swedish Standard SS 13 72 44 (the Borås method). Six series of concrete specimens were made with the same water/binder (w/b) ratio 0.32, cement volume 400 kg/m and content of superplasticiser 8.8 kg/m. One series, S3/2, contained an air-entraining agent. Series S4/7 and S4/8 were made with water/cement ratio equal to 0.45 and a lower cement content 340 kg/m. In a few series the sand fraction 0–2 mm and basalt fraction 2–4 mm were partly or totally replaced by wetted lightweight aggregate. Concretes S3/1, S3/3, S4/7 and S4/8, failed the test. The best results were obtained for concrete S3/6 (with the 2–4 mm fraction replaced by half) and S3/2 (air-entrained). The application of an air-entraining agent is more expensive than LWA, and at a construction site it is not always easy to control. It seems that the replacement of a part of aggregate by LWA could be a more effective way to improve the scaling resistance. 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.