Frost Resistance of the Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete Containing Active Mineral Additives

High durability of the steel fiber reinforced concrete is one of the prerequisites for it successful use in road construction. Frost resistance of concrete depends on many factors, in particular on the visco-plastic properties of the cement matrix and the cement paste porosity. The use of active mineral additives can improve the content of the gel component of the cement paste while creating optimal conditions for curing. The assessment the visco-plastic properties of concrete shows that the introduction of active mineral additives in optimal hardening conditions increases the plastic properties of the concrete matrix and steel fiber concrete that can increase the fracture toughness of the steamed concrete by means of simple technological methods. The results of the study of the changes in concrete porosity parameters and steel fiber reinforced concrete during cyclic freezing are given. The introduction of dispersed reinforcement improves the pore structure of the concrete matrix. The combination of fiber reinforcement with the cement matrix having enhanced crack resistance allows improving the performance of the composite material. The efficiency of the active mineral additive, slag, in increasing frost resistance and frost and salt resistance of concrete and steel fiber reinforced concrete is shown. (C) 2016 The Authors. Published Ltd.