Compressive strength degradation and evolution of failure surfaces in compressively preloaded concrete under freeze-thaw cycles

Compressive load can directly influence the frost resistance and compressive strength degradation of concrete under freeze-thaw cycles. In this paper, the deterioration in the compressive strength of concrete under the both compressive load and freeze-thaw cycles was explored experimentally. Based on the experimental data, a predictive model of the deterioration process of concrete compressive strength under external load during freeze-thaw cycles was established. The comparison of the predicted results with reported experimental and in situ inspection results, revealed good agreement between our predicted results and those reported in the literature. It was concluded that based on the degradation model, an evolution model for the failure of the concrete surface under compressive load during freeze-thaw cycles was established.