Damage of concrete experiencing flexural fatigue load and closed freeze/thaw cycles simultaneously

The damage evolution of concrete subjected to 4-point flexural fatigue load and closed freeze/thaw cycles simultaneously was experimentally studied. The responses on a separate fatigue load at 20 degrees C and -25 degrees C were tested to simulate the specimens with thawed or frozen pore water respectively. This damage, characterized by the residual strain, is 15.7% lower of the frozen state and 30.8% higher caused by the two loads than that of the thawed state. More interfacial cracking related signals were observed in the frequency domain using acoustic emission. The micrographys illustrate the cracks originate from the two damage sources, referring to the pores and the interfacial zones. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved,