Effect of Fiber on the Concrete Resistance to Surface Scaling Due to Cyclic Freezing and Thawing

Frost damage is considered to be a typical material deterioration in the concrete structures subjected to external environmental conditions. The effect of different types of steel and polypropylene fibers on the surface scaling resistance of concrete subjected to cyclic freezing and thawing in the presence of deicer salt was analyzed. The test parameters included fiber type and dosage and the type of concrete surface subjected to freezing and thawing. Both the cut and cast surfaces of specimens were tested. The dispersed steel reinforcement was found to improve the scaling resistance significantly. However, the effectiveness of fibers was related to their shape and dimensions. The beneficial effect of polypropylene fibers on salt scaling resistance was apparent only in case of the extruded fibers with treated surface.