Author : Eddie Franck Rajaonarison, Alexandre Gacoin, Bam Haja Nirina Razafindrabe and Vincent Emile Rasamison

In this research, an attempt was made to produce several types of mixing rate materials by the implementation of the procedure adopted. The evolution of the damage factor due to freezing, under loading of 20 to 60% of the flexural breaking load at 28 days, was determined during the freeze-thaw cycles. A study of the microstructure of materials gives explanations of the phenomena involved. A durability factor, was calculated from the damage factor after 40 freeze-thaw cycles and, in an original way, revealed the relative importance of characteristics of the materials affecting their frost resistance. Freeze–thaw stability tests were conducted for 400 cycles or until specimens deteriorated.

Keywords: Natural pozzolan; freeze-thaw; compressive strength; light concrete; scaling

Article published in International Journal of Current Engineering and Technology, Vol.8, No.5 (Sept/Oct 2018)