Institute of Fundamental Technological Research

The purpose of introducing air into the concrete mix is to increase the freeze-thaw and scaling resistance of hardened concrete. The utility of the sequential pressure method (Super Air Meter - SAM) for assessment of the air entrainment quality was verified by comparing the results obtained with this method with the results of the air-void analysis of hardened concrete. The results of the tests carried out on mixes designed and produced at a laboratory and the mixes produced on an industrial scale during expressway construction are considered. Furthermore, the relationships between the SAM number and the micro air-void content A300 in hardened concrete and the freeze-thaw and de-icing salt resistance are analysed as part of this research. A clear co-relation between the SAM number, a parameter that characterises the air-entrainment of the concrete mix, and the microvoid content has been demonstrated.
Napowietrzenie mieszanki betonowej stosuje się w celu podwyższenia mrozoodporności betonu i jego odporności na złuszczenia powierzchniowe. Przeprowadzono badania możliwości charakteryzowania jakości napowietrzenia mieszanki betonowej za pomocą pomiarów metodą sekwencyjno-ciśnieniową, oceniając zgodność jej wyników z wynikami pomiaru charakterystyki porów w betonie stwardniałym. Przedstawiono wyniki badań mieszanek zaprojektowanych i wykonanych w laboratorium, jak i mieszanek wykonanych przemysłowo na budowie drogi ekspresowej. Analizowano relację tzw. liczby SAM mieszanki betonowej w odniesieniu do zawartości mikroporów A300 w stwardniałym betonie oraz odporności na cykliczne działanie mrozu w obecności soli odladzających. Wykazano wyraźną korelację między parametrem charakteryzującym napowietrzenie mieszanki betonowej (liczba SAM) a zawartością mikroporów w betonie stwardniałym.

air-entrainment, air-void parameters, concrete, freeze-thaw resistance, microvoid content, sequential pressure method, surface scaling / beton, charakterystyka porów, metoda sekwencyjno-cioenieniowa, mrozoodporność, napowietrzenie, zawartość mikroporów, złuszczenia powierzchniowe

The exposed aggregate pavement technology for construction of concrete highways is used in European countries, including Poland, mostly for heavy trafficked strategic roads. It is mainly a two-lift slip-form technology with a special treatment of the top surface after the final smoothing operation. This is a demanding technology that leaves a little margin for mistakes. When properly done the pavement layer with exposed aggregates ensures designed skid resistance for vehicle wheels even in adverse weather conditions without excessive traffic noise. The challenge is to provide its cost-effective long term performance including both the adequate roughness and the desired smoothness of the pavement. The paper presents tools and methods for construction quality assurance specific for exposed aggregate concrete pavements. Required monitoring of the stability of concrete mix properties is discussed. The importance of concrete curing is analyzed in respect to the long term durability in wet-freeze regions with heavy use of deicing salts. Macrotexture assessment at the early stage of pavement construction is seen as the key factor for assurance of the proper skidding resistance. Local evaluation of smoothness is also a useful approach to assure the target IRI. Examples of quality assurance efforts applied on concrete highways recently constructed in Poland are presented.

air entrainment, exposed aggregate, evenness, jointed plain concrete pavement, quality assurance, macrotexture depth