Performance of plain concrete under biaxial tension-compression after freeze-thaw cycles

An experimental study on the strength and deformation of plain concrete under biaxial tension-compression after 0, 25, 50 and 75 cycles of freeze-thaw was completed. The 100 mm concrete cubes were tested in a static and dynamic triaxial testing machine. The tensile strength, compressive strength, stress-strain curves and failure modes were examined. The experimental results showed that the tensile strength and the compressive strength under biaxial tension-compression decreased as the freeze-thaw cycles were repeated. The effects of the number of freeze-thaw cycles and the stress ratio on the tensile strength, compressive strength and corresponding tensile strain, compressive strain were analysed. In addition, a formula of strength versus freeze-thaw cycles is suggested.