Mechanical Properties of Concrete at Low Temperature

Laboratory studies were conducted on concrete compressive and splitting tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, and Poisson's ratio and on the local bond strength between concrete and steel under both monotonic and cyclic loadings in the temperature range of 20 °C and -70°C. These properties have increased value as temperature decreases. The ratio of bond strength at low temperature and the bond strength at normal temperature are generally smaller under repeated cyclic loading than under monotonic loading, while the ratio of the corresponding strength under reversed cyclic loading is larger than that under monotonic loading. The effects of cyclic temperature changes (freezing cycles) on concrete properties were also investigated. Results show that there is a reduction in concrete compressive strength, bond strength, and the value of Young's Modulus.