Why Freeze-Thaw Test Concrete?

Why Freeze-Thaw Test Concrete?

Did you think about the concrete runway the last time you boarded a plane?  Probably not, but the staff at Bowser-Morner do.  We conduct freeze-thaw testing for customers who build concrete airport runways, flood control structures (dams), bridges, and roadways.  This is critical work.

Why is the freeze-thaw method of testing concrete so important?  While we think of concrete as a solid, water can get trapped inside, expand when frozen, and crack the concrete over time.  We freeze (at 0°F) and thaw (at 40°F) concrete prisms 300 cycles to simulate the freezing and thawing that occurs naturally in some environments.  The specimens are periodically tested for durability.  Some test better than others.  Some fail epically.

The mix of concrete (rock, sand, cement, and water) may sound like a simple recipe, but if the weather conditions are not considered, the integrity of the concrete could be at risk.  And Bowser-Morner is all about helping our customers mitigate risk.

Whether it’s a wall, a building, a runway, or a warehouse floor, concrete is the second most used material on earth.  Water is first.  Durability really matters, and getting concrete right for our customers is worth the time and detailed assessment it takes for freeze-thaw testing at Bowser-Morner, Inc.

 

Article Authors

VP & Director of Construction Materials & Geotechnical Laboratories View Bio