ABSTRACT
In this paper, the durability of K-based Geopolymer Concrete (GPC) and Portland Cement Concrete (PCC) against freeze-thaw cycles subjected to 0, 17 and 27 freeze-thaw cycles have been investigated. Sub-zero temperatures are common in cold weather countries and it can cause surface deterioration, such as spalling and scaling, exposure of aggregates and induced internal crack growth in the concrete. The mass loss and relative dynamic modulus of elasticity of specimens, by means of resonant frequency test, were measured before and after the freeze-thaw cycles. Results showed that dynamic modulus of elasticity fluctuated for the Geopolymer Concrete and increased for Portland Cement Concrete, and the compressive strength decreased as freeze-thaw cycles were repeated for both types of concrete. Moreover, a fluctuation in the mass occurred due to the amount of water that permeated through existing cracks in the specimens.
