Improving freeze-thaw resistance of alkali-activated slag by admixtures

Alkali-activated material (AAM) is one of the most attractive alternatives to ordinary Portland cement (OPC). Recently, more and more research interests are devoted to durability performance. In cold areas, freeze-thaw resistance is a crucial durability factor for concrete. However, the understanding of the freeze-thaw resistance of AAMs is...

The influence of freezing-thawing cycles on the geotechnical performance of an end-bearing energy pile

Energy piles are getting more attention for their sustainable and economic potential. The fluid pipes are integrated in the foundation piles, which makes it cost-attractive, but also relatively new to the Dutch geotechnical industry. By lowering the temperature limit of the anti-freeze fluid in the pipes the heat extraction and thereby also the...

The influence of freeze-thaw cycles on the shear strength of Illite clay

Thermo-active structures, such as energy piles, are used to store and extract heat energy from soil. In areas with seasonal freezing and thawing, such infrastructure is subjected to changes in the soil structure and, consequently, the soil strength. This research investigated the influence of repeated freeze-thaw (FT) cycles and different...