Determining k-Value with Regard to Freeze-Thaw Resistance of Concretes Containing GGBS

The European concrete standard EN 206 introduces the k-value concept as one of the three methods allowing the use of granulated blast furnace slag in the design of the freeze-thaw-resistant concrete mix. It is assumed that the freeze-thaw durability of the concrete, whose composition (w/c ratio) has been corrected by adopting a certain k-value, is the same as the freeze-thaw resistance of the reference concrete made with the cement containing no addition (CEM I). This article presents the results of freeze-thaw resistance analysis (modified with the ASTM C666A standard Class XF3) of 24 series of concretes made with a binder containing varied amounts of slag, with a w/b ratio ranging from 0.25 to 0.55. The aim of the study was to estimate the k-value as a parameter defined by the w/b ratio and the slag content in the binder. In this approach, the k-value is determined by trial and error in such a way that the deformation of the concrete specimens containing the slag corresponds to the deformation of the reference concrete. As shown by the analysis, the k-value decreases with increasing slag content in the binder.