Sustainability of Concrete Structures
in Terms of Concrete Frost Resistance
Determination
D. Kocáb, P. Danˇ ek, P. Žítt, and T. Vymazal
Abstract This chapter deals with determining the frost resistance of concrete built in
a structure. The test result can be used as one of the input parameters in sustainability
indicator calculation, e.g., when there is a need to assess the suitability of different
concrete structure repair designs in terms of sustainability. Almost all standards
dealing with concrete frost resistance prescribe testing specimens made in moulds.
This is a fundamental problem when testing an existing concrete structure. The aim of
the experiment described is to propose a method for determining the frost resistance of
concrete by testing core samples. Several options were exercised. The non-destructive
methods include the ultrasonic pulse velocity and resonance methods, while the
destructive method includes the tensile splitting strength test.
Keywords Sustainability · Concrete · Frost resistance · Concrete structure
1 Introduction
In 2015, the European Commission adopted the Community Programme LIFE,
whose primary goal is to contribute to a significant development of low-emission
economy. Such economy would use all sources effectively, it would be environmentally friendly, it would take into consideration the effort to mitigate climate change,
and it would contribute to protecting and improving the environment, the countryside, and biodiversity [1–3]. On that account, sustainability has been a phenomenon
in the recent years and it must be said that rightfully so. It is an approach that represents the future of all activities, including construction. Not only should the design be
assessed with regard to sustainability but also the process of construction, operation,
maintenance, and repairs of all structures—including the concrete ones [4].
Concrete is the most common building material all over the world. Therefore,
it represents a considerable burden to the environment, especially in terms of CO 2
D. Kocáb (B) · P. Danˇ ek · P. Žítt · T. Vymazal
Faculty of Civil Engineering, Brno University of Technology, Veveˇ rí 331/95, 602 00 Brno, Czech
Republic
e-mail: dalibor.kocab@vutbr.cz
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
Z. Zembaty et al. (eds.), Environmental Challenges in Civil
Engineering, Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering 122,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-63879-5_5
63
in Terms of Concrete Frost Resistance
Determination
D. Kocáb, P. Danˇ ek, P. Žítt, and T. Vymazal
Abstract This chapter deals with determining the frost resistance of concrete built in
a structure. The test result can be used as one of the input parameters in sustainability
indicator calculation, e.g., when there is a need to assess the suitability of different
concrete structure repair designs in terms of sustainability. Almost all standards
dealing with concrete frost resistance prescribe testing specimens made in moulds.
This is a fundamental problem when testing an existing concrete structure. The aim of
the experiment described is to propose a method for determining the frost resistance of
concrete by testing core samples. Several options were exercised. The non-destructive
methods include the ultrasonic pulse velocity and resonance methods, while the
destructive method includes the tensile splitting strength test.
Keywords Sustainability · Concrete · Frost resistance · Concrete structure
1 Introduction
In 2015, the European Commission adopted the Community Programme LIFE,
whose primary goal is to contribute to a significant development of low-emission
economy. Such economy would use all sources effectively, it would be environmentally friendly, it would take into consideration the effort to mitigate climate change,
and it would contribute to protecting and improving the environment, the countryside, and biodiversity [1–3]. On that account, sustainability has been a phenomenon
in the recent years and it must be said that rightfully so. It is an approach that represents the future of all activities, including construction. Not only should the design be
assessed with regard to sustainability but also the process of construction, operation,
maintenance, and repairs of all structures—including the concrete ones [4].
Concrete is the most common building material all over the world. Therefore,
it represents a considerable burden to the environment, especially in terms of CO 2
D. Kocáb (B) · P. Danˇ ek · P. Žítt · T. Vymazal
Faculty of Civil Engineering, Brno University of Technology, Veveˇ rí 331/95, 602 00 Brno, Czech
Republic
e-mail: dalibor.kocab@vutbr.cz
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
Z. Zembaty et al. (eds.), Environmental Challenges in Civil
Engineering, Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering 122,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-63879-5_5
63