The Effectiveness of Different Additives on Concrete’s Freeze–Thaw Durability: A Review

Abstract

Enhancing concrete’s resilience against freeze–thaw (F-T) cycles is a critical challenge in civil engineering, especially in cold climates, where repeated freezing and thawing lead to structural degradation. This review explores the effectiveness of various additives, including supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) and chemical admixtures, in improving concrete durability under F-T conditions. Factors influencing F-T resistance include the type and percentage of SCM replacement, the water–cement ratio, pore structure refinement, and air entrainment. The mechanisms by which additives enhance the durability—such as reducing the permeability, improving the microstructure, and increasing the compressive strength—are examined through an extensive review of experimental studies. The findings indicate that manufactured additives, such as silica fume, metakaolin, nano-SiO2, and graphene oxide, significantly enhance the F-T durability by densifying the concrete matrix and mitigating internal damage. In contrast, natural additives, including rice husk ash and zeolite, show potential but require optimization to match the performance of industrial SCMs. Additionally, the preparation and treatment methods of these materials play a crucial role in their effectiveness. This review provides insights into optimizing concrete formulations to enhance the longevity and sustainability, offering practical recommendations for the use of SCMs in cold climates