In this study, sidewalk sections were made in the field using seven concrete mixtures, applying a finishing and curing practice that is commonly used in Montréal, Canada. For each of the sidewalk sections, large slabs (1.2 m × 1.2 m) were cast from which specimens were cored and tested in the laboratory for determining their basic mechanical properties and deicing salt scaling resistance following ASTM C672 test procedures. Also, during the casting of the sidewalk, companion specimens were cast on site, using concrete from the same batch, and were subjected to the same tests as the “cored” specimens. The resistance to deicing salt scaling of these “laboratory specimens” was evaluated according to ASTM C672 and to BNQ NQ 2621–900 (2002 standard of the province of Quebec, Canada) test procedures. The results were compared with the performance of the sidewalk sections after four winters of outdoor exposure. The visual evaluation of the sidewalks after four winters has confirmed the severity of the ASTM C672 procedure and the adequateness of the BNQ procedure to better evaluate the deicing salt scaling resistance of concrete made with supplementary cementing materials (SCMs). The field evaluation should, however, continue for a longer period of time to increase the confidence in the BNQ test or to allow for changes as needed.
Effect of finishing practices on surface structure and salt-scaling resistance of concrete