Methods of Evaluating Frost Resistance Rate and degree of absorption have been used for many years as a means of predicting durability of concrete to frost damage. The tests are simple and inexpensive but, unfortunately, they yield very poor correlation with field performance. The generally accepted method of test is the freeze-thaw cycling of concrete specimens. This is essentially a simulation of natural cycling, except that it is more rapid and gives results in reasonable time. Rate of deterioration is usually determined by measuring resonant frequencies from which the dynamic modulus can be calculated.
Weight loss is another but less reliable measure.
The freeze-thaw cycling test gives results that permit reasonably good assessment of the field performance that can be expected of a particular concrete mix. It has, however, several drawbacks. Equipment is fairly expensive and there are not many Canadian agencies with such facilities. It has not been possible to standardize such factors as rate of cycling, minimum freezing temperatures, reference materials, and whether freezing should take place in air or in water. The test takes a month or more.