Highly concentrated de-icing agents, in particular, alkaline earth chlorides, can cause damage to concrete over longer periods of time even without the action of frost. At the Research Institute of the Cement Industry in Düsseldorf, Germany, investigations were carried out on the potential of various de-icing agent solutions to damage concrete paving blocks. The findings of laboratory tests show that concrete pavers with sufficient cement content and a low equivalent water/cement ratio exhibit high resistance to frost and de-icing agents. No significant damage occurred with concentrated alkaline earth chloride solutions.
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