Date of Award

Spring 2026

Document Type

Restricted Thesis

Terms of Use

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Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

Engineering Department

First Advisor

Sintana E. Vergara

Abstract

Concrete sidewalks in northeastern climates are frequently exposed to freeze–thaw cycles that accelerate cracking, surface deterioration, and long-term structural damage. The goal of this project was to identify a concrete mix design that provides high durability and low cost for sidewalks in cold-climate regions. To improve freeze–thaw performance, six concrete mix designs incorporating supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs), specifically fly ash and slag, along with air-entraining and water-reducing admixtures, were evaluated and compared to a Portland cement control mix.

The project was completed through aggregate characterization, mix design calculations, concrete batching, curing, and compressive strength testing conducted according to ASTM and ACI standards. Compressive strength was used as a practical indicator of durability, and the concrete samples were cured for approximately 28 days before testing in a universal testing machine (UTM).

The results showed that mixes containing admixtures achieved higher compressive strength than those without. In addition, slag-based mixes generally outperformed fly ash mixes in terms of compressive strength. Mix 5, which incorporated slag and admixtures, achieved the highest compressive strength, while Mix 6, the original design, provided the best balance between strength, consistency, and cost. The project successfully met the primary design requirements of improving freeze–thaw durability while maintaining practical cost considerations. The total project cost was approximately $450.

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