Freeze and thaw is common in Sweden and causes water within outdoor concrete structures to freeze leading to structural and superficial damage. Concrete, being a porous material, allows the entry of water, which in the presence of frost can affect the concrete mechanical properties during its technical life even more when it simultaneously faces mechanical loading.

Assessing the structural performance of concrete when exposed to freeze-thaw is important knowledge for Swedish concrete producers who are working towards sustainability by attempting full-scale implementation of recycled concrete structures. Moreover, freeze-thaw resistance is one of the properties used to characterize recycled aggregates and create their market potential.