Crushed carbonate aggregate from active southwestern Ontario quarries was tested to determine the effect of common de-icing salt on the water sorption of the rock under low and high humidity conditions, and under immersion.

The sorption of the rocks was compared under normal, untreated conditions, and after immersion in 3% sodium chloride solution. At 45% RH, 30°C, no significant change was observed. At 98% RH, 30°C, the salted rocks adsorbed approximately twice the amount of water. The water intake under immersion conditions was 1.13 times greater for the salted rocks. The degree of saturation increased approximately 13%.

The enhanced water content of aggregates that have been exposed to de-icing salts increases the rock's susceptibility to deterioration.

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