Which of the following is a recognized sign of freeze-thaw distress on concrete decks?

• A. Cracking
• B. Rust staining
• C. Patch repairs
• D. Delamination

Answer: (A)

Freeze-thaw distress shows up as cracking because water that infiltrates the concrete freezes, expands, and creates tensile stresses that crack the surface. Repeated freezing and thawing cycles propagate and widen these cracks, making cracking the most recognizable and direct sign on a concrete deck. Rust staining points to reinforcing steel corrosion and isn’t the freeze-thaw symptom itself. Patch repairs are fixes, not signs of distress. Delamination can occur under certain conditions but isn’t the primary indicator of freeze-thaw damage; it reflects a bond or moisture issue beneath a surface rather than the surface cracking caused by freezing action.