Which mechanical consequence results when water permeates the void space within concrete during prolonged freeze-thaw cycles?

💡 Explanation

When water within concrete freezes, volumetric expansion occurs because ice occupies a larger volume than liquid water, exerting tensile stress exceeding the concrete's tensile strength, leading to cracking. Therefore tensile cracking due to ice expansion results, rather than creep, shear failure or spalling, which involve different stress conditions.

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