Effects of aggregate size and angularity on alkali-silica reaction

The effects of reactive aggregate size and aggregate angularity on alkali-silica reaction (ASR) were studied. An all-in natural reactive aggregate was used. The coarse aggregate particles were crushed to obtain crushed fine particles. The angularity of the aggregate was determined using ASTM C1252 and EN 933-6 methods. ASTM C1260 accelerated mortar bar test was conducted to compare the ASR expansion caused by various aggregate size fractions. The effect of the size of the particles on ASR expansion was studied by replacing each size fraction of the non-reactive aggregate with the reactive aggregate of the same size. In spite of similarity of the chemical and mineralogical compositions, the crushed aggregate caused higher ASR expansion than the natural aggregate in all size fractions. The summation of the expansions of individual reactive size fractions of both aggregates was found to be higher than that of corresponding control mixtures.     

The alkali-silica reaction in alkali-activated granulated slag mortars with reactive aggregate

The expansion of alkali-activated granulated blast furnace slag (AAS) cement mortars with reactive aggregate due to alkali-silica reaction (ASR) was investigated. The alkaline activator used was NaOH solution with 4% Na₂O (by mass of slag). These results were compared to those of ordinary portland cement (OPC) mortars. The ASTM C1260-94 Standard Test Method based on the NBRI Accelerated Test Method was followed. The nature of the ASR products was also studied by SEM/EDX. The results obtained show that the AAS cement mortars experienced expansion due to the ASR, but expansion occurs at slower rate than with OPC mortars under similar conditions. The cause of the expansion in AAS cement mortars is the formation of sodium and calcium silicate hydrate reaction products with rosette-type morphology. Finally, in order to determine potential expansion due to ASR, the Accelerated Test Method is not suitable for AAS mortars because the reaction rate is initially slow and a longer period of testing is required.     

Chemo-mechanical modeling for prediction of alkali silica reaction (ASR) expansion

The effect of the size of the aggregate on ASR expansion has already been well illustrated. This paper presents a microscopic model to analyze the development of ASR expansion of mortars containing reactive aggregate of different sizes. The attack of the reactive silica by alkali was determined through the mass balance equation, which controls the diffusion mechanism in the aggregate and the fixation of the alkali in the ASR gels. The mechanical part of the model is based on the damage theory in order to assess the decrease of stiffness of the mortar due to cracking caused by ASR and to calculate the expansion of a Representative Elementary Volume (REV) of concrete. Parameters of the model were estimated by curve fitting the expansions of four experimental mortars. The paper shows that the decrease of expansion with the size of the aggregate and the increase of the expansion with the alkali content are reproduced by the model, which is able to predict the expansions of six other mortars containing two sizes of reactive aggregate and cast with two alkali contents.     

Mechanical approach in mitigating alkali-silica reaction

The effect of steel microfibers (SMF) on alkali-silica reaction (ASR) was investigated using two types of reactive aggregates, crushed opal and a Pyrex rod of constant diameter. Cracks are less visible in the SMF mortars compared with the unreinforced mortars. Due to crack growth resistance behavior in SMF mortar specimens, the strength loss is eliminated and the ASR products remained well confined within the ASR site. The expansion and the ASR products were characterized by microprobe analysis and inductive coupled plasma (ICP) spectroscopy. The confinement due to SMF resulted in a higher Na and Si ion concentration of the ASR liquid extracted from the reaction site. The higher concentration reduced the ASR rate and resulted in a lower reactivity of the reactive Pyrex rods in SMF mortars.     

Alkali-silica reactivity of some frequently used lightweight aggregates

Lightweight aggregates (LWAs) are frequently used in concrete as well as in thermally insulating mortars and grouts, so that information on their alkali-silica reactivity (ASR) is very important. Four LWAs—expanded vermiculite, expanded clay, expanded glass and perlite—were studied regarding their ASR, using the following test methods: the accelerated mortar bar test (ASTM C 1260), the rapid chemical test (ASTM C 289) and the combined scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray technique (SEM-EDX). According to these methods, neither the expanded vermiculite nor the expanded clay exhibited any potential ASR. On the other hand, in the case of the aggregates containing a glassy phase (expanded glass and perlite), the results of SEM-EDX analysis showed serious decomposition of aggregate texture due to ASR, although no deleterious expansion was observed in the accelerated mortar bar test. Therefore, suitable test criteria for ASR need to be defined for LWAs of this type when the AMBT method is used, as has already been suggested for slowly reactive aggregates in Australia.     

Coupled effects of aggregate size and alkali content on ASR expansion

This work is a part of an overall project aimed at developing models to predict the potential expansion of concrete containing alkali-reactive aggregates. First, this paper reports experimental results concerning the effect of particle size of an alkali-reactive siliceous limestone on mortar expansion. Special attention is paid to the proportions of alkali (Na₂O_eq) in the mixtures and reactive silica in the aggregate. Results show that ASR expansion is seven times larger for coarse particles (1.25-3.15 mm) than for smaller ones (80-160 μm). In mortars for which the two size fractions were used, ASR expansion increased in almost linear proportion to the amount of coarse reactive particles, for two different alkali contents. Then, an empirical model is proposed to study correlations between the measured expansions and parameters such as the size of aggregates and the alkali and reactive silica contents. Starting with the procedure for calibrating the empirical model using the experimental program combined with results from the literature, it is shown that the expansion of a mortar containing different sizes of reactive aggregate can be assessed with acceptable accuracy.     

Test methods for determining potential alkali-silica reactivity in cements

The ASTM C227 test can be modified to develop performance tests for predicting potential alkali-silica reactivity of both portland and blended portland cements. The two methods of test investigated here differed mainly on the choice of the standard reactive aggregate, one using pyrex and the other a naturally occurring reactive silica. Low water/cement and aggregate/cement ratios were found helpful in accelerating expansion of mortar bars stored at 110F (43C). A 14-day test period was considered by the writers to be adequate for the evaluation of relative alkali-silica reactivity of a cement in the methods developed. Test data in 17 portland cements and 10 blended portland cements are reported to show that for this purpose performance tests may be more suitable than chemical specification limits.     

Effects of externally supplied lithium on the suppression of ASR expansion in mortars

Lithium salts are being externally supplied for mitigating the progress of deterioration of ASR-affected concrete structures. However, it is not clear whether the sodium or potassium in the ASR gel in concrete is replaced by the lithium supplied from the outside. In this article, we examine changes in the composition of the ASR gel, previously formed in mortar specimens, after they are immersed in LiOH solution, using backscattered electron (BSE) imaging and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, associated with length change measurement of the mortar prisms. The intrusion of lithium ions into mortar specimens containing a reactive aggregate could arrest their further expansion within a relatively short time after immersion in 0.50 N LiOH solution. The alkali ions incorporated in most ASR gels, located not far away from interfaces between the cement paste and reactive aggregate particles, appear to be replaced by the lithium ions supplied from the solution. However, the ASR gel within the reacted aggregate particles did not appear to have been affected by the lithium ions.     

Lithological influence of aggregate in the alkali-carbonate reaction

The reactivity of carbonate rock with the alkali content of cement, commonly called alkali-carbonate reaction (ACR), has been investigated. Alkali-silica reaction (ASR) can also contribute in the alkali-aggregate reaction (AAR) in carbonate rock, mainly due to micro- and crypto-crystalline quartz or clay content in carbonate aggregate. Both ACR and ASR can occur in the same system, as has been also evidenced on this paper.Carbonate aggregate samples were selected using lithological reactivity criteria, taking into account the presence of dedolomitization, partial dolomitization, micro- and crypto-crystalline quartz. Selected rocks include calcitic dolostone with chert (CDX), calcitic dolostone with dedolomitization (CDD), limestone with chert (LX), marly calcitic dolostone with partial dolomitization (CD), high-porosity ferric dolostone with clays (FD). To evaluate the reactivity, aggregates were studied using expansion tests following RILEM AAR-2, AAR-5, a modification using LiOH AAR-5Li was also tested. A complementary study was done using petrographic monitoring with polarised light microscopy on aggregates immersed in NaOH and LiOH solutions after different ages. SEM-EDAX has been used to identify the presence of brucite as a product of dedolomitization. An ACR reaction showed shrinkage of the mortar bars in alkaline solutions explained by induced dedolomitization, while an ASR process typically displayed expansion. Neither shrinkage nor expansion was observed when mortar bars were immersed in solutions of lithium hydroxide.Carbonate aggregate classification with AAR pathology risk has been elaborated based on mechanical behaviours by expansion and shrinkage. It is proposed to be used as a petrographic method for AAR diagnosis to complement the RILEM AAR1 specifically for carbonate aggregate. Aggregate materials can be classified as I (non-reactive), II (potentially reactive), and III (probably reactive), considering induced dedolomitization ACR (dedolomitization degree) and ASR.     

Effects of aggregate size and alkali content on ASR expansion

Attempts to model ASR expansion are usually limited by the difficulty of taking into account the heterogeneous nature and size range of reactive aggregates. This work is a part of an overall project aimed at developing models to predict the potential expansion of concrete containing alkali-reactive aggregates. The paper gives measurements in order to provide experimental data concerning the effect of particle size of an alkali-reactive siliceous limestone on mortar expansion. Results show that no expansion was measured on the mortars using small particles (under 80 µm) while the coarse particles (0.63-1.25 mm) gave the largest expansions (0.33%). When two sizes of aggregate were used, ASR-expansions decreased with the proportion of small particles. Models are proposed to study correlations between the measured expansions and parameters such as the size of aggregates and the alkali and reactive silica contents. The pessimum effect of reactive aggregate size is assessed and the consequences on accelerated laboratory tests are discussed.     

内养护对不同细度水泥制备的砂浆性能的影响

研究了饱和轻骨料内养护对不同细度水泥配制的砂浆自收缩、强度、水化程度、显微硬度以及界面过渡区形貌等的影响。结果发现：内养护可显著降低不同细度水泥配制的砂浆的早期自收缩,但减缩效果随着水泥比表面积增大而降低;内养护的砂浆后期自收缩仍持续增加,水泥越粗,自收缩后期增长越大;内养护能够显著促进水泥早期水化,这种促进作用在细水泥中最显著。在相同条件下,轻骨料的引入对砂浆强度的影响作用与水泥细度有关;显微硬度以及界面过渡区微观形貌结果显示,轻骨料内养护能显著改善粗水泥体系微观结构,对细水泥体系微观结构的改善则无显著贡献。     

Effect of epoxy resin on the intrinsic properties of masonry mortars

The paper presents an assessment on the properties of three different types of masonry mortars, namely Portland cement mortar (CM), polymer cement mortar (PCM) and polymer mortar (PM) of various compositions. The effect of binder content (cement and/or epoxy) on CM, PCM or PM has been explored in the study. An assessment was carried out on the basis of mechanical (compressive, tensile and flexural strength), physical (water uptake, chloride ion permeability), morphological (porosity) and thermal (coefficient of thermal expansion) properties of the mortars. A comparative cost analysis of the mortars is also discussed in this article. The results show that the mechanical strength of both PCM and PM improves markedly with the addition of epoxy resin, and the higher rate of incremental strength is found for PM. Consequently, the chloride ion penetration, water uptake, porosity and thermal expansion of the mortars decrease significantly with the resin content, but the rate of drop in chloride ion penetration, water uptake, porosity and thermal expansion is much higher for PM. The test results indicate that the variation of binder content (epoxy/cement) is found to be the key factor determining the mortar properties and cost.     

Demonstration of microwave method for detection of alkali–silica reaction (ASR) gel in cement-based materials

Microwave methods have previously shown success in detecting changes in moisture content and binding (e.g., bound water vs. free water) in cement-based materials through extensive analysis of their reflection coefficient. Here, the novel use of microwave measurements is demonstrated to distinguish between mortars containing alkali–silica reactive (ASR) aggregate and non-reactive aggregate. The variations in measurements are linked to the production of ASR gel and its tendency to attract free water from its environment. This paper presents the analysis and results of the interaction of microwave signals with ASR gel-producing mortar samples and those without the ASR gel.     

Effect of the cement chemistry and the sample size on ASR expansion of concrete exposed to salt

Mortar bars and concrete prisms made with a very alkali-silica reactive limestone were stored at 38 °C in 1 M NaOH and NaCl solutions. A high-alkali (HA) cement and a low-alkali (LA) cement were used in order to evaluate the cement chemical composition on the expansion and on the chemistry of the pore water. The mortar bars immersed in 1 M NaOH presented much more expansion than mortar bars stored at 100% RH or in 1 M NaCl. The behaviour of the concrete prisms was completely different. Low expansion was obtained for concrete prisms made with the LA cement immersed for more than 5 years in 1 M NaCl solution, while the expansion was over 0.45% for concrete prisms made with the HA cement. Chemical equilibrium between the pore waters and the immersion solution was much longer to obtain for the concrete prisms (near 3 years) than for the mortar bars (less than 3 months). The results obtained in this study show that the type of sample used (mortar bars or concrete prisms) and the cement composition strongly influence the harmful effects of ASR in concrete exposed to salt.     

激发剂对碱矿渣水泥砂浆中碱-硅酸反应的影响

采用硅酸钠溶液为激发剂制备碱矿渣(AAS)水泥砂浆,在80 ℃的1 mol/L氢氧化钠溶液中养护以加速碱-硅酸反应(ASR)进程,研究了激发剂碱含量和硅酸盐模数对ASR膨胀破坏的影响。结果表明,AAS砂浆中出现了危险性ASR膨胀破坏。激发剂中Na₂O掺量大于4%(质量分数)时,砂浆在14 d龄期的ASR膨胀率超过0.1%,且当激发剂硅酸盐模数在1.2~2.0范围内时膨胀率更大。ASR产物主要分布在集料颗粒表面与AAS凝胶相接触的界面区,附近可观测到明显的裂缝扩展。ASR膨胀破坏同时引发了砂浆抗压强度损失。     

Effects of lithium salts on ASR gel composition and expansion of mortars

Suppression of alkali-silica reaction (ASR) expansion in mortar and concrete by the addition of lithium salts has been confirmed by some workers. It has been revealed that lithium hydroxide tended to reduce the reaction between sodium or potassium hydroxide and reactive silica, and that the ASR gel incorporating lithium was less expansive. However, it has not been reported how the addition of a lithium salt influenced the composition of the ASR gel. The calcium in ASR gel is considered to play an important role in the expansion of the gel. Thus, it is significant to characterize ASR gel composition in mortars containing lithium salts by BSE-EDS analysis. This study aims to discuss the mechanisms of suppression of ASR expansion in mortar by lithium salts from the viewpoint of ASR gel composition. The average CaO/SiO₂ ratio in ASR gels decreased with increasing amount of added lithium salts. It should be noted that the extent of variations in the CaO/SiO₂ ratio in ASR gels significantly decreased with increasing amount of lithium salts. The addition of relatively small amounts of LiOH and Li₂CO₃ resulted in increased expansion. We also obtained an unexpected result that ASR gels became homogeneous with respect to their CaO contents at high dosage levels. However, the reduction in average CaO/SiO₂ ratios and the homogenization in the CaO content of ASR gels due to the addition of lithium salts may not be related to the expansion of mortars.     

Delayed ettringite formation symptoms on mortars induced by high temperature due to cement heat of hydration or late thermal cycle

Cases of delayed ettringite formation (DEF) have mainly been detected on mortars or precast concretes steam-cured according to a predefined temperature cycle during hydration. The present study shows that other situations in which the material is submitted to a temperature cycle can induce DEF expansions. Mortar bars were made with three different cements (types 10, 20M, and 30). As a first heat treatment, the mortar bars were steam-cured to reproduce the temperature cycle they would undergo if they were at the center of a large mortar member. The dimensional variations of these specimens were studied for 1 year. After 1 year, half of the specimens were steam-cured for 1 month at 85 °C. The expansions were followed for two more years. The early-age steam-cure-induced expansions for mortar types 10 and 30. Late steam-curing induced expansions for the three cements tested. In one case (cement type 20M), the early-age steam cure has suppressed or delayed the expansion induced by the late steam cure. A scanning electron microscopy (SEM) study showed that typical DEF symptoms are associated with the expansions.     

碱矿水泥砂浆的碱集料反应膨胀研究

通过测长试验,研究了三类碱矿渣水泥（ＡＡＳＣ）砂浆的碱集料反应（ＡＡＲ）引起的膨胀,分析了碱组分种类、碱质量分数、活性集料质量分数和矿种类等因素对ＡＡＳＣ砂浆ＡＡＲ膨胀率的影响,综合宏观和微观测试结果,探讨了碱矿渣混凝土的碱集料反应机理,结果表明,ＡＡＳＣ系统出现危险性碱集料反应的可能性远低于普通水泥系统 。     

The influence of potassium-sodium ratio in cement on concrete expansion due to alkali-aggregate reaction

In concrete containing potentially reactive aggregates, deleterious alkali-aggregate-reaction (AAR) can be prevented by the use of suitable mineral admixtures or by limiting cement content and alkalis (Na₂O-equivalent) of the cement. However, the Na₂O-equivalent of cement may not always accurately define the potential of cement to cause AAR. In this study, the potential reactivity of concrete produced with cements having similar Na₂O-equivalents but different K/Na-ratios has been measured and the composition of gel has been analyzed. Additionally, pastes and mortars have been produced to study the development of pore solution composition.The expansion of the concrete mixtures shows significant differences depending on the cement used. The different K/Na-ratio present in the cements is reflected in the pore solution of pastes and mortars and in the gel present in aggregates of the concrete mixtures. As the hydroxide concentration in the pore solutions of pastes and mortars produced with the different cements is nearly identical, the difference in K/Na-ratio has to be the reason for the observed differences in concrete expansion.     

Use of limestone obtained from waste of the mussel cannery industry for the production of mortars

Various types of cement−SiO₂−CaCO₃ mortar were prepared by replacing quarry limestone aggregate with limestone obtained as a by-product from waste of the mussel cannery industry. The CaCO₃ aggregate consists mainly of elongated prismatic particles less than 4 μm long rather than of the rounded particles of smaller size (2-6 μm) obtained with quarry limestone. The mechanical and structural properties of the mortars were found to be influenced by aggregate morphology. Setting of the different types of mortar after variable curing times was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TG) and mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) techniques. Mortars with a high content in mussel shell limestone exhibited a more packed microstructure, which facilitates setting of cement and results in improved mortar strength. The enhanced mechanical properties of the new mortars allow the cement content in the final mortar composition to be decreased and production costs to be reduced as a result.