APPLICATION OF STANDARD TESTING PROCEDURES FOR ALKALI-REACTIVITY. PART 2

The author investigates the mortar bar test described in ASTM C227-71 showing that it can give misleading results, as some rocks such as metamorphic quartz and some carbonates exhibit slow but progressive expansion. Expansion likely to occur in repeated wetting and drying conditions can also be underestimated. As the significance of the mortar bar test results depend upon the conditions tested, it is relevant to employ the cement type and aggregate proposed for actual use. The ASTM C586-69 rock cylinder test works well for North American dolomites, but results for Middle Eastern reactive carbonates are more difficult to interpret. After many months some show a small but progressive expansion. The effectiveness of preventive measures such as the use of low-alkali cement and the addition of fly-ash and slag is difficult to assess. Alkali-reactivity can be detected in concrete, but the assessment of the importance and state of progress is almost impossible. Part I of this arrticle no 349115) appeared in the October 1981 issue of Concrete. The 29 common references are divided between the two articles. (TRRL)

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00105317
• Corporate Authors:

  Cement and Concrete Association

  Wexham Spring
  Slough SL3 6PL, Buckinghamshire,   England 
• Authors:
  • Sims, I
• Publication Date: 1981-11

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos; References;
• Pagination: p. 29-32
• Serial:
  • CONCRETE
  • Volume: 15
  • Issue Number: 11
  • Publisher: THE CONCRETE SOCIETY
  • ISSN: 0010-5317

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aggregates; Alkali; Carbonates; Cement; Chemical reactions; Chemical reactivity; Concrete; Dolomite; Errors; Fly ash; Materials tests; Quartz; Slag; Specifications; Standards; Test procedures
• Uncontrolled Terms: Aggregate testing
• Old TRIS Terms: Alkalies
• ITRD Terms: 4577: Aggregate; 7353: Alkali; 4755: Concrete; 6440: Error; 7156: Reaction (chem); 187: Specification (standard); 177: Specifications; 6288: Test method
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways; I36: Aggregates;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00349116
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: May 28 1982 12:00AM