DELAYED ETTRINGITE FORMATION VERSUS ALKALI-SILICA REACTION

The article presents a summary of the legal case entitled Lone Star Industries, Inc. versus Lafarge Corp. and Lafarge Canada, Inc. Lone Star manufactured approximately 500,000 railroad ties using a combination of crushed-rock aggregate, Type III moderate high-alkali cement, and manual steam curing. The cement was supplied by defendant, Lafarge. The railroad ties developed external cracking due to internal expansion. The dispute focussed on a disagreement between the parties' expert witnesses as to whether the cause of the expansion in the railroad ties was delayed ettringite formation (DEF) or alkali-silica reaction (ASR). The experts for the plaintiff argued that the cracking was caused by DEF, as a result of the chemical composition of the cement supplied by Lafarge. The experts for the defendant testified that the cracking was due instead to the steam curing methods used by the plaintiffs, which resulted in ASR in the cement. Ultimately a jury found for Lafarge on all Lone Star's claims except for the claim of breach of express warranty.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/4163061
• Corporate Authors:

  American Concrete Institute (ACI)

  38800 Country Club Drive
  Farmington Hills, MI  United States  48331
• Authors:
  • Coleman, J W
• Publication Date: 2001-7

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: p. 76-77
• Serial:
  • Concrete International
  • Volume: 23
  • Issue Number: 7
  • Publisher: American Concrete Institute (ACI)
  • ISSN: 0162-4075

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aggregates; Alkali silica reactions; Cement; Cement content; Cracking; Ettringite; Litigation; Railroad ties; Steam curing; Trials
• Identifier Terms: Lafarge Canada, Incorporated; Lafarge Corporation; Lone Star Industries, Incorporated
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways; Law; Materials; Railroads; I32: Concrete;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00816620
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Sep 26 2001 12:00AM