LABORATORY INVESTIGATION OF LITHIUM-BEARING COMPOUNDS FOR USE IN CONCRETE

Lithium nitrate and lithium hydroxide were evaluated in the laboratory to examine their effectiveness in controlling expansions resulting from alkali-silica reaction (ASR) and their effect on concrete properties. The lithium compounds were more effective in highly accelerated tests using Pyrex as the aggregate than in concrete prism tests using a reactive Virginia aggregate. The effective dosage of lithium nitrate in the concrete prism test was higher than that typically recommended. Lithium nitrate had a benign effect on the concrete properties of strength, electrical resistance, drying shrinkage, and resistance to freezing and thawing. Similar results were obtained with lithium hydroxide, with the exception of a retarding effect on strength development. Additional research is needed to delineate an appropriate protocol for determining the dosage of lithium admixture needed for effective control of a given concrete mixture. Using current sources of fly ash and slag is more effective in addressing the Virginia Department of Transportation's problems with ASR than is using lithium admixtures.

• Record URL:
  http://virginiadot.org/vtrc/main/online_reports/pdf/02-r16.pdf
• Record URL:
  http://www.virginiadot.org/vtrc/main/online_reports/pdf/02-r16.pdf
• 
• Record URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/15506
• Corporate Authors:

  Virginia Transportation Research Council

  530 Edgemont Road
  Charlottesville, VA  United States  22903

  Virginia Department of Transportation

  Office of Public Affairs, 1221 East Broad Street
  Richmond, VA  United States  23219
• Authors:
  • Lane, D S
• Publication Date: 2002-6

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 22 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alkali silica reactions; Concrete; Drying; Freeze thaw durability; Laboratory tests; Lithium compounds; Resistance (Electricity); Shrinkage; Strength of materials
• Uncontrolled Terms: Lithium hydroxide; Lithium nitrate
• Subject Areas: Highways; Materials; I32: Concrete;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00929174
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: VTRC 02-R16,, Final Report,, Project No. 0000021510
• Files: NTL, TRIS, ATRI, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Aug 12 2002 12:00AM