Concrete Technology: Diagnosis and Control of Alkali-Aggregate Reactions in Concrete

Aggregates containing certain constituents can react with alkali hydroxides in concrete. The reactivity is potentially harmful only when it produces significant expansion. This alkali-aggregate reactivity (AAR) has two forms--alkali-silica reaction (ASR) and alkali-carbonate reaction (ACR, sometimes called alkali-carbonate rock reaction, or ACRR). ASR is of more concern than ACR because the occurrence of aggregates containing reactive silica materials is more common. Alkali-reactive carbonate aggregates have a specific composition that is not very common. Alkali-silica reactivity has been recognized as a potential source of distress in concrete since the late 1930s. Even though potentially reactive aggregates exist throughout North America, ASR distress in structural concrete is not common. There are a number of reasons for this: Most aggregates are chemically stable in hydraulic cement concrete; Aggregrates with good service records are abundant in many areas; The concrete in service is dry enough to inhibit ASR; The use of certain pozzolans or slags control ASR; In many concrete mixtures, the alkali content of the concrete is low enough to control harmful ASR and; Some forms of ASR do not produce significant deleterious expansion. To reduce ASR potential requires understanding the ASR mechanism; properly using test to identify potentially reactive aggregates; and, if needed, taking steps to minimize the potential for expansion and related cracking. Alkali-carbonate reaction in concrete was not documented until 1957. Although ACR is much less common, this report also briefly reviews the mechanism, visual distress symptoms, identification tests, and control measures.

• Record URL:
  • http://www.cement.org/bookstore/profile.asp?itemid=IS413
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/0893121460
• Corporate Authors:

  American Concrete Pavement Association

  5420 Old Orchard Road, Suite A100
  Skokie, IL  United States  60077

  National Ready Mixed Concrete Association

  900 Spring Street
  Silver Spring, MD  United States  20910

  Portland Cement Association

  5420 Old Orchard Road
  Skokie, IL  United States  60077
• Authors:
  • Farny, James A
  • Kerkhoff, Beatrix
• Publication Date: 2007

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 25p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Admixtures; Alkali aggregate reactions; Alkali carbonate reactions; Alkali silica reactions; Concrete pavements; Cracking; Expansion; Hydraulic cement; Pavement distress; Pozzolan; Reactive aggregates; Slag; Tests
• Uncontrolled Terms: Alkali content
• Subject Areas: Highways; Materials; I32: Concrete;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01054775
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0893121460
• Report/Paper Numbers: PCA R&D Serial No. 2071b, IS413.02
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 1 2007 7:43AM