EXPEDITED LABORATORY TESTING & MITIGATION PROCEDURES FOR ALKALI-SILICA REACTION

Identifying the susceptibility of an aggregate to the alkali-silica reaction (ASR) before using it in concrete is one of the most efficient practices for preventing damage. ASTM C 1260 (mortar-bar test) and C 1293 (concrete-prism test) are two tests that have been used for the identification of ASR-susceptible aggregates. ASTM C 1260 modifications consisted of performing the test using different NaOH solution normalities. ASTM C 1293 modifications consisted of 1) increasing the storage temperature from 38 degrees C to 60 degrees C and 2) storing the concrete prisms in 1N NaOH solution at 38 degrees C. This paper presents an evaluation, a comparison, and results for these two tests and their suggested modifications. Results indicate that the levels of test results suggested in the nonmandatory information in the Appendix to C 1260 as "potentially deleterious" are achieved by many aggregates of good service record. It is suggested that C 1260 should be used in combination with C 1293. The nonmandatory information in Appendix to C 1293 on levels of expansion that should be regarded as potentially deleterious are less likely to be exceeded by aggregate with good service records them in the case of those in the Appendix to C 1260. Changing the solution normality of the C 1260 test could be used to evaluate the effect of the alkali content on ASR but does not alleviate the severity of the test for the aggregates investigated. ASTM C 1293 could be effectively accelerated to generate results within three months instead of one year by increasing the testing temperature from 38 degrees C to 60 degrees C. Mitigation alternatives were investigated using ASTM C 1260, C 1293, and accelerated C 1293. Class C and Class F fly ash, silica fume, granulated slag, calcined clay (metakaolin), lithium nitrate, entrained air, and cement alkali content were included in this study. Several of the materials proved to be cost effective. Air entrainment resulted in some decrease in expansion but was not effective in mitigating expansion.

  • Supplemental Notes:
    • Full conference proceedings available on CD-ROM.
  • Corporate Authors:

    University of Texas, Austin

    International Center for Aggregates Research, 3208 Red River
    Austin, TX  United States  78705-2650

    Texas A&M University, College Station

    Faculty Exchange Box H
    College Station, TX  United States  77843
  • Authors:
    • Touma, W E
    • Fowler, D W
    • Folliard, K
    • Nelson, N
  • Conference:
  • Publication Date: 2001

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Features: Figures; References; Tables;
  • Pagination: 21p

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00983563
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Report/Paper Numbers: Final Draft
  • Files: TRIS
  • Created Date: Dec 24 2004 12:00AM