Chapter 2 alkalisilica reaction guidelines for the use. Alkalisilica reaction in concrete with previously inert. Under adverse conditions, the volume of the alkali silicate gel may gradually expand to such an extent as to cause localised swelling pressure. Mitigation techniques from various states in the nal organizations, were assessed and summarized. The depolymerization of silica in sodium hydroxide. Silica dissolution related to the alkalisilica reaction. Alkaliaggregate reaction aar of concrete structures. The reactionleads to the formation of a gel which absorbs water and expandsleading to damaging expansions and cracking in the concrete. The term alkalisilica reaction is somewhat misleading the reaction itself is actually between the ohions in the pore solution and certain siliceous components of the aggregates.
The alkalisilica reaction asr is a chemical deterioration of concrete that involves reactive forms of silica. Admixtures for reducing alkalisilica reactivity alkalisilica reactivity asr is a reaction that occurs in concrete between soluble alkalis in the cement paste and reactive silica present in certain types of aggregates. Alkali aggregate reaction topic american concrete institute. In asr, aggregates containing certain forms of silica will react with alkali hydroxide in concrete to form a gel that swells as it adsorbs water from the surrounding. The term alkali silica reaction is somewhat misleading the reaction itself is actually between the ohions in the pore solution and certain siliceous components of the aggregates.
It occurs when the alkaline pore fluid and siliceous minerals in some aggregates react to form a calcium alkali silicate gel. Since the 1940s, considerable research has been developed to. Mathematical model for kinetics of alkalisilica reaction in concrete zdene. Alkalisilica reaction asr is the most common form of alkaliaggregate reaction. Asr originates when reactive silica sio 2 is present in the aggregate, which under wet conditions can react with alkaline ions in the concrete pore solution fournier and berube, 2000. Aggregates constitute about threequarter of the volume of concrete, and therefore their physical and chemical properties need to be correctly assessed before their use in concrete. Premature failure of concrete structures economic costs maintenance cost increased the life of concrete structure is reduced overall result no concrete structures had collapsed due to asr damage some concrete structuresmembers were demolished because of asr. The alkali silica reaction in concrete swamy, r n on. Alkalisilica reaction asr is the chemical reaction that occurs between alkali cations and hydroxyl ions in the pore solution of hydrated cement paste and certain reactive silica phases present in the aggregates used in concrete. The effects of supplementary cementitious materials on alkali. Mathematical model for kinetics of alkalisilica reaction in.
This report gathers the stateoftheart in alkali silica reaction asr in concrete, an. Alkali aggregate reactions can be either alkali carbonate reactions acrs or alkali silica reactions asrs. The influence of calcium on silica dissolution and the formation of reaction products article pdf available in journal of the american ceramic society 944. The alkalisilica reaction asr, more commonly known as concrete cancer, is a swelling reaction that occurs over time in concrete between the highly alkaline cement paste and the reactive noncrystalline silica found in many common aggregates, given sufficient moisture. Under adverse conditions, the volume of the alkali silicate gel may gradually expand to such an extent as to cause localised. What is alkalisilica reaction asr and how can i recognise it. The effects of supplementary cementitious materials on. The term premature concrete deterioration pcd has been adopted to refer to problems associated with asr and def because it.
A process in which silica found in aggregate in the presence of moisture, is broken down by alkalis. Thermodynamic properties of substances the solubility of the substances periodic table of elements. Alkalisilica reaction in concrete understanding cement. Alkali silica reaction asr is the chemical reaction that occurs between alkali cations and hydroxyl ions in the pore solution of hydrated cement paste and certain reactive silica phases present in the aggregates used in concrete. Jan 20, 2009 the use of surplus waste glass in concrete has been avoided on the grounds that it is known to undergo harmful alkali silica reaction asr. Gnar, unioersity oj ill in ois, urba n a, i i i i nois.
This mineral was selected to repre sent the siliceous component of the asrprone aggregate because it is known for its reactivity. Asr can cause serious expansion and cracking in concrete. Alkaliaggregate reaction aar has been identified as one of the major deterioration problems in concrete structures. Alkalisilica reactivity, alkaliaggregate reaction, reactive aggregates, asr, concrete. What is alkali silica reaction asr and how can i recognise it. Civil engineering department the university of texas at austin david fowler, ph. Alkali silica reaction under the influence of chloride based deicers a thesis presented to the graduate school of clemson university in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree master of science civil engineering by purvi desai august 2010 accepted by. Asr is the specific type of alkali aggregate reaction that is of concern in new zealand. Testing methods and mitigation alternatives by wissam touma, ph.
Assrnecr the ormation of mullite from mixtures different varieties alumina and silica was. These metrics are regularly updated to reflect usage leading up to the last few days. Alkaliaggregate reaction portland cement association. This mineral was selected to repre sent the siliceous component of the asr prone aggregate because it is known for its reactivity. The reactivity of the aggregate amount and type of reactive silica minerals present. This reaction produces a hygroscopic gel, which absorbs water and swells, causing cracking to occur as tension builds in the concrete structure.
In 1992 a first edition entitled the alkalisilica reaction in concrete, edited. Tr 3 alkali silica reaction minimising the risk of damage to concrete guidance notes and recommended practice second edition acknowledgements investigations and research in alkali aggregate reaction conducted by industrial research limited formerly dsir chemistry and opus. Alkalisilicareaction asr is a result of reaction between the alkalinepore solution and reactive silica in the aggregate. Mathematical model for kinetics of alkalisilica reaction. Stanton in 1940 stanton 1940, is the chemical reaction between reactive silica in aggregates and hydroxyl ions from pore solution of cement paste. The alkalisilica reaction asr, which was firstly reported by t. Citations are the number of other articles citing this article, calculated by crossref and updated daily. Civil engineering department the university of texas at austin and ramon carrasquillo, ph. David stark construction technology laboratories, inc. Alkalisilica reaction asr is a chemical reaction in either concrete or mortar between hydroxyl ions of the alkalis sodium and potassium from.
The depolymerization of silica in sodium hydroxide solutions. After the first identification of asr in the 1930s by stanton 1, the chemistry of the reaction has been extensively studied and adequately understood. Multiaxially loaded concrete undergoing alkalisilica. Alkalisilica reaction asr is a chemical reaction between the alkalis in portland cement and certain types of silica minerals present in some aggregates.
Alkali silica reaction in concrete alkali silica reaction asr can cause serious expansion and cracking in concrete, resulting in major structural problems and sometimes necessitating demolition. The reaction can occur years after the concrete was placed. Thomas, published 2015 the alkalisilica reaction in concrete by r. Factors that affect the rate and severity of asr include. Length change of concrete due to alkalisilica reaction. The term premature concrete deterioration pcd has been adopted to refer to problems associated with asr and def because it is often difficult to distinguish between them. This usually occurs between the highly alkaline portland cement and the various siliceous substances contained in the aggregate. Article views are the countercompliant sum of full text article downloads since november 2008 both pdf and html across all institutions and individuals.
Alkalisilica reactivity asr was first identified as a cause of the expan sion and cracking of concrete in california by stanton 1940. Acr is a serious, but fortunately rare, variety of. The effect of monovalent and bivalent cations on the surface charge of opal, cement and concrete research, 933934, 2003. Sposito the effects of potassium and rubidium hydroxide on the alkalisilica reaction, cement and concrete research, volume. This produces an expansive gel after the cement has set, which then causes internal pressure leading to expansion and cracking of the concrete. The use of surplus waste glass in concrete has been avoided on the grounds that it is known to undergo harmful alkalisilica reaction asr. The properties and qualities of the silica and its environment may affect its solubility under the given conditions. The effects of supplementary cementitious materials on alkali silica reaction. The kinetics of silicawater reactions sciencedirect. The alkalies, specifically sodium and potassium, do not actually attack the reactive silica.
Filling the cracks and air voids is white alkalisilica gel. Alkali silica reaction is the deleterious chemical reaction between some siliceous minerals in the aggregate and the alkalinity of the concrete. Class c fly ash, alkali silica reactivity, asr abstract. Erlin crosssection of concrete cracks caused by alkalireactive chert and strained quartz.
Alkalisilica reaction asr prohibitinguse of class c fly ash. Alkali aggregate reaction aar has been identified as one of the major deterioration problems in concrete structures. However, alkali also may be present in pozzolans, aggregate, admixtures, and mix water used to make the concrete. Alkalisodium, potassium, and lithiumare generally introduced into concrete weakly bonded to hydroxyl ions, oh, by the cement. Preventing alkali silica reaction and delayed ettringite formation in new concrete introduction the state of texas has been widely impacted by materialsrelated distress in various transportation structures.
Alkaliaggregate reactions can be either alkalicarbonate reactions acrs or alkalisilica reactions asrs. In a model system for alkalisilica reaction consisting of microsilica, portlandite 040 mass%, and 1m alkaline solutions naoh, koh, the influence of calcium on silica dissolution and on. Alkali silica reaction alkali silica reaction asr in concrete is a reaction between certain silicious constituents in the aggregate and the alkali sodium and potassium hydroxide which are released during the hydration of portland cement. Alkali silica reaction an overview sciencedirect topics. The most prevalent type of aar is the alkali silica reaction asr. Using class c fly ash to mitigate alkali silica reactions in concrete bruce c. Alkalisilica reaction asr is a persistent issue and has evaded eradication for nearly 80 years. This is a short introduction to asr for more information, see the understanding cement bookebook. Standard test method for potential alkalisilica reactivity. Current understanding of the reaction mechanisms and the knowledge gaps, farshad rajabipour, eric giannini, cyrille dunant, jason h ideker, and michael d. Using class c fly ash to mitigate alkali silica reactions. Alkalisilica reaction and delayed ettringite formation.
This distress has been mainly attrib uted to alkali silica reaction asr and delayed ettringite formation def and. The most prevalent type of aar is the alkalisilica reaction asr. The alkalisilica reaction in concrete swamy, r n on. Alkalisilica reaction in concrete containing glass. Silica is an amphoteric material, which means that it dissolves at extreme ph values in. Chapter 2 alkalisilica reaction guidelines for the use of. Effects of sodium ions on synthesized alkali silica. The reaction mechanism consists of several successive steps. As part of a research project to develop draft specifications for glass in concrete, a major asr testing programme was undertaken to establish appropriate use of glass in concrete which avoided harmful asr. Alkalisilica reaction alkalisilica reaction asr in concrete is a reaction between certain silicious constituents in the aggregate and the alkalisodium and potassium hydroxide which are released during the hydration of portland cement. The key point in the al kalisilica reaction is the hydrous dissolution of silica in the presence of dissolved na andor k at high ph, commonly obtaining in. The problem stems from a lack of standardized testing of aggregates. In acr, the reaction is between the alkalies sodium and potassium and certain carbonate rocks, particularly calcitic dolomite and dolomitic limestones, present in some aggregates. Preventing alkalisilica reaction and delayed ettringite.
Alkalisilica reactivity, better known as asr, has openly been with us since the early1940s when it was discovered in california and publicized by t. The new zealand construction industry often refers to alkali aggregate reaction aar instead of alkali silica reaction asr. Alkali silica reaction asr is the most common form of alkali aggregate reaction. A macro scale expansion caused by asr can lead to structural degradation of concrete. Sufficient alkali reactive silica eactive grega alkalies in pore solution eactive ggrega si02 alkalies breakdown aggregate and release reactive silica asr gel alkalies silica reacts with alkalies and absorbs water to produce expansive asr gel sufficient moisture. In asr, the reaction is between alkalies and certain siliceous rocks or minerals, such as opaline chert.
Alkali silica reaction asr and delayed ettringite formation def, or combinations of the two, have been found to be the main causes of these problems. Alkali silica reaction asr can cause serious expansion and cracking in concrete, resulting in major structural problems and sometimes necessitating demolition. Alkali silica reaction under the influence of chloride based. The key point in the al kali silica reaction is the hydrous dissolution of silica in the presence of dissolved na andor k at high ph, commonly obtaining in opc concrete. Sodium hydroxide react with silicon dioxide to produce sodium silicate and water. This can result in major structural problems, which can lead to costly removal and replacement. Alkalisilica reaction asr and delayed ettringite formation def, or combinations of the two, have been found to be the main causes of these problems. Under certain circumstances, the formation of the gel can cause expansion and, eventually, cracking of the concrete. Cases occur when changes in material properties lead to potentially reactive aggregates reacting with higher alkali cements. Topics on alkalisilica reaction development bureau. Alkali silica reaction under the influence of chloride. An overview of research richard helmuth construction technology laboratories, inc. The concentration of silica in the acidified samples was determined by the molybdate blue method govett.