Concrete Technology | Alkali-Silica Reactivity (ASR) | Portland Cement Association (...

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Q: How can I test for alkali-silica reactivity (ASR)? A: Alkali-silica reactivity is the process in which certain minerals (mostly glass type silica) in the presence of
moisture are broken down by the highly alkaline environment of concrete producing a gel that expands creating tensile forces in the concrete matrix which cause cracking of the concrete. The cracking then allows more water to infiltrate into the concrete creating more gel, more expansion etc. Ultimately the concrete fails or disintegrates. Table: Test Methods for Alkali-Silica Reactivity (Source: Farny and Kerkhoff, 2007) Test Name ASTM C 227, Potential alkalireactivity of cementaggregate combinations (mortar-bar method) Purpose To test the susceptibility of cement-aggregate combinations to expansive reactions involving alkalies Type of Test Mortar bars stored over water at 37.8C (100F) and high relative humidity Duration of Test Varies: first measurement at 14 days, then 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, and 12 months; every 6 months afterthat as necessary Comments

Test may not produce significant expansion, especially for carbonate aggregate. Long test duration. Expansions may not be from AAR.

ASTM C 289, Potential alkalisilica reactivity of aggregates

To determine potential Sample reacted with reactivity of siliceous alkaline solution at aggregates 80C (176 F). To give descriptive nomenclature for themore common or important natural mineralsan aid in determining their performance To outline petrographic examination procedures for aggregatesan aid indetermining their performance To determine the potential ASR expansion of cementaggregate combinations Visual identification

24 hours

Quick results. Some aggregates give low expansions even though they have high silica content. Not reliable.

ASTM C 294, Constituents of natural mineral aggregates

Short duration as long as it These descriptions are used to takes to visually characterize naturally-occurring examine the minerals that makeup common sample aggregate sources.

ASTM C 295, Petrographic examination of aggregates for concrete ASTM C 342, Potential volume change of cementaggregate combinations ASTM C 441, Effectiveness of mineral admixtures or GBFS inpreventing excessive expansion of concrete due to alkali-silica reaction

Visual and microscopic examination of prepared samples sieve analysis, microscopy, scratch or acid tests

Short duration visual examination does not involve long test periods

Usually includes opticalmicroscopy. Also may include XRD analysis, differential thermal analysis, or infrared spectroscopysee ASTM C 294 for descriptive nomenclature.

Mortar bars stored in water at 23C (73.4 F)

52 weeks

Primarily used for aggregates from Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, and Iowa.

To determine effectiveness of supplementary cementing materials in controlling expansion from ASR

Mortar barsusing Pyrex glass as aggregatestored over water at 37.8C (100F) and high relative humidity

Varies: first measurement at 14 days, then 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, and 12 months; every 6 months after that as necessary

Highly reactive artificial aggregate may not represent real aggregate conditions. Pyrex contains alkalies.

ASTM C 856, Petrographic examination of hardened concrete

To outline petrographic examination procedures for hardened concrete useful in determining condition or performance

Visual (unmagnified) and microscopic examination of prepared samples

Short duration includes preparation of samples and visual and microscope examination Immediate results

Specimens can be examined with stereomicroscopes,polarizing microscopes, metallographic microscopes, and scanning electron microscope.

ASTM C 856 Staining of a freshly(AASHTO T 299), To identify products of exposed concrete Annex uranylASR in hardened surface and viewing

Identifies small amounts of ASR gel whether they cause expansion or not.Opal, a natural aggregate,

http://www.cement.org/tech/faq_asr.asp

06/06/2011

Concrete Technology | Alkali-Silica Reactivity (ASR) | Portland Cement Association (... Page 2 of 2

acetate treatment concrete procedure Los Alamos staining method (Powers 1999) ASTM C 1260 (AASHTO T303), Potential alkali reactivity of aggregates (mortar-bar method) ASTM C 1293, Determination of length change of concrete due to alkali-silica reaction (concrete prism test) ASTM C 1567, Potential alkalisilica reactivity of combinations of cementitious materials and aggregate (accelerated mortar-bar method)

under UV light

Staining of a freshlyTo identify products of exposedconcrete ASR in hardened surface with two concrete. different reagents. To test the potential for deleterious alkalisilica reaction of aggregate in mortar bars

Immediate results

and carbonated paste can glow interpret results accordingly.Tests must be supplemented by petrographic examination and physical tests for determining concrete expansion

Immersion of mortar bars in alkaline solution at 80C (176F)

16 days

Very fast alternative to C 227. Useful for slowly reacting aggregates or those that produce expansion late in the reaction.

To determine the potential ASR expansion of cementaggregate combinations.

Concrete prisms stored over water at 38C (100.4F)

Varies: first measurement at 7 days, then 28and 56 days, then 3,6,9,and 12 months; every 6 months as after that as necessary

Preferred method of assessment. Best represents the field. Requires long test duration for meaningful results. Use as a supplement to C 227,C 295, C 289, and C 1260. Similar to CSA A23.2-14A.

To test the potential for deleterious alkalisilica reaction of cementitious materials and aggregate combinations in mortar bars

Immersion of mortar bars in alkaline solution at 80C (176F)

16 days

Very fast alternative to C 1293. Allows for evaluation of effectiveness of supplementary cementitious materials.

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http://www.cement.org/tech/faq_asr.asp

06/06/2011