A new approach to assessing the performance of ASR inhibitors in concrete

• Published in: Materials and structures Vol. 46; no. 6; pp. 971 - 985
• Main Authors: Berra, Mario, Costa, Umberto, Mangialardi, Teresa, Paolini, Antonio E., Turriziani, Renato
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01.06.2013; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Aggregates; Alkali-silica reactions; Applied sciences; Building construction; Building Materials; Buildings. Public works; Cements; Civil Engineering; Concretes; Concretes. Mortars. Grouts; Corrosion; Durability. Pathology. Repairing. Maintenance; Effectiveness; Engineering; Exact sciences and technology; General (composition, classification, performance, standards, patents, etc.); Inhibitors; Lithium compounds; Machines; Manufacturing; Materials; Materials Science; Minerals; Original Article; Processes; Solid Mechanics; Theoretical and Applied Mechanics; Threshold alkali level (TAL); Alkali–silica reaction (ASR); Tolerable driving force (Δ; Lithium compound; ); Blended cement; Mineral addition; Performance evaluation; Addition; Methodology; Construction materials; Alkali aggregate reaction; Experimental study; Motive force; Modeling; Corrosion inhibitor; Prevention; Alkali-silica reaction (ASR); Efficiency; Cement; Concrete; Application
• ISSN: 1359-5997; 1871-6873
• DOI: 10.1617/s11527-012-9947-6

A methodological approach, based on some innovative reactivity parameters such as the threshold alkali level (TAL) of aggregates and the tolerable driving force (Δ tol ) of the deleterious expansive process associated with alkali–silica reaction (ASR), is proposed in order to assess the alkali-reactivity of aggregates and compare the effectiveness of different types of ASR inhibitors (low-alkali Portland cements, lithium compounds, and blended cements manufactured with active mineral additions). The effectiveness of the ASR inhibitors, expressed in terms of Δ tol , is related to the naturally available alkali content of concrete and the TAL of the aggregate used in the concrete mix. The potential minimum contribution of alkalis ( L im ) by a given ASR inhibitor to the concrete mix is proposed as a specific efficacy parameter. The relationships between the effective dose levels of mineral additions or lithium compounds and the efficacy parameters Δ tol and L im have also been identified. The test procedures for the experimental determination of such parameters are described and some methodology applications to published ASR expansion data are reported.