The effects of lithium ions on chemical sequence of alkali-silica reaction

• Published in: Cement and concrete research Vol. 79; pp. 159 - 168
• Main Authors: Kim, Taehwan, Olek, Jan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Ltd 01.01.2016
• Subjects: ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES; Alkali-Aggregate Reaction (C); Alkali-silica reactions; Alkalis (C); ANIONS; Barriers; Cements; DIFFUSION BARRIERS; Formations; HYDROXIDES; Hydroxyl ions; HYPOTHESIS; INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY; LITHIUM; LITHIUM COMPOUNDS; Lithium compounds (D); LITHIUM IONS; MATERIALS SCIENCE; MATHEMATICAL SOLUTIONS; MITIGATION; Pore solution (B); Porosity; SILICA; Silicon dioxide; SOLUTIONS; SUPPORTS; SURFACES; VENTILATION BARRIERS; Alkalis (C); Lithium compounds (D); Alkali-Aggregate Reaction (C); Pore solution (B)
• ISSN: 0008-8846; 1873-3948
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cemconres.2015.09.013

This paper presents the results of the investigation on the effects of Li+ ions on the chemical and physical changes in the cementitious system undergoing alkali-silica reaction (ASR). Specifically, this paper focuses on determining which chemical steps of ASR processes are affected by the presence of Li+ ions in the pore solution in order to provide better understanding of the role of Li+ ions in the mitigation process of ASR. The results presented in this paper strongly support the hypothesis that the Li+ ions facilitate the formation of a physical barrier on the surface of reactive silica, and thus prevent further attack on the reactive sites by hydroxyl ions.