Title:
Effectiveness of Lithium-Based Products in Concrete Made with Canadian Natural Aggregates Susceptible to Alkali-Silica Reactivity
Author(s):
Charles Tremblay, Marc-André Bérubé, Benoit Fournier, Michael D. A. Thomas, and Kevin J. Folliard
Publication:
Materials Journal
Volume:
104
Issue:
2
Appears on pages(s):
195-205
Keywords:
aggregate; alkali-silica reaction; lithium
DOI:
10.14359/18583
Date:
3/1/2007
Abstract:
To evaluate the effectiveness of lithium-based products to counteract alkali-silica reaction (ASR), a total of 87 concrete mixtures were made incorporating 12 reactive aggregates of various types and degrees of ASR, and using various dosages of LiNO3 and Li glass in combination or not with supplementary cementing materials (SCM). The concrete prisms were tested at 38 °C (100 °F), according to CSA A23.2-14A or ASTM C 1293, and also at 60 °C (140 °F) to evaluate the possibility of accelerating the testing procedure. Using LiNO3 at the [Li]/[Na + K] ratio of 0.74 recommended by the manufacturer, satisfied the 2-year 0.04% expansion limit criterion (CSA A23.2-28A) at 38 °C (100 °F) for six aggregates; three aggregates required a ratio between 0.74 and 1.11, while a ratio 1.11 was not effective with the other three aggregates. The lithium glass was not effective. The ternary silica fume/slag cement tested was effective and the fly ashes and slag as well provided they were in sufficient quantities and they had a proper composition. Most LiNO3-SCM combinations did not show significant synergetic effect. The required LiNO3 dosage is not related to the aggregate reactivity. The 6-month expansion at 60 °C (140 °F) correlated well with the 2-year expansion at 38 °C (100 °F) for the control and SCM mixtures, but not for the LiNO3 mixtures.