Title:
Length Expansion and Cracking of Plain and Reinforced Concrete Prisms Due to Alkali-Silica Reaction
Author(s):
Shenfu Fan and John M. Hanson
Publication:
Materials Journal
Volume:
95
Issue:
4
Appears on pages(s):
480-487
Keywords:
alkali-silica reaction (ASR); concrete; cracking; end-sealed prisms;
expansion; plain prisms; reactive aggregate; reinforced prisms;
DOI:
10.14359/391
Date:
7/1/1998
Abstract:
Measurements of length expansion and observations of cracking of plain and reinforced concrete prisms with varying sizes and amount of reinforcement due to ASR are presented. Ends of the prisms were sealed, to make the data relatable to existing structural members. The specimens were made with either reactive or nonreactive aggregates and immersed in alkali solution for one year to accelerate ASR. Visible cracks appeared on reactive specimens after four months of conditioning, when length expansion due to ASR was about 400 microstrain. Expansion of the prisms that contained longitudinal bars was greatly reduced by the reinforcement, and the dominant cracking was oriented in the direction parallel to the reinforcement. Strain of bars caused by ASR was close to yield. The effect of expansion and cracking due to ASR on structural behavior of reinforced beams and on mechanical properties of companion cylinders which accompanied these prism tests is reported separately.