Title:
Dissolution study of siliceous powders for ASR mitigation
Author(s):
Chloe Thorp, Medhat H. Shehata
Publication:
Symposium Paper
Volume:
370
Issue:
Appears on pages(s):
221-234
Keywords:
alternative supplementary cementing materials, reactive aggregates, silica, alumina, pozzolanic reactivity, dissolution test
DOI:
10.14359/51751781
Date:
6/1/2026
Abstract:
With the reduced availability of traditional supplementary cementing materials (SCMs), a need arises for alternatives. This study presents an investigation into the reactivity of powders derived from reactive siliceous aggregates, some of which demonstrated pozzolanic potential by reducing concrete expansion associated with alkali-silica reaction (ASR). A dissolution test was conducted to quantify the amounts of soluble silica and alumina available for pozzolanic reaction. The aggregate powders were immersed in an alkaline solution designed to simulate the alkalinity of concrete pore fluid and tested at four different temperatures to evaluate the effect of temperature on the dissolution behavior. These tests were performed in parallel with ASR expansion testing to determine whether dissolution data could serve as a rapid indicator of pozzolanic potential, reducing the need for long-term monitoring. The results indicated that dissolution kinetics varied significantly with temperature, raising concerns about the use of high-temperature methods to evaluate pozzolanic activity. Aggregate powders containing calcium exhibited notable physical changes, suggesting reactions involving both silica and calcium in the solution. A strong inverse relationship was observed between dissolved silica and aluminum concentrations; all solutions exhibited either high aluminum and low silica, or high silica and low aluminum, but never elevated levels of both simultaneously. Finally, the powders were analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD) to assess mineralogical changes following alkaline exposure. Cryptocrystalline quartz, muscovite, and kaolinite phases were altered during the dissolution test, whereas other phases, including crystalline quartz, did not.
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