Title: Mechanical Properties of Alkali-Silica Reaction-Affected Concrete

Author(s): Anca C. Ferche and Frank J. Vecchio

Publication: Materials Journal

Volume: 119

Issue: 1

Appears on pages(s): 251-262

Keywords: alkali-silica reaction (ASR); direction-dependent mechanical properties; mechanical properties; stiffness deterioration; strength reduction; tensile strength

DOI: 10.14359/51734198

Date: 1/1/2022

Abstract:
Experiments focusing on the mechanical behavior of plain alkalisilica reaction (ASR)-affected concrete were undertaken. Cube specimens, 150 x 150 x 150 mm (6 x 6 x 6 in.) in dimensions, standard 100 mm (4 in.) Φ concrete cylinders, and 75 x 75 x 285 mm (3 x 3 x 11.2 in.) concrete prisms were cast with nonreactive aggregate, reactive fine aggregate (Jobe-Newman), or reactive coarse aggregate (Spratt). To accelerate the rate of the reaction, the specimens were conditioned under elevated humidity and temperature. The investigation was designed to allow the development of differential expansion along orthogonal directions in cube specimens as a result of different levels of externally applied stress. Cylindrical cores were extracted along each differently loaded direction from cubes experiencing similar stress conditions and were tested in compression and tension. In addition, tests were performed on specimens that were conditioned in a stress-free state. It was found that ASR-induced deterioration affected differently the compressive strength, modulus of elasticity, and tensile strength of the concrete cured in stress-free conditions. Tests on cores extracted from the restrained cubes revealed that the mechanical properties of ASR-affected concrete were direction-dependent as anisotropic degradation of the mechanical properties developed.