Title: Quantifying Deterioration Due to Alkali-Silica Reaction in Restrained Portland Cement Concrete Pavement

Author(s): Richard A. Deschenes, Ali Qutail, and Romit Thapa

Publication: Materials Journal

Volume: 119

Issue: 6

Appears on pages(s): 109-119

Keywords: alkali-silica reaction (ASR); biaxial restraint; damage rating index (DRI); external restraint; portland cement concrete (PCC) pavements; uniaxial restraint

DOI: 10.14359/51735981

Date: 11/1/2022

Abstract:
Monitoring alkali-silica reaction in pavements requires methods to quantify strain and deterioration. Typically, surface strain is measured using a detachable mechanical gauge, while deterioration features are measured following the damage rating index (DRI). External restraint from adjacent pavement or subgrade friction potentially affects strain and deterioration in the travel, transverse, and vertical directions differently, potentially decreasing deterioration in the restrained directions. Limited experimental data are available regarding states of stress observed in concrete pavements. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential redistribution of strain and deterioration toward the unrestrained direction (vertical). Herein, surface strain and DRI methods were used to quantify and compare deterioration in restrained and unrestrained concrete cube specimens with self-reacting external restraint. The results were compared to previous studies to validate the findings. External restraint was found to limit strain and deterioration in the restrained directions, with a lesser effect on the unrestrained directions.