Title: Chemical Detection of Expansion Susceptibility of Concrete

Author(s): Ronald Lichtenwalner and Joseph T. Taylor

Publication: Materials Journal

Volume: 121

Issue: 2

Appears on pages(s): 141-152

Keywords: alkali-silica reaction; concrete expansion; delayed ettringite formation; miniature concrete prism test; Turner-Fairbank Alkali-Silica Reaction Aggregate Susceptibility Test (T-FAST)

DOI: 10.14359/51740374

Date: 4/1/2024

Abstract:
This experimental study evaluated the correlation between measured concrete expansion from a modified version of the miniature concrete prism test (MCPT) with the concentration of chemical markers leached from the prisms into an alkaline soak solution. Fifteen concrete mixture designs were tested for expansion and soak solution concentrations over time. The changes in expansion and soak solution concentrations were found to correlate well even with variations in alkali loading and substitution of cement with Class F fly ash. A model was developed to estimate the expansion potential of concrete based on an expansion reactivity index (ERI) that incorporated the concentrations of silicon, sulfate, calcium, and aluminum. The relationship between ERI and expansion was then used to identify potentially expansive concrete mixtures using the ERI of cores taken from a structure exhibiting potential alkalisilica reaction (ASR) expansion and concrete cylinders matching the mixture designs of the MCPT specimens.