Title:
Long-term efficacy of lithium-based admixtures to prevent alkali-silica reaction in concrete
Author(s):
M. Ranger, B. Fournier, P.-C. Nkinamubanzi
Publication:
Symposium Paper
Volume:
370
Issue:
Appears on pages(s):
99-112
Keywords:
Alkali-silica reaction, Concrete, Durability, Field testing, Lithium
DOI:
10.14359/51751752
Date:
5/1/2026
Abstract:
The use of lithium-based admixtures is one of the options to prevent deleterious alkali-silica reaction (ASR) in concrete. In 1992, the Canadian Centre for Mineral and Energy Technology (CANMET) initiated a comparative laboratory-versus-field ASR study. About 700 concrete blocks were cast with various aggregates susceptible to ASR, different binders including supplementary cementitious materials, and lithium-based admixtures. The blocks have been exposed outdoors near Ottawa, Canada, and their expansion has been monitored over time. Out of those, a set of blocks was made with two lithium-based products: lithium hydroxide (LiOH) and lithium nitrate (LiN). They were used with high alkali Portland cement (PC) and in “ternary” concrete systems with PC and Class F fly ashes. The Li-to-(Na+K) molar ratios in the mixtures ranged from 0.37 to 1.10.
This paper presents the expansion of the concrete blocks after 25-30 years of outdoor exposure, for 20 different mixtures. The efficacy of LiOH and LiN to limit the expansion depends on the aggregate type and the dosage. Overall, lithium-based products reduced the expansion caused by ASR. However, there are indications that lithium may only have a retarding effect on ASR expansion - not a prevention effect - at least for some aggregates. Finally, two 30-year blocks with and without Li were cored to better characterize the condition of the concrete. The paper presents the results of in-depth investigations, including the damage rating index and stiffness damage test.
Related References:
1. A. Leemann, M. Góra, B. Lothenbach, M. Heuberger, Alkali silica reaction in concrete - Revealing the expansion mechanism by surface force measurements, Cem Concr Res 176 (2024) 107392. doi: 10.1016/j.cemconres.2023.107392
2. P. Nixon, B. Fournier, Chapter 2 – Assessment, Testing and Specification, Alkali-Aggregate Reaction – A World Review, Eds: I. Sims and A. Poole, (2017) 33–61.
3. M. Thomas, The effect of supplementary cementing materials on alkali-silica reaction: A review, Cem Concr Res 41 (2011) 1224–1231. doi: 10.1016/j.cemconres.2010.11.003
4. X. Feng, M.D.A. Thomas, T.W. Bremner, B.J. Balcom, K.J. Folliard, Studies on lithium salts to mitigate ASR-induced expansion in new concrete: a critical review, Cem Concr Res 35 (2005) 1789–1796. doi: 10.1016/j.cemconres.2004.10.013
5. M.D.A. Thomas, B. Fournier, K.J. Folliard, J.H. Ideker, Y. Resendez, The Use of Lithium To Prevent or Mitigate Alkali-Silica Reaction in Concrete Pavements and Structures. Publication FHWA-HRF-06-133, 2007.
6. W.J. McCoy, A.G. Caldwell, New Approach to Inhibiting Alkali-Aggregate Expansion, ACI Journal Proceedings 47 (1951). doi: 10.14359/12030
7. K. Folliard, M.D.A. Thomas, B. Fournier, K.E. Kurtis, J.H. Ideker, Interim Recommendations for the Use of Lithium to Mitigate or Prevent Alkali-Silica Reaction (ASR), 2006. https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/38705 (accessed August 13, 2025)
8. C. Tremblay, M.-A. Bérubé, B. Fournier, M.D.A. Thomas, K.J. Folliard, Effectiveness of Lithium-Based Products in Concrete Made with Canadian Natural Aggregates Susceptible to Alkali-Silica Reactivity, ACI Materials Journal 104 (2007) 195–205.
9. T. Drimalas, J.H. Ideker, A. Bentivegna, K. Folliard, B. Fournier, M.D.A. Thomas, The Long-Term Monitoring of Large-Scale Concrete Specimens Containing Lithium Salts to Mitigate Alkali-Silica Reaction, in: SP-289: Twelfth International Conference on Recent Advances in Concrete Technology and Sustainability Issues, American Concrete Institute, 2012. doi: 10.14359/51684267
10. Z. Shi, B. Lothenbach, Role of Aluminum and Lithium in Mitigating Alkali-Silica Reaction—A Review, Front Mater 8 (2022). doi: 10.3389/fmats.2021.796396
11. C. Tremblay, M.A. Bérubé, B. Fournier, M.D. Thomas, K.J. Folliard, Experimental investigation of the mechanisms by which LiNO3 is effective against ASR, Cem Concr Res 40 (2010) 583–597. doi: 10.1016/j.cemconres.2009.09.022
12. X. Feng, M.D.A. Thomas, T.W. Bremner, K.J. Folliard, B. Fournier, Summary of research on the effect of LiNO3 on alkali–silica reaction in new concrete, Cem Concr Res 40 (2010) 636–642. doi: 10.1016/j.cemconres.2009.08.021
13. A. Leemann, L. Bernard, S. Alahrache, F. Winnefeld, ASR prevention - Effect of aluminum and lithium ions on the reaction products, Cem Concr Res 76 (2015) 192–201. doi: 10.1016/j.cemconres.2015.06.002
14. B. Fournier, V.M. Malhotra, Reducing Expansion Due to Alkali-Silica Reactivity, Concrete International 18 (1996) 55–59.
15. B. Fournier, A. Bilodeau, N. Bouzoubaa, P.-C. Nkinamubanzi, Field and Laboratory Investigations on the Use of Fly Ash and LI-Based Admixtures to Prevent ASR in Concrete, in: Proceedings of the Sixth International Conference on Durability of Concrete Structures, Leeds (United Kingdom), 2018: p. MID03.
16. P.E. Grattan-Bellew, L.D. Mitchell, Quantitative petrographic analysis of concrete: the damage rating index (DRI) method, a review, Proceedings of the Marc-André Bérubé Symposium on Alkali-Aggregate Reactivity in Concrete, Montreal (Quebec), Ed: B. Fournier, Canada, 2006: pp. 321–334.
17. V. Villeneuve, B. Fournier, J. Duchesne, Determination of the damage in concrete affected by ASR - The Damage Rating Index (DRI), in: Proceedings of the 14th International Conference on Alkali-Aggregate Reaction in Concrete, Austin (Texas), USA, 2012.
18. L.F.M. Sanchez, B. Fournier, M. Jolin, J. Duchesne, Reliable quantification of AAR damage through assessment of the Damage Rating Index (DRI), Cem Concr Res 67 (2015) 74–92. doi: 10.1016/j.cemconres.2014.08.002
19. L.F.M. Sanchez, B. Fournier, M. Jolin, J. Bastien, Evaluation of the stiffness damage test (SDT) as a tool for assessing damage in concrete due to ASR: Test loading and output responses for concretes incorporating fine or coarse reactive aggregates, Cem Concr Res 56 (2014) 213–229. doi: 10.1016/j.cemconres.2013.11.003
20. L.F.M. Sanchez, B. Fournier, M. Jolin, J. Bastien, D. Mitchell, Practical use of the stiffness damage test (SDT) for assessing damage in concrete infrastructure affected by alkali-silica reaction, Constr Build Mater 125 (2016) 1178–1188. doi: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2016.08.101.