Mechanisms of Alkali-Silica Reaction Mitigation in AMBT Conditions: Comparative Study of Traditional Supplementary Cementitious Materials
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 34, Issue 3
Abstract
This study investigates the mechanisms of alkali-silica reaction (ASR) mitigation by supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) under accelerated mortar bar test (AMBT) conditions. The study compares the effect of traditional SCMs (fly ash, slag, metakaolin, and silica fume) on ASR expansion, calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) composition, and portlandite consumption as well as on the availability of silicon and aluminum in solution. Results show that at typical SCM replacement levels for effective ASR mitigation (15% metakaolin, 25% fly ash, and 65% slag), the Si/Ca and Al/Si ratios of C-S-H are increased to comparable values, suggesting that at these dosages the SCMs contribute almost equivalent amounts of silicon and aluminum in solution. Studies of blended cement + SCM pastes show that the order of pozzolanicity is as follows: silica fume > metakaolin > fly ash > slag, which is consistent with the order of efficacy of SCMs in mitigating ASR expansion and the measured concentrations of silicon in solution. Solubility studies of the SCMs showed formation of sodium aluminum silicate hydrate (N-A-S-H) in fly ash and metakaolin and formation of calcium aluminum silicate hydrate (C-A-S-H) in slag after 28 days of exposure to AMBT conditions. This highlights the role of alkali activation of SCMs in ASR mitigation under AMBT conditions.
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Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Acknowledgments
This study is a part of University of Technology Sydney research funded through the Australian Research Council Research Hub for Nanoscience-Based Construction Materials Manufacturing (NANOCOMM) with the support of Cement Concrete and Aggregates Australia (CCAA) and the Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship. This work would also not have been possible without laboratory equipment provided by the Laboratory of Construction Materials at EPFL Switzerland courtesy of Professor Karen Scrivener.
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Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 34 • Issue 3 • March 2022
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© 2021 American Society of Civil Engineers.
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Received: Jan 28, 2021
Accepted: Jun 25, 2021
Published online: Dec 17, 2021
Published in print: Mar 1, 2022
Discussion open until: May 17, 2022
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