TABLE OF CONTENTS

Alkali Silica Reaction Adverse Effects of ASR Symptoms of ASR Mechanism of ASR Chemical Process of ASR Factors effecting the Reaction Material Properties External Factors Diagnosis Testing Mitigation

ALKALI SILICA REACTION (ASR)

A chemical reaction develops between the

reactive silica contained in the aggregates and the alkalis (Na2O and K2O) within the cement paste known as Alkali-Silica Reaction.
ASR also known as Concrete Cancer

ADVERSE EFFECTS OF ASR

Alkali-silica reaction is one of the most recognized

deleterious phenomena in concrete.

The reaction is followed by expansion / swelling

of the aggregate particles due to the formation of alkali-silicate gel that absorbs water and tends to increase in volume. Since the gel is confined by the cement paste, it builds up pressure causing expansion, due to which multidirectional cracking (map cracking) appears on surface of concrete.

SYMPTOMS OF ASR
Visual examination of those concrete structures

that are affected will generally show :map or pattern cracking a general appearance that indicates that the

concrete is swelling.

Alkali Silica Gel Fracturing Aggregate And Paste

MECHANISM OF ASR
The mechanism of ASR causing the deterioration of

concrete can be described in four steps as follows:

a) The alkaline solution attacks the siliceous aggregate to

convert it to viscous alkali silicate gel.

b) Consumption of alkali by the reaction induces the

dissolution of Ca2+ ions into the cement pore water. Calcium ions then react with the gel to convert it to hard calcium silicate hydrate.

MECHANISM OF ASR
c) The penetrated alkaline solution converts the remaining

siliceous minerals into bulky alkali-silicate gel. The resultant expansive pressure is stored in the aggregate.
d) The accumulated pressure cracks the aggregate and the

surrounding cement paste when the pressure exceeds the tolerance of the aggregate.

FORMATION OF GEL

ASR CHEMICAL PROCESS

Alkali refers to the Sodium and Potassium Hydroxides

present in cement relatively in small proportions. It is expressed as Sodium Oxide. The reaction involves interaction of hydroxyl ions (associated with alkali) in cement with certain siliceous constituents of the aggregate (reactive silica) The products of reaction such as Sodium Silicate gel (called water glass) form on the exterior surface of particles and can bring about excessive expansion, cracking, pop outs and general deterioration of concrete

ASR CHEMICAL PROCESS

The capacity of the Reaction of the aggregate

Particles involved depends on the crystalline structure involved. If the crystalline structure is altered, the reaction is more feasible. The reaction can be represented as penetration of OH, Na and K ions in the silicas disordered structure. Si-OH+OHSiO-+H2O SiO- + Na Si-O-Na (Gel) Si-O-Si + 2OHSi-O-+ OSi+ H2O In the last reaction siloxane structure is attacked by Alkaline solution which can be shown in figure as:

SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM OF ATTACK OF ALKALINE SOLUTION OF SILICA

CHEMICAL EQUATION
SiO2+NaOH+Ca(OH)2+H2O

(n1Na2O)(n2CaO)(n3SiO2)(n4H2O) GEL

FACTORS CAUSING THE REACTION

a)

PROPERTIES OF MATERIAL AFFECTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF REACTION

1. ALKALI CONTENT Alkalis are normally present in the cement. Strong alkalinity causes the acidic siliceous material to react Thus greater the alkali content, greater will be the susceptibility of alkali silica reaction. ASTM C150 designates cements with more than 0.6 percent of Na2O as high-alkali cements. Even with low alkali content, but sufficient amount of cement, alkali-silica reactions can occur. Moreover there is a chance of alkali-silica reaction due to: a) alkaline admixtures b) aggregates that are contaminated c) penetration of seawater

a)

PROPERTIES OF MATERIAL AFFECTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF REACTION

2. AGGREGATE COMPOSITION
Amorphous or cryptocrystalline (silica) quartz

with a damaged crystalline structure trydimite, altered alkaline and calco-alkaline feldspar are capable of supplying reactive silica and alkalis.

b)

EXTERNAL FACTORS AFFECTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF REACTION

a)

HUMIDITY Water is product that feeds the expansion as its molecules are incorporated in the gel. 80% Moisture is needed for the reaction AMBIENT TEMPERATURE Higher temperature increases the rate of reaction TENSIONAL STATE Tensional stresses in concrete causes cracks to widen and allow further reactants to react causing increase in rate of reaction

b)

c)

b)

EXTERNAL FACTORS AFFECTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF REACTION

d)ELECTRICAL FIELDS The alkalis may become concentrated by an electric current passed through the concrete which may occur when cathodic protection is used to prevent corrosion of embedded steel.

DIAGNOSIS

DIAGNOSIS
If ASR is suspected, then an investigation should

follow. The extent of this investigation should be related to the criticality of the structure and the perceived intensity of the reaction. In essence this report recommends the following: A desk study to ascertain the source and analyses of materials used. Critical examination of site to determine if causes other than ASR are present Sampling e.g., by coring in selected areas Thin section petrography and other analysis of samples to determine the cause of cracking Report and recommendation on whether remedial treatment is required

TESTING PROCEDURES

TESTING PROCEDURES
Over the years, several ASTM tests have been

developed for the purpose of identifying reactive aggregates. The most popular tests include:
ASTM C 295: Petrographic Examination of

Aggregates for Concrete ASTM C 227: Potential Alkali Reactivity of Cement-Aggregate ASTM C1260: Potential Reactivity of Aggregates (Mortar Bar Test) ASTM C 1293: Determination of Length Change of Concrete Due to Alkali-Silica Reaction

Testing for Alkali-Silica Reaction

Supplemental testing could also be performed to

confirm the test results. Such tests include ASTM C 277, C 1260, C 295, and C 289. Clearly, an ideal test method for predicting the alkali-silica reactivity of aggregates does not exist. A comprehensive evaluation of test methods is needed for aggregates having known alkali-silica reactivity ranging from innocuous to highly reactive.

PREVENTION AND MITIGATION

PREVENTION
Identifying the susceptibility of an aggregate to the

alkali-silica reaction (ASR) before using it in concrete is one of the most efficient practices for preventing damage. Several tests have been developed to identify aggregates subject to ASR, but each has its limitations In general, the best prevention is to avoid using aggregates that are known or suspected to be reactive or to use a cement containing less than 0.60 percent alkalis.

MITIGATION
Investigations show that if total alkali content is less

than 3 kg/m3, alkali-silica reactions will not occur. Avoid using aggregate containing silica-Aggregate that contain silica in active state and hard burned lime, hard burned dolomite, siliceous limestone, opal Sweetening of aggregate using limestone Control of access of water to concrete Mineral admixtures such as fly ash / grounded blast furnace slag that contains fine silica that can minimize the reaction. Lithium Compounds

MITIGATION
If ASR has been diagnosed, then remedial treatment

may be required. This may take one of the following forms: Regular monitoring of the structure to check that deterioration does not reach dangerous proportions. This requires experienced engineering judgment Detailed check on the structural details to establish criticality; in particular a critical examination of the reinforcement detailing Measures to reduce the amount of water available to the structure. Limited strengthening of the structure Partial or full demolition followed by re-building

BIBLOGRAPHY
ALKALI-SILICA REACTION IN PORTLAND CEMENT CONCRETE

Current ICAR research on alkali-silica reaction by W. E. Touma, R. L. Carrasquillo, and D. W. Fowler Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Texas, USA ALKALI-SILICA REACTION IN PORTLAND CEMENT CONCRETE BY RESEARCH REPORT ICAR - 301-1f British Cement Association, The diagnosis of alkali-silica reaction. 1988 Concrete Society, Technical Report No. 30 Third Edition, Alkali-silica reaction: minimizing the risk of damage to concrete. 1999 Institution of Structural Engineers, Structural effects of alkali-silica reaction. Technical guidance on the appraisal of existing structures. July 1992 Building Research Establishment, Digest 330 Pts 1,2,3 & 4, Alkali-silica reaction in concrete. 1997 Hobbs Dr D W, Alkali-silica reaction in concrete. T. Telford 1988 West G, Alkali-silica reaction in concrete roads and bridges. T.Telford 1996 Swamy R N, Alkali reaction in concrete. Blackie. 1992 This feature was compiled by David Doran [F]: Chairman of IStructE Task Groups; Member of Hawkins Committee & Member of BRE Working Party.

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