Alkali Silica Reactivity Potential of Normal

Strength Concrete

Data from Junaid’s MSc thesis/defense presentation

 Introduction
• In many parts of the world, precautions must be taken to avoid
excessive expansion due to Alkali Aggregate Reaction (AAR) in
concrete construction.

• AAR may involve siliceous aggregates (alkali-silica reactivity,

ASR) or carbonate aggregates (alkali-carbonate reactivity, ACR)
and failure to take precautions may result rehabilitation of
concrete structures.

• Reaction may not take place if reactive minerals are present in

higher amount i.e., phenomena of pessimum.

• Extensive knowledge is available regarding the mechanisms of

the reaction, the aggregate constituents that may react
deleteriously, and precautions that can be taken to avoid
resulting distress. 2
 History of ASR
• ASR was first recognized in concrete pavement in California by
Stanton (1940, 1942) of the California State Division of
Highways.

• Stanton’s early laboratory work demonstrated that expansion and

cracking resulted when certain combinations of high-alkali
cement and aggregate were combined in mortar bars stored in
containers at very high relative humidity.

• This work also formed the basis for ASTM C 227, the mortar-bar
test procedure.

• In Pakistan, the first case of ASR was reported in Tarbela Dam.

Most severe case of ASR was reported in Warsak dam resulting
in the partial shut off of the project for two years.
3
 Proposed Study
The proposed research work encompasses the following areas:

• To determine alkali silica potential of concrete made with local

crush from different quarries.

• To investigate the effectiveness of different test methods to

detect alkali silica potential of concrete made with local crush.

• To investigate the effect of ASR on mechanical properties of

concrete made by using local aggregates.

4
Methodology
To check the potential of alkali silica reactivity, five (5) different
commonly used sources have been selected due to the ambiguity
regarding their potential reactivity.

Sources under Study

Sheikh Hills Chak 116 Sargodha

Tuguwali Chak 111 Sargodha
Mach Hills Chak 110 Sargodha
Jhelum River Lahri Mangla
Kamser Mountains Muzaffarabad
5
Location of Sources

6
Methodology
The proposed sequence of work is as follows.

• Sampling of aggregates from different crushers

• Petrographic examination for ASR as per ASTM C 295.
• Casting of Mortar bars specimens for alkali silica potential
according to ASTM C 227 (Mortar bar method) and C 1260
(Accelerated mortar bar method).

• Expansion measurement with the help of length comparator at

different ages.

• Evaluation of ASR effect on mechanical properties of

concrete.

7
Aggregate Samples

Sheikh Hills Source Tuguwali Hills Source Mach Hills Source

Jhelum River Source Kamser Source 8

 Samples after Casting

Mortar bars (285mm x 25mm x 25mm)

Mortar cubes (25mm x 25mm x 25mm) Mortar prisms (40mm x 40mm x 160mm)
9
Samples after Casting

Mortar cubes and prisms Cross-sectional view of mortar bar

Longitudinal view of mortar bar

10
Samples during Examination

Length comparator dial gauge (L.C. 0.001mm)

Mortar bar expansion measurement Mortar bars placed in water

11
Samples placed in water and NaOH

Mortar bars placed in water Mortar bars placed in NaOH solution

Cubes and prisms placed in NaOH solution

40 g NaOH dissolved in 900 mL water diluted with additional distilled water to obtain 1 litre of solution.
12
Samples during Testing

Mortar cube during Mortar prism during Mortar cube during

compressive test flexural test ultrasonic pulse velocity
test
13
 Samples after Testing

Mortar cube after compressive Mortar prism after flexural test

test
14
Chemical Analysis of Cement
Ordinary Portland ASTM C 114
Constituents
Cement (%) Limit (%)
SiO2 20.5 20 minimum
Al2O3 5.08 6 maximum
Fe2O3 3.18 6 maximum
CaO 62.4 -
MgO 2.28 6 maximum
Free Lime 1.24 2 maximum
SO3 1.96 3 maximum
IR 0.6 0.75 maximum
LOI 2.04 3 maximum
Na2O 0.42 -
K2O 0.66 -
Na2Oe 0.85 0.6 maximum
15
 Physical Properties of Cement
Property Standard Value Limit
Standard Consistency ASTM C187 24% -
Initial Setting Time ASTM C191 91min Less than 45min
Final Setting Time ASTM C191 165min Greater than 375min

Fineness
ASTM C184 98.6% Min. 90%
(Passing #200)

Fineness (Blaine Air

ASTM C204 2996cm2/gm Min. 2250cm2/gm
Permeability)

Soundness EN 196-3 0.6mm Max. 10mm

Autoclave Expansion ASTM C151 0.075% Max. 0.8%
16
Physical Properties of Aggregates
Sheikh Tuguwali Mach Jhelum
Property Kamser
Hills Hills Hills River
Bulk Density (Kg/m3)
(ASTM C 29) 1551 1548 1535 1596 1699
Voids Content (%)
(ASTM C 29) 39.99 41.24 41.66 38.54 37.53
Specific Gravity
(ASTM C 127) 2.73 2.64 2.59 2.56 2.77
Water Absorption (%)
(ASTM C 127) 1.03 0.98 1.12 1.47 0.76
Impact Value
(BS-812) 11.9 13.1 13.3 14.5 10.1
Crushing Value
(BS-812) 18.9 14.8 25.2 21.3 17.1
Abrasion Test
(ASTM C 535) 19.2 21.8 24.2 26.9 17.9
17
 Petrographic Examination
60 100

Sheikh Hills Source 90 Quartzite*

50
80
70

Percentage (%)
Percentage (%)

40
60
30 50
40
20
30
20
10
10
0 0
Dolerite Quartzite* Rhyolite* Quartz* Muscovite/Sericite Calcite Hematite
35 40 Quartzite Mineralogical Composition
Mineralogical Composition
30 Dolerite 35 Rhyolite*
Percentage (%)

25 30

20 Percentage (%) 25

15 20

10 15

5 10

0 5
Calcite
Plagioclase

Sericite
Amphibole

Epidote

Ilmenite

Quartz*
Pyroxene

Chlorite

0
Quartz* K-feldspar Plagioclase Sericite Calcite Ilmenite or
leucoxene
Dolerite Mineralogical Composition Rhyolite Mineralogical Composition
18
 Petrographic Examination
45 50
40 Tuguwali Hills Source 45 Mach Hills Source
35
40
Percentage (%)

30
35

Percentage (%)
25
30
20
15 25

10 20
5 15
0 10
Sericite

Calcite
Quartz*

Ilmenite
K-feldspar

Plagioclase

5
0
Quartz* Muscovite Chlorite Calcite Magnetite
120
Mineralogical Composition Mineralogical Composition

100
Kamser Source
Percentage (%)

80

60

40

20

0
Dolomite Argillaceous content Hematite
and fine grained
Quartz*
19
Mineralogical Composition
 Petrographic Examination 60

50
Jhelum River Source

Percentage (%)
40

30

20

10

0
Quartzite* Sandstone*
120 Mineralogical
70 Composition

Quartzite 60
Sandstone
100

50
Percentage (%)
Percentage (%)

80
40
60
30
40
20

20
10
20
0 0
Quartz* Muscovite Quartz* Feldspar Calcite Muscovite Hematite
Quartzite Mineralogical Composition Sandstone Mineralogical Composition
Petrographic Examination
90
Reactive Mineral (Quartz)
80
70
Percentage (%)

60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Sheikh Hills Tuguwali Mach Hills Jhelum Kamser
Hills River Mountain
Aggregate Source
21
Mortar Bar Test ASTM C 227
0.07
Sheikh Hills Source
Tuguwali Hills Source
0.06 Mach Hills Source
Jhelum River Source
Kamser Mountain Source
0.05
Expansion (%)

0.04

0.03

0.02

0.01

0
0 50 100 150 200
Period (days)
22
Mortar Bar Test ASTM C 1260
According to ASTM C 1260, sources are considered alkali silica
reactive if expansion is more than 0.2% after 28 days
0.35
14 Days Expansion
28 Days Expansion
0.30 14 Days ASTM Limit
28 Days ASTM Limit
Expansion (mm)

0.25

0.20

0.15

0.10

0.05

0.00
Sheikh Hills Tuguwali Mach Hills Jhelum Kamser
Hills River Mountain
Aggregate Source 23
ASR Effect on Compressive Strength
In ASTM C 227 conditions, there is slight decrease in strength
for Sargodha sources.
45
1 Month Control Sample
40 1 Month Sample under ASR Condition
6 Month Control Sample
Compressive Strength (MPa)

35 6 Month Sample under ASR Condition

30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Sheikh Hills Tuguwali Mach Hills Jhelum River Kamser
Hills Mountain
Aggregate Source
(C.V. 2.89% within ASTM limit i.e., 3.8%) 24
ASR Effect on Compressive Strength
In ASTM C 1260 conditions, there is a decrease in strength for
all the sources.
35
Control Sample Sample under ASR Conditions
30
Compressive Strength (MPa)

25

20

15

10

0
Sheikh Hills Tuguwali Mach Hills Jhelum Kamser
Hills River Mountain
Aggregate Source
(C.V. 2.32% within ASTM limit i.e., 3.8%) 25
ASR Effect on MOR
In ASTM C 227 conditions, there is slight decrease in strength
for Sargodha sources.
18
1 Month Control Sample
16 1 Month Sample under ASR Conditions
6 Month Control Sample
14 6 Month Sample under ASR Conditions
Modulus of Rupture (MPa)

12
10
8
6
4
2
0
Sheikh Hills Tuguwali Mach Hills Jhelum River Kamser
Hills Mountain
Aggregate Source
(C.V. 4.97% within ASTM limit i.e., 5.1%) 26
ASR Effect on MOR
In ASTM C 1260 conditions, there is a decrease in strength for
all the sources.
14
Control Sample Sample under ASR Conditions
12
Modulus of Rupture (MPa)

10

0
Sheikh Hills Tuguwali Mach Hills Jhelum River Kamser
Hills Mountain
Aggregate Source
(C.V. 4.76% within ASTM limit i.e., 5.1%) 27
ASR Effect on UPV
In ASTM C 227 conditions, there is slight decrease in velocity
for Sargodha sources.
1 Month Control Sample
1 Month Sample under ASR Conditions
6 Month Control Sample
6 Month Sample under ASR Conditions
Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity (m/sec)

5000
4500
4000
3500
3000
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
0
Sheikh Hills Tuguwali Mach Hills Jhelum Kamser
Hills River Mountain
Aggregate Source 28
ASR Effect on UPV
In ASTM C 1260 conditions, there is a decrease in velocity for
all the sources.
5000
Control Sample Sample under ASR Conditions
4500
Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity (m/sec)

4000
3500
3000
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
0
Sheikh Hills Tuguwali Mach Hills Jhelum Kamser
Hills River Mountain
Aggregate Source 29
Conclusions
I. Chemical analysis of ordinary Portland cement confirms the presence of
higher alkali content for local brands i.e., greater than 0.8%.

II. Petrographic examination of local aggregates studied here confirms the

presence of reactive minerals i.e., 3-77%. However, all the reactive minerals
are found slow, according to the literature.

III. ASTM C 227 has shown less expansion ranges from 0.05-0.07% for all the
sources from Sargodha and less than 0.04% for Jhelum and Kamser sources.

IV. ASTM C 1260 has shown more accurate results in accordance with
petrographic results and all the sources from Sargodha are found reactive
having expansion greater than 0.2%. However, similar results are observed
in case of Jhelum and Kamser sources.
30
Conclusions
V. More prominent reduction in flexural and compressive strength is observed,
at later ages ranging from 23-28% for Sargodha sources.

VI. More prominent reduction in velocity up to 12% is observed for Sargodha

sources.

VII. On the basis of results, it seems that ASTM C 1260 is more effective standard
against slow reactive aggregates. Moreover, flexural strength of concrete will
be more effected as a result of ASR.

31
Recommendations
I. ASTM C 1260 needs to be considered for detection of alkali silica reactivity
as it is quick and give better results.

II. For construction purposes, aggregates from Sargodha source can be used after
applying precautionary measures to prevent ASR.

III. In future studies, effect of Pozzolanic materials to control the expansion due
to ASR need to be studied.

32
 References
• ASTM C 227 “Standard Test Method for Potential Alkali Reactivity
of Cement-Aggregate Combinations (Mortar-Bar Method)”.

• ASTM C 289 “Standard Test Method for Potential Reactivity of

Aggregates (Chemical)”.

• ASTM C 295 “Standard Guide for Petrographic Examination of

Aggregates for Concrete”.

• ASTM C 490 Standard Practice for Use of Apparatus for the

Determination of Length Change of Hardened Cement Paste, Mortar,
and Concrete.

• ASTM C 1260 Standard Test Method for Potential Alkali Reactivity

of Aggregates (Mortar-Bar Method).

33
 References
• Diamond, S. (1989). “ASR-Another Look at Mechanisms,”
Proceedings, Eighth International Conference on Alkali-Aggregate
Reaction, Kyoto, Japan, pp. 83-94.
• Johnston, C. D. (1986). “Alkali-Silica Reactivity in Concrete-
Importance of Cement Content and Alkali Equivalent,” Proceedings,
Seventh International Conference on Alkali-Aggregate Reaction,
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, pp. 477-482.
• Meissner, H. S. (1942). “Discussion: California Experience with the
Expansion of Concrete through Reaction between Cement and
Aggregate,” ACI Journal, Proceedings V. 38, Jan., pp. 209-366.
(Discussion, Nov. 1942, ACI Journal, Proceedings, V. 39, pp. 236.1-
236.7).
• WAPDA Study Report. (2004). “Concrete Materials Studies”. Mangla
Dam Raising Project.
34
 References
• Oberholster, R. E., and Davies, G. (1986). “An Accelerated Method
for Testing the Potential Alkali Reactivity of Siliceous Aggregates,”
Cement and Concrete Research, V. 16, pp. 181-189.

• Rogers, C. A., and Hooton, R. D. (1989). “Leaching of Alkalies in

Alkali-Aggregate Reaction Testing,” Proceedings, 8th International
Conference on Alkali-Aggregate Reaction, Kyoto, Japan, July, pp.
327-332.

• Stanton, T. E. (1940). “Expansion of Concrete through Reaction

between Cement and Aggregate,” Proceedings, ASCE, pp. 1781-1811.
(Reprinted with discussion and closure in Transaction, ASCE, V. 107,
pp. 54-126)

• Stanton, T. E. (1942). “California Experience with the Expansion of

Concrete through Reaction between Cement and Aggregate,” ACI
Journal, Proceedings V. 38, p. 209. 35