Impact of Aggregate Grain Size on ASR-Induced Expansion

Alkali–silica reaction (ASR) is a sequence of complex chemical processes, resulting in the formation of alkali silica gels with high swelling ability. ASR leads to the expansion of concrete and the degradation of its microstructure. The susceptibility of aggregates to alkali reaction depends, among...

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Main Author: Justyna Zapała-Sławeta
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-12-01
Series:Materials
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/16/24/7506
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author Justyna Zapała-Sławeta
author_facet Justyna Zapała-Sławeta
author_sort Justyna Zapała-Sławeta
collection DOAJ
description Alkali–silica reaction (ASR) is a sequence of complex chemical processes, resulting in the formation of alkali silica gels with high swelling ability. ASR leads to the expansion of concrete and the degradation of its microstructure. The susceptibility of aggregates to alkali reaction depends, among other factors, on the type and origin of the aggregate, the presence of reactive forms of silica, the mineral composition, and the geometric properties of the aggregate, such as shape and grain size. This study aimed to investigate the impact of the grain size of polymineral post-glacial gravel aggregate, originating from the northern regions of Poland, on its susceptibility to ASR. The expansion of mortars made from polymineral aggregate and the cracking of grains and cement matrix due to the occurring reactions were analyzed. Based on the conducted research, it was observed that the expansion of mortars depends on the grain size of the aggregate. It was demonstrated that the fraction of reactive aggregate generating the most significant elongation of mortars is in the range of 1.0–2.0 mm. The reaction of silica with alkalis continued until the depletion of reactive components in the aggregate. The relationship between the progress of corrosive processes and the grain size of the aggregate was evident in the form of different linear elongation increments of mortars over time. The expansion of mortars was caused by the swelling ASR gel, inducing stress in the grain and the surrounding cementitious paste.
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spelling doaj.art-52ae2a13a0cb4ebab6a72e89c1cfa04b2023-12-22T14:22:28ZengMDPI AGMaterials1996-19442023-12-011624750610.3390/ma16247506Impact of Aggregate Grain Size on ASR-Induced ExpansionJustyna Zapała-Sławeta0Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Kielce University of Technology, Al. Tysiąclecia Państwa Polskiego 7, 25-314 Kielce, PolandAlkali–silica reaction (ASR) is a sequence of complex chemical processes, resulting in the formation of alkali silica gels with high swelling ability. ASR leads to the expansion of concrete and the degradation of its microstructure. The susceptibility of aggregates to alkali reaction depends, among other factors, on the type and origin of the aggregate, the presence of reactive forms of silica, the mineral composition, and the geometric properties of the aggregate, such as shape and grain size. This study aimed to investigate the impact of the grain size of polymineral post-glacial gravel aggregate, originating from the northern regions of Poland, on its susceptibility to ASR. The expansion of mortars made from polymineral aggregate and the cracking of grains and cement matrix due to the occurring reactions were analyzed. Based on the conducted research, it was observed that the expansion of mortars depends on the grain size of the aggregate. It was demonstrated that the fraction of reactive aggregate generating the most significant elongation of mortars is in the range of 1.0–2.0 mm. The reaction of silica with alkalis continued until the depletion of reactive components in the aggregate. The relationship between the progress of corrosive processes and the grain size of the aggregate was evident in the form of different linear elongation increments of mortars over time. The expansion of mortars was caused by the swelling ASR gel, inducing stress in the grain and the surrounding cementitious paste.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/16/24/7506alkali–silica reactionreactive aggregategrain sizecorrosionASR gelmicrostructure degradation
spellingShingle Justyna Zapała-Sławeta
Impact of Aggregate Grain Size on ASR-Induced Expansion
Materials
alkali–silica reaction
reactive aggregate
grain size
corrosion
ASR gel
microstructure degradation
title Impact of Aggregate Grain Size on ASR-Induced Expansion
title_full Impact of Aggregate Grain Size on ASR-Induced Expansion
title_fullStr Impact of Aggregate Grain Size on ASR-Induced Expansion
title_full_unstemmed Impact of Aggregate Grain Size on ASR-Induced Expansion
title_short Impact of Aggregate Grain Size on ASR-Induced Expansion
title_sort impact of aggregate grain size on asr induced expansion
topic alkali–silica reaction
reactive aggregate
grain size
corrosion
ASR gel
microstructure degradation
url https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/16/24/7506
work_keys_str_mv AT justynazapałasławeta impactofaggregategrainsizeonasrinducedexpansion