Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 5-8. Test Methods for Alkali-Silica Reactivity (
Farny and Kosmatka 1997
)
Test name
Purpose
Type of test
Type of sample
ASTM C 227,
To test the susceptibility of
Mortar bars stored over
At least 4 mortar bars of
Potential alkali-reactivity
cement-aggregate com-
water at 37.8°C (100°F)
standard dimensions:
of cement-aggregate
binations to expansive
and high relative
25 x 25 x 285 mm
combinations
reactions involving
humidity
(1 x 1 x 11
1
⁄
4
in.)
(mortar-bar method)
alkalies
ASTM C 289,
To determine potential
Sample reacted with
Three 25-gram samples
Potential alkali-silica
reactivity of siliceous
alkaline solution at 80°C (176°F)
of crushed and sieved
reactivity of aggregates
aggregates
aggregate
(chemical method)
ASTM C 294,
To give descriptive
Visual identification
Varies, but should be
Constituents of
nomenclature for the
representative of entire
natural mineral
more common or impor-
source
aggregates
tant natural minerals—an
aid in determining their
performance
ASTM C 295,
To outline petrographic
Visual and microscopic
Varies with knowledge of
Petrographic
examination procedures
examination of prepared
quarry: cores 53 to 100 mm
examination of
for aggregates—an aid in
samples—sieve analysis,
in diameter (2
1
⁄
8
to 4 in.)
aggregates
determining their per-
microscopy, scratch or
45 kg (100 lb) or 300
for concrete
formance
acid tests
pieces, or 2 kg (4 lb)
ASTM C 342,
To determine the poten-
Mortar bars stored in
Three mortar bars per
Potential volume
tial ASR expansion of
water at 23°C (73.4°F)
cement-aggregate
change of cement-
cement-aggregate
combination of standard
aggregate
combinations
dimensions: 25 x 25 x 285 mm
combinations
(1 x 1 x 11
1
⁄
4
in.)
ASTM C 441,
To determine effectiveness
Mortar bars—using Pyrex
At least 3 mortar bars
Effectiveness of mineral
of supplementary cementing
glass as aggregate—
and also 3 mortar bars
admixtures or GBFS in
materials in controlling
stored over water at
of control mixture
preventing excessive
expansion from ASR
37.8°C (100°F) and
expansion of concrete
high relative humidity
due to alkali-silica reaction
ASTM C 856,
To outline petrographic
Visual (unmagnified)
At least one 150-mm
Petrographic
examination procedures
and microscopic exam-
diameter by 300-mm long
examination of
for hardened concrete—
ination of prepared
core (6-in. diameter by
hardened concrete
useful in determining
samples
12-in. long)
condition or performance
ASTM C 856
To identify products of
Staining of a freshly-
Varies: core with lapped
(AASHTO T 299),
ASR in hardened
exposed concrete
surface, core with
Annex uranyl-acetate
concrete
surface and viewing
broken surface
treatment procedure
under UV light
Los Alamos staining
To identify products of
Staining of a freshly-exposed
Varies: core with lapped
method
ASR in hardened
concrete surface with two
surface, core with
(
Powers 1999
)
concrete
different reagents
broken surface
ASTM C 1260
To test the potential for
Immersion of mortar
At least 3 mortar bars
(AASHTO T 303),
deleterious alkali-silica
bars in alkaline
Potential alkali-reactivity
reaction of aggregate
solution at 80°C (176°F)
of aggregates (mortar-
in mortar bars
bar method)
ASTM C 1293,
To determine the
Concrete prisms stored
Three prisms per cement-
Determination of length
potential ASR expansion
over water at 38°C (100.4°F)
aggregate combination of
change of concrete
of cement-aggregate
standard dimensions:
due to alkali-silica
combinations
75 x 75 x 285 mm
reaction (concrete
(3 x 3 x 11
1
⁄
4
in.)
prism test)
Accelerated concrete
To determine the
Concrete prisms stored
Three prisms per cement-
prism test (modified
potential ASR expansion
stored over water
aggregate combination of
ASTM C 1293)
of cement-aggregate
at 60°C (140°F)
standard dimensions:
combinations
75 x 75 x 285 mm
(3 x 3 x 11
1
⁄
4
in.)
