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ACRP Synthesis 11-03 Alkali-Silica Reactivity: Causes and Solutions. Thomas Van Dam, Ph.D., P.E. Principal Wednesday, September 11, 2019 Association of California Airports Fall Conference. Concrete Making Materials. 9 - 15% Cement + SCM. Paste (cement + water). 15 - 16% Water.
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ACRP Synthesis 11-03 Alkali-Silica Reactivity: Causes and Solutions Thomas Van Dam, Ph.D., P.E. Principal Wednesday, September 11, 2019 Association of California Airports Fall Conference
Concrete Making Materials 9 - 15%Cement + SCM Paste(cement + water) 15 - 16%Water Mortar(paste + fine aggregate) 25 - 35%Fine aggregate Concrete(mortar + coarse aggregate) 30 - 45%Coarse aggregate
Introduction • Concrete has a history of exceptional long-term performance in various applications • In some instances, the service life of a structure has been adversely affected by the concrete’s inability to maintain its integrity in the environment in which it serves • These type of failure are attributed to a lack of durability
What Durability in Not? • Durability is not an intrinsic material property • “Durability” cannot be measured • Concrete that is durable in one application may rapidly deteriorate if placed in another application • It is not related to loading, although loading can exacerbate the distress
Alkali–Silica Reactivity (ASR) • Reaction between alkalis in the concrete pore solution and reactive silica present in aggregate • Manifest as map cracking. Exudate is common, as is expansion of the structure Sequence of ASR Development (Thomas et al. 2011)
ASTM C1778-16: Standard Guide for AAR • Field performance? • Has limitations • Laboratory testing • Petrographic analysis (ASTM C295) • Accelerated Mortar Bar Test (ASTM C1260) • Concrete Prism Test (ASTM C1293) • Verification of mechanism • ASR or ACR (ASTM C856)
Prevention of Alkali-Silica Reaction • Use non-susceptible aggregates • Low-alkali cement (Na2Oeq less than 0.6%) • Use SCMs (low-calcium fly ash, silica fume, slag cement, and so on) • Consider lithium compounds • Combinations of the above
FAA Mitigation of ASR • Aggregate reactivity assessed separately according to ASTM C1260 and combined according to ASTM C1567 • Only ASTM C1567 results use in acceptance • Greater than 0.10% expansion @ 28 days must be mitigated • Mitigation with SCMs assessed using ASTM C1567
Recommended Ranges of SCM Contents (DOD 2015) *Silica fume must only be used for projects outside of the continental U.S. (OCONUS) where Class F fly ash and slag cement are not available, and when approved.
ACRP Project No. 11-03: Practices to Mitigate ASR Affected Pavements at Airports • Project team consisted of APTech and NCE • Focused exclusively on treatment of ASR affected airport pavements • Based on literature search and survey results • Case examples prepared
Results of Literature Review • ASR is a problem at a number of airports • Many feel that the FAA mitigation strategy, although somewhat onerous, are effective • Treatments that have been used by airports are varied, but no “silver bullet” was found • Topical application of lithium solution not effective • Treatments focused on repair
Treatment Strategies • Joint and cracking sealing • Retrofitted subsurface drainage • Surface sealers and treatments • Silanes, siloxanes, high-molecular weight methacrylates • Lithium compounds • Corrective treatments including partial-depth repair (PDR), full-depth repair (FDR), and pressure relief joints (PRJ) • Overlays including asphalt and unbonded concrete overlays • Reconstruction
Airport Surveys • Responses received from 19 airport • 25 facilities (R/W, T/W, and aprons) affected
Age of ASR-affected Pavements Construction Decade of ASR-Affected Airfield Facilities Age of Airfield Facilities when ASR First Observed
ASR Manifestations and Detection Indicators of ASR Cited by Survey Respondents Confirmation Method for ASR Identification
Four Case Examples • Distress appeared in 10 to 15 years • Pattern cracking at joints and map cracking, followed by spalling and pressure-related damage • PDR was the primary treatment utilized to control FOD • Proprietary materials that allow movement popular • Sawed and sealed HMA overlay provided good service at one airport • Surface application of lithium compounds found not to be effective • New FAA specifications appear to be effective
Summary • ASR has affected many airport pavements around the country • There is no “silver bullet” treatment that has been found to stop or slow the progression of ASR once it has begun • Patching (PDR and FDR) are effective and treating FOD and extending life • New FAA specifications seem to be preventing occurrence in new pavements
Questions? Thomas Van Dam, Ph.D., P.E., FACI Principal tvandam@ncenet.com 775-527-0690