Presented at the XXIV Nordic Concrete Research Symposium in Stockholm, August 17-19, 2022.

1. Fournier, B., Martin, R.P., Lindgård, J., Ideker, J.H.,
Leemann, A., Custódio, J, Wigum, B.J.
Alkali-Silica Reaction (ASR): Laboratory vs.
field relation – State-of-the-art report (STAR)

2. Pyrrhotite
Fe(1-x)S
• Reaction between concrete pore fluid and
siliceous phases (aggregates)  alkali-silica gel
• Expansion & cracking of affected element
10 mm
Background – Alkali-silica reaction (ASR)
100 mm
aggregate
cement paste
crystalline
ASR product
amorphous
ASR product
0.55
0.25
0.37
0.1 mm
Fernandes et al. (2022)

3. Chalcopyrite
[FeCu]S2
Pyrite
Pyrrhotite
FeS2
Fe(1-x)S
• Use “non reactive” aggregate; aggregate beneficiation
• Limit the alkali content in the concrete mixture
• Use of SCMs and “chemical admixtures” (e.g. lithium)
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0
Alkali Content of Concrete (kg/m3
Na2Oe)
Expansion
at
2
Years
(%)
CSA Limit
Threshold
value
Background – Preventive measures against ASR
Determine
appropriate
level /
quantities

4. Chaired by Børge J. Wigum (Heidelberg Cement Northern
Europe, Norway), with Jan Lindgård (SINTEF, Norway) as the
Secretary.
Main purpose : develop and promote a reliable performance-
based testing concept for the prevention of deleterious ASR
Background - RILEM TC 258-AAA (2014 – 2021)
• WP1 - Performance testing and accelerated testing in laboratory
(Terje F. Rønning; Heidelberg Cement Northern Europe, Norway)
• WP2 – Laboratory testing vs field performance
(Benoît Fournier; Université Laval, Canada)
• WP3 - Performance testing; Assessment of detailed alkali
inventory in concrete (Esperanza Menéndez; CSIC, Spain).

5. Review results of comparative field / laboratory studies to
validate efficacy of laboratory test methods for documenting the
effectiveness of SCMs and Li-based admixtures to control ASR
State-of-the-art report – TC deliverable
CPT
AMBT
MCPT
+ evaluation
of the effect
of exposure
conditions

6. • Introduction
o Problem statement – objectives – basics of ASR
o Review of laboratory aggregate - and performance test
methods and limitations
o Couplings with other mechanisms such as Freeze/Thaw
or Delayed Ettringite Formation
• Exposure sites
o Instructions on how to develop an outdoor exposure site
o Overview of “older sites”, studies in progress and new
studies in development
o Tools for condition assessment
State-of-the-art report – Content

7. • Field performance of concrete structures
o Selected examples/cases world-wide
• Potential solutions or approaches for improvement of
performance testing
o Various methods (methodology, pros and cons, correlation of
results to existing test methods and/or aggregates with
known reactivity)
• Conclusions & recommendations
State-of-the-art report – Content

8. • Efficacy of FA to control expansion due to ASR
• Effect of environmental conditions
• Validate laboratory test methods
LNEC / KPN cube study (2015…) – objectives & mix designs
Serie
s
Coarse
Aggregate
Type of
mix
A NM (R) Control
B1 Ott (R) Control
B2 Ott (R)
20% FA
(Norcem)
B3 Ott (R)
30% FA
(Norcem)
C
Portugal
(NR)
Control
Sand: non-reactive; Norway
NM gravel
(USA)
Ottersbo
cataclasite
(Norway)

9. LNEC / KPN cube study – specimens for testing

10. 10
Watford
Trondheim
Düsseldorf
Milan
Valencia
Brevik
Borås
Lisbon &
Cascais (sea side)
Reykjavik
LNEC cube study
Partner Project
Paris
Treat Island
Austin
Ottawa
LNEC / KPN cube study – field exposure sites

11. Sea side (6)
Lisbon (16)
Düsseldorf (6)
Paris (8)
Reykjavik (6)
Brevik (6)
Trondheim (13) Ottawa (10)
Austin (8) Treat Island (Maine)(5)
LNEC / KPN cube study – field exposure sites

12. 0,00
0,10
0,20
0,30
0,40
0,50
0,60
0 1 2 3 4
Expansion
[%]
Exposure time [years]
Mixture A
LNEC
LNEC-sea
SINTEF
VDZ
Norcem
IFSTTAR
CANMET
Mannvit
Utexas
-0,10
0,00
0,10
0,20
0,30
0,40
0,50
0,60
0 1 2 3 4
Expansion
[%]
Exposure time [years]
Mixture B1
LNEC
LNEC-sea
SINTEF
VDZ
Norcem
IFSTTAR
CANMET
Utexas
UNB-Treat Island
-0,05
0,00
0,05
0,10
0,15
0,20
0,25
0,30
0,35
0,40
0,45
0,50
0,55
0,60
0 0,5 1 1,5 2 2,5 3 3,5 4
Expansion
[%]
Exposure time [years]
Field exposed cubes: Mixture B2
LNEC
LNEC-sea
SINTEF
VDZ
Norcem
IFSTTAR
CANMET
Utexas
UNB-Treat Island
Control NM
Control Ott
Ott + 20% FA
Ott + 30% FA
LNEC / KPN cube study – summary of results
Control reactive
concretes
Control NR + FA concretes
Exposure blocks Exposure blocks
Exposure blocks Concrete Prism Test
Custódio et al. 2016

13. Lower Notch Dam
(HA cement, 20-30% Class F FA)
Lady Evelyn Dam (HA cement)
Fly ash to control ASR in hydraulic dams (Ontario, Canada)
Reactive coarse aggregates: argillite, greywacke, quartz-arenite

14. 25 years 40 years
Field performance of Fly ash to control ASR
Lower Notch Dam
Spillway

15. DRI values
Field performance of Fly ash to control ASR
1cm
1cm

16. Test site at Picton, 1998
Bleszynski, Thomas &
Hooton
University of Toronto +
cement companies
≈ 18
years
Field performance of SCM to control ASR – Picton site
• Pavement slabs
• Spratt limestone
• Total binder content
of 420 kg/m3
• Control HA mixture;
binary & ternary
systems (SF, Sg)

17. OPC
8%SF
35%Sg
50%Sg
4%SF + 25%Sg
6%SF + 25%Sg
5%SF + 35%Sg
OPC
5%SF + 35%Sg
Damage Rating Index
10 mm
DRI values on cores (≈ 18 years)

18. OPC
8%SF
35%Sg
50%Sg
4%SF + 25%Sg
6%SF + 25%Sg
5%SF + 35%Sg
OPC
8%SF
1 cm
Damage Rating Index
35%Sg
10 mm
DRI values on cores (≈ 18 years)

19. OPC
8%SF
35%Sg
50%Sg
4%SF + 25%Sg
6%SF + 25%Sg
5%SF + 35%Sg
OPC
8%SF
5%SF + 35%Sg
1 cm
Damage Rating Index
35%Sg
10 mm
DRI values on cores (≈ 18 years)

20. OPC
8%SF
35%Sg
50%Sg
4%SF + 25%Sg
6%SF + 25%Sg
5%SF + 35%Sg
OPC
8%SF
5%SF + 35%Sg
1 cm
Damage Rating Index
35%Sg
CPT (2-year expansions)
10 mm
DRI values on cores (≈ 18 years)

21. • Reproducing field performance in the laboratory is a difficult task !!
Final thoughts

22. • Comparative field and laboratory testing is an investment for improving our
lab test procedures and eventually our specifications for better durability
concrete structures
• Do not underestimate the severity of field exposure → 100+ years design life !!
Final thoughts

23. Thank you for your kind
attention !!

24. • Concrete beams & slabs
• Reactive Spratt limestone
• Total binder content of 415 kg/m3
• Control LA & HA mixtures; binary & ternary
systems [18% FA; 25, 50% Sg; 3.8% SF + 25% Sg]
Kingston Outdoor Exposure Site (Ontario DOT) (1991…)

25. Kingston Outdoor Exposure Site (Ontario DOT) (1991…)
Hooton et al. 2013
Unreinforced concrete blocks
Concrete Prism Test (laboratory)

26. Series
Coarse
Aggregate
Type of mix
A NM (R) Control
B1 Ott (R) Control
B2 Ott (R)
20% FA
(Norcem)
B3 Ott (R)
30% FA
(Norcem)
C
Portugal
(NR)
Control
Sand: non-reactive; Norway
LNEC / KPN cube study – RILEM AAR-3 mix designs
NM gravel
(USA)
Ottersbo
cataclasite
(Norway)

27. Objectives:
• Efficacy of FA to control expansion due to ASR
• Effect of environmental conditions
• Validate lab test methods
LNEC / KPN cube study (2015…)

28. LNEC / KPN cube study – summary of results

29. Chaired by Børge J. Wigum (Heidelberg Cement Northern
Europe, Norway), with Jan Lindgård (SINTEF, Norway) as the
Secretary.
Main purpose : develop and promote a reliable performance-
based testing concept for the prevention of deleterious AAR
Background - RILEM TC 258-AAA (2014 – 2021)
• WP1 - Performance testing and accelerated testing in laboratory
(Terje F. Rønning; Heidelberg Cement Northern Europe, Norway)
• WP2 – Laboratory testing vs field performance
(Benoît Fournier; Université Laval, Canada)
• WP3 - Performance testing; Assessment of detailed alkali
inventory in concrete (Esperanza Menéndez; CSIC, Spain).

30. 25 years 40 years
DRI values
Field performance of Fly ash to control ASR
Lower Notch Dam

31. 700 mm
400
mm
400
mm
700 mm
400
mm
400
mm
CANMET outdoor exposure site (Ottawa, Canada)
Field performance of SCM to control ASR – CANMET site

32. Fournier et al. 2016
Field performance of SCM to control ASR – CANMET site
700 mm
400
mm
400
mm
700 mm
400
mm
400
mm
CPT
AMBT