The Use of Lithium to Prevent Or Mitigate Alkali-Silica Reaction in Concrete Pavements and Structures

Chapter 6. Summary

1. Lithium-based admixtures can be used to control expansion due to ASR provided they are used in sufficient quantity. The amount of lithium required increases as the amount of alkali in the concrete increases. LiNO₃ is more efficient (i.e., can be used in lesser amounts) than other lithium compounds.
2. Some aggregates require higher doses of lithium than others for efficiently controlling deleterious expansion due to ASR. It would appear that lithium is more effective with rapidly reactive aggregates containing opaline silica, chert, or volcanic glass as the reactive component, and that lithium is relatively less efficient (at similar dosages) with more moderately reactive aggregates that contain microcrystalline or strained quartz as the reactive phase.
3. At this time, it is recommended that the lithium dose required to control ASR with a specific aggregate be determined by testing using the concrete prism test, with an expansion limit of 0.04 percent at 2 years.
4. Laboratory testing has shown that ASR-affected concrete specimens can be treated topically using lithium-based compounds to slow down the rate of expansion.
5. Many structures have been treated with lithium using either a simple topical application or electrochemical or vacuum impregnation techniques to increase lithium penetration.
6. The extent to which lithium penetrates hardened concrete or controls expansion in the field structures has not been unequivocally established.
7. It is recommended that treated structures be monitored and tested to provide information on the efficacy of lithium treatment.

Acknowledgements

A special thank you goes to the FHWA Expert Panel for their assistance reviewing this document and providing useful feedback that was integrated into the final printed version of this facts book.

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