PMSS Project Details

Project ID:	FHWA-PROJ-08-0040
Project Name:	Understanding the Alkali-Silica Reaction (ASR) Mechanism and Developing Rapid and Reliable Laboratory Test Methods to Address ASR Reactivity of Concrete Mixture Design
Status:	Active
Contact:	Last Name: Virmani First Name: Paul Telephone: 202-493-3052 E-mail: paul.virmani@dot.gov
Organization:	Federal Highway Administration - Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center (TFHRC)
Office:	Office of Infrastructure Research and Development
Team:	Infrastructure Management Team
Roadmap/Focus area(s):	Infrastructure Research and Technology Strategic Plan and Roadmap
Project Description:	The goal of this project is to eliminate/reduce the deteriorating effects of alkali-silica reactions (ASRs) in highway concrete structures, even when exposed to adverse natural environments by understanding alkali-silica reactions (ASRs) mechanisms and developing methodology to design concrete mix design resistant to alkali-silica reactions (ASRs) phenomenon. Another goal of this project is to develop an accelerated laboratory test method to replace the ASTM C 1260 test method, which takes one to two years to complete.
Laboratories:	Not Applicable
Start Date:	September 30, 2008
End Date:	December 31, 2013
Funding Amount:	$1,107,542.00
FHWA Program Name:	Alkali-Silica Reactivity
Goals:	The key project objectives are to: (1) Advance the fundamental understanding of an alkali-silica reaction (ASR). (2) Develop a rapid and reliable test method to evaluate concrete mixture design to assess alkali-silica reaction (ASR) reactivity.
Project Type:	Offsite
Background Information:	Data not yet available
Test Methodology:	The test approach is to use lightweight aggregate (LWA) to reduce the lithium content in concrete mixture to control alkali-silica reactions (ASRs). Another approach is to identify the mineralogy and composition of aggregates and fly ashes to design durable concrete mix design without lengthy laboratory evaluation.
Other Information:	Data not yet available
Partners:	Data not yet available
More Information URL(s):
Fieldtest:	Data not yet available
Expected Benefits:	The expected benefit is long-lasting structures with no alkali-silica reactions (ASR) for the design life.
Deliverables:	Name: Report Product Type(s): Research report Description: Methodology for concrete mix design with minimal laboratory evaluation. Audiences: Researchers Secondary Audiences:
Related URL(s):
Project Findings:	Data not yet available
FHWA Topics:	Roads and Bridges--Structures
TRT Terms:	Materials Maintenance Concrete Infrastructure Bridges Research
FHWA Disciplines:	Structures Pavement and Materials
Subject Areas:	Bridges and other structures Maintenance and Preservation Pavements