PMSS Project Details

Project ID:	FHWA-PROJ-11-0069
Project Name:	Determining an Aggregate's Potential for Forming Alkali-Silica Reactivity (ASR) Gels in Concrete
Status:	Active
Contact:	Last Name: Arnold First Name: Terry Telephone: 202-493-3305 E-mail: terry.arnold@dot.gov
Organization:	Federal Highway Administration - Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center (TFHRC)
Office:	Office of Infrastructure Research and Development
Team:	Pavement Materials Team
Roadmap/Focus area(s):	Not Applicable Infrastructure Research and Technology Strategic Plan and Roadmap
Project Description:	The project will develop accelerated test methods to evaluate the alkali-silica reaction potential of an aggregate to form alkali-silica reactivity (ASR) gels if used in concrete. We want to try a technique using Raman spectroscopy to study the surface chemistry of the uncrushed aggregate. We also want to develop a technique for producing alkali-silica reaction gels on the surface, possibly with heat and pressure, and detect the presence of alkali-silica reaction gels using Raman spectroscopy. Detection of trace metals in the aggregate, which may be involved in the alkali-silica reaction gel reaction, would be determined by x-ray fluorescence spectrometry.
Laboratories:	Chemistry Laboratory Concrete Laboratory Aggregate and Petrographic Laboratory
Start Date:	October 1, 2011
End Date:	December 31, 2013
Funding Amount:	$177,600.00
FHWA Program Name:	Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center
Goals:	The key project objective is to develop a rapid test method to determine the potential of an aggregate to form alkali-silica reactivity (ASR) gels in concrete.
Project Type:	Onsite
Background Information:	No fast, reliable test exists that can determine if an aggregate will form alkali-silica reaction gels when used in concrete mixes. Current tests rely on crushing the aggregate, which exposes fresh aggregate faces not present in the mix had the aggregate not been crushed. Then a concrete specimen is made, which is immersed in a sodium hydroxide solution for either 14 days according to the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) 1260 or two years according to ASTM 1293, and measuring the expansion that takes place. The tests are very time consuming and generally not reliable.
Test Methodology:	Use of heat, pressure, and chemicals to rapidly generate alkali-silica reactivity (ASR) gels on the surface of aggregates.
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 the ability to use local aggregates, which may have been rejected by American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) 1260 and ASTM 1293 tests.
Deliverables:	Name: Test to evaluate aggregates' potential for forming alkali-silica reactivity (ASR) gel. Product Type(s): Research report, Draft standard, specifications, or guidelines Description: The approach involves chemically attacking the aggregate and evaluating the products. Soluble Si will be examined using x-ray fluorescence (XRF), and the presence of alkali-silica reactivity (ASR) will be determined using Raman spectroscopy. Audiences: State highway agencies, Concrete industry, Pavement engineers Secondary Audiences: , Concrete producers, Portland cement concrete pavement (PCCP) contractors
Related URL(s):
Project Findings:	Data not yet available
FHWA Topics:	Roads and Bridges--Pavement and Materials Research/Technologies--Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center (TFHRC)
TRT Terms:	Concrete Aggregates Alkali Silica Reactions Spectroscopy Infrastructure Research Pavements Research
FHWA Disciplines:	Pavement and Materials
Subject Areas:	Pavements