Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-8bhkd Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-06T07:47:11.449Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Is the Available Alkalitest a Good Durability Predictor for Fly Ash Concrete Incorporating Reactive Aggregate?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 February 2011

Robert L. Smith*
Affiliation:
ENRECO Laboratories, 6661-A Canyon E-Way, Amarillo, Texas 79110
Get access

Abstract

The available alkali test has been used for years as a method for preventing the use of a high-alkali fly ash in concrete containing reactive aggregate. This report presents data on fifteen good-quality Western ashes, both Class C and Class F, that are currently used in readymixed concrete. All fifteen ashes were effective in reducing the expansion due to the alkaliaggregate reaction. The reduction in mortar bar expansion (ASTM C 441) varied from 16% to 81%. Correlation of the percent reduction was made with available alkalies as Na2O, silica content, lime content, sulfur content, and the sum of silica, alumina and iron oxide. Surprisingly, the best correlation to percent reduction was with sulfur and the least was with available alkalies. This data indicates that most, if not all, fly ashes are effective in reducing the alkali aggregate reaction and that the available alkali test is not the best method for predicting the effectiveness of a fly ash in controlling this reaction.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1988

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

1. Stanton, T.E., in Proceedings of ASCE, Vol. 66, (1940), pp. 1781–1811.Google Scholar
2. Proceedings of the Fifty International Conference on Alkali-Aggregate Reaction in Concrete, Cape Town, South Africa (1981).Google Scholar
3. Proceedings of the Fourth International Conference on the Effects of Alkalies in Cement and Concrete, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana (1978).Google Scholar
4. The Effect of Alkalies on the Prooerties of Concrete, London (1976).Google Scholar
5. Svmposium of Alkali-Aggregate Reaction, Preventive Measures, Reykjavik (1975).Google Scholar
6. Scanlon, J.M., in Concrete Durability-Katharine and Bryant Mather International Conference, ACI SP-100, (American Concrete Institute, Detroit, 1987).Google Scholar
7. Lea, F.M., The Chemistry of Cement and Concrete, 3rd. Ed., (Chemical Publishing Co., 1971), pp. 569578.Google Scholar
8. Mindness, S. and Young, J.F., Concrete, (Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, N.J. 1981) pp. 140153.Google Scholar
9. Diamond, S., in Significance of Tests and Properties of Concrete and Concrete-Making Materials ASTM STP 169B, (American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, 1978), pp. 708721.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
10. Mather, B., NSGA Circular No. 122/NRMCA Publication No. 149, March 1975.Google Scholar
11. Barneyback, R.S. Jr. and Diamond, S., Cem. Concr. Res. 11,285295 (1981).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
12. Frohnsdorff, G., in Cement Standards-Evolution and Trends, edited by Mehta, P.K. (American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, 1978) ASTM STP 663, pp. 1634.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
13. Mehta, P.K. in Durability of Building Materials and Components, ASTM STP 691, edited by Serada, P. J. and Litvan, G.G. (American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, 1980), pp. 336345.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
14. Smith, R.L. and Raba, C.F., Jr. in Alkalies in Concrete. ASTM STP 930, edited by Dodson, V.H. (American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, 1986), pp. 5868.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
15. Influence of Alkali Content of Fly Ash on Effectiveness in Preventing Expansion of Concrete, Technical Report No. 6–627 (U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station, Corps of Engineers, Vicksburg, Miss., June 1983).Google Scholar
16. Diamond, S. and Lopez-Flores, F., in Effects of Fly Ash Incorporation in Cement and Concrete (Materials Research Society Annual Meeting, Symposium N, Boston, Nov. 1981).Google Scholar
17. Graham, D.E., NRMCA Publication No. 138 (1972).Google Scholar
18. Abdun-Nur, E.A., Highway Research Board Bulletin 284 (1961).Google Scholar
19. Pepper, L. and Mather, B., in Proceedings of ASTM. Vol. 59, 1959, pp. 1178–1202.Google Scholar
20. Dunstan, E.R. Jr., Cem. Concr. Aggreg. 3, 101104 (1981).Google Scholar
21. Stark, D., Cem. Concr. Aggreg. 2, 9294 (1980).Google Scholar
22. Smith, R.L. (Unpublished).Google Scholar