How do mechanical properties evolve in alkali-silica reaction affected concretes?

Precise assessment of long-term aging and deterioration mechanisms play a major role in lifetime predictions of concrete structures. Chemical reactions such as alkali silica reaction (ASR), where an expansive gel is formed, cause significant concrete degradation over the years. Studies on ASR have been conducted for years although available experimental results in the literature provide divergent conclusions. The complexity to characterize ASR damage in concrete structures comes from the fact that in cementitious materials, multiple chemical reactions happen at the same time. In addition, environmental conditions are also an important factor as they influence greatly the chemical kinetics. Some of the performed work involves mechanical testing of ASR affected and non-affected concrete samples. Compression, split tensile, and fracture tests were performed at different ages throughout one year to characterize aging and ASR effects on the mechanical properties of ASR affected concretes.