A NEW APPROACH TO THE ACCELERATED METHOD FOR ASSESSING THE ALKALI REACTIVITY OF DOMESTIC AGGREGATES

Abstract

In Poland, the prevailing protocols for examining the alkali reactivity of aggregates are based on indirect methodologies such as petrographic appraisal, in addition to direct methodologies including the measurement of expansion in mortar and concrete specimens containing the aggregate under investigation. The available research methods exhibit certain deficiencies, which have been mitigated under the experimental conditions delineated in the novel accelerated approach for ascertaining the reactivity of aggregates, otherwise known as the MCPT – Miniature Concrete Prism Test. The methodology of MCPT has the potential to become an alternative for the existing procedures of quality assessment for both fine and coarse aggregates. This work presents the assessment results of the alkaline reactivity of indigenous fine quartz aggregate, examined in accordance with the protocols established by the Polish General Directorate for National Roads and Motorways along together the novel, expedited MCPT methodology.