Compressive creep of a concrete affected by advanced alkali-aggregate reaction

Abstract

Many structures around the world are affected by Alkali-Aggregate Reaction (AAR). This pathology is characterized by the formation of a swelling gel, which leads to cracking of the concrete and degrades durability and structural behaviour. In order to better understand the coupling between AAR and creep, a comparative study investigated the behaviour of a concrete affected by AAR and a non-reactive concrete, both under maintained uniaxial compression. The conditions necessary for the development of the AAR were preserved during the creep phase. Loading corresponding to 30% of the compressive strength of the concretes was applied after the concrete had developed three quarters of its swelling potential. The radial and orthoradial strains were measured by fibre optics. The results show a resorption of 56.1% of the swellings in the loaded direction after 231 days under loading, associated with total transfer of the deformations in the free directions.