Abstract
Abstract Mortar bar expansion tests sometimes provide unreliable data concerning the potential reactivity of aggregates in an alkaline medium. The most widely used mortar bar test, known as the Test Method for Potential Alkali Reactivity of Cement-Aggregate Combinations (Mortar Bar Method) (ASTM C 227) is a case in point. The alkali-carbonate reaction, which is outside the scope of this standard, will not be discussed in this paper. The procedure related to the storage conditions and the leaching of the alkalies from the bars have been the subject of several recent papers. The investigation presented in this paper covers six deleteriously expansive coarse aggregates, which were correctly evaluated when tested in concrete prisms, but not in mortar bars. The Test Method for Potential Reactivity of Aggregates (Chemical Method) (ASTM C 289) has also been used but was not found to be reliable. Based on data developed from the above tests and a complete petrographic examination, it is concluded that reducing the particle size of the materials as required in the mortar bar test contributes to a decrease in expansion.
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