The prediction of alkali-silica reaction based on the alkali-Al ratio of pore solution using thermodynamic modeling

Abstract

With the aim to predict ASR based on the Alkali-Al ratio of pore solution, blends consisting of Portland cement and various SCMs, including MK, FA, GGBS, SF, and GP, were formulated using thermodynamic modeling. The solid phase assemblages and pore solution compositions were measured by means of XRD, TGA, and ICP-OES. The wrapped AMBT was carried out to confirm the ASR prediction performance. Results showed that ASR expansion increases with the Alkali-Al ratio of pore solution and the reactivity of the used aggregate. The feasibility of predicting ASR based on Alkali-Al ratios using thermodynamic modeling was verified by comparing the prediction effects and the experimental results. In addition, a ternary diagram for predicting the ASR risk when using PC-SF/MK/FA/GGBS-GP blends was proposed, through which the efficacy of various SCMs on mitigating ASR can also be evaluated.