Validation of complex electrical properties of concrete affected by accelerated alkali-silica reaction

Abstract

Alkali-silica reaction (ASR) is one of the most damaging problems with chemical alteration causing mechanical and physical changes in the concrete properties. Therefore in order to control concrete durability, a fast, non-destructive method aiming at detecting ASR is needed before an advanced stage (external visible signs) especially in field investigation. This paper focuses on the validation of the complex electrical measurements using spectral induced polarization (SIP) to monitor ASR development in concrete. Significant relationships were studied between the electro-chemical and physico-mechanical properties of concrete affected by ASR over time (22 weeks in accelerated conditions). Non-destructive methods (SIP, ultrasonic pulse velocity, expansion, and mass variation) and destructive testing (compressive strength, modulus of elasticity, petrographic examination) were used to monitor concrete mixtures (reactive and reference) submitted to accelerated laboratory test conditions. A significant evolution of SIP responses (phase lag, total chargeability, mean relaxation time) was found in the concrete specimens affected by ASR over the low frequency range. This observation was confirmed by other measurements specially expansion, UPV, modulus of elasticity, and petrographic analysis. Finally, this paper suggests SIP method as an effective non-destructive technique to monitor ASR development.