Alkali aggregate reaction

• Alkali aggregate reaction is a term mainly referring

to a reaction which occurs over time in concrete
between the highly alkaline cement paste and non
crystalline silicon dioxide, which is found in many
common aggregates.
• This reaction can cause expansion of the altered
aggregate, leading to spalling and loss of strength of
the concrete.
• Chemical reaction in either concrete or mortar
between hydroxyl ions (OH-) of the alkalies (sodium
and potassium) from hydraulic cement (or other
sources), and certain constituents of some
aggregates.
• The alkalis may come from the cement, chemical and
mineral admixtures, impurities in aggregate or water.
The reaction itself needs the presence of moisture.
• The first step in this reaction happened on the surface
of the aggregate, where the Si-O bonds are dissolved
by OH-. Thus, the silica becomes available to combine
with the alkalis to form alkali-silica gel.
•
SiO2 + KOH (in the presence of moisture) —›Alkali silica gel
 Identification of AAR
• ASR is a very slow reaction and may take many
years to show up at the surface of the concrete
and get detected.
• Cracking due to ASR generally shows up as a
map pattern on the surface.
• Irregular small cracks form at the surface. These
are unsightly, but are rarely the cause of a
structural collapse.
• Surface aggregates can often pop out of the
concrete due to expansion.
 Protection against ASR
• Use of low alkali cement (< 0.6% equivalent Na2O).
Preventing access of moisture.
• Using coatings (such as silane, which allows water
vapour to go out of concrete, but does not permit
water to come in) or waterproofing agents.
• Use of chemical admixtures such as Lithium salts
(LiNO3, LiOH, etc.) or alkyl alkoxy silanes, which bind
the reactive silica into a non-expansive product.
• Use of mineral admixtures such as silica fume.
(reducing the penetration of water)
 Alkali Carbonate reaction
• Alkali carbonate reaction (ACR) occurs with
some classes of carbonate rocks (especially
dolomite). The reaction is closely associated
with the texture of dolomite.
• Alkali ions (Na+/K+) are designated by the
letter M:
CaMg(CO)3 + MOH —›Mg(OH)2 +CaCO3 + M2CO3

M2CO3 + Ca(OH)2 —›2 MOH + CaCO3

 Expansion could be caused by a
number of mechanisms:
• Uptake of water by the clay minerals
• Migration of water and alkali ions into the
restricted space of the aggregate
• Growth and rearrangement of reaction
products
• Formation of brucite