The Use of Pessimum Effect to Reduce the Expansion of Concretes Based on ASR Reactive Aggregates

Abstract

This paper describes how the alkali-silica reaction (ASR) concrete expansion tests at 60°C (140°F) and 100 % relative humidity showed that siliceous limestone aggregates could have pessimum behavior similar to that of flint aggregate. For a given content of alkalis, a concrete made with fine and coarse reactive aggregates expands less than concrete made with reactive fine aggregate and no reactive coarse aggregate. The higher the reactivity of the aggregate, the higher is the observed expansion reduction. This expansion reduction effect could be used to make concrete that would have a low level expansion.