Alkali-carbonate reaction in concrete - Microstructural consequences and mechanism of expansion

IF 10.9 1区工程技术 Q1 CONSTRUCTION & BUILDING TECHNOLOGY

Cement and Concrete Research Pub Date : 2025-04-22 DOI:10.1016/j.cemconres.2025.107903

Andreas Leemann , Beat Münch , Barbara Lothenbach , Ellina Bernard , Cassandra Trottier , Frank Winnefeld , Leandro Sanchez

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

A detailed microstructural investigation of a concrete expanding due to alkali‑carbonate reaction (ACR) shows that the cement paste adjacent to reactive aggregate particles is carbonated, which leads to a sulfur redistribution resembling internal sulfate attack. Simultaneously to dedolomitization, partial dissolution of illite occurs in aggregate particles leading to the formation of brucite, hydrotalcite, magnesium-silicate-hydrate (M-S-H) and calcium‑aluminum-silicate-hydrate (C-A-S-H), in addition to calcite and thus to a substantial increase in solid volume. Thermodynamic modelling indicates that the simultaneous presence of illite and dolomite can accelerate the reactions within the aggregates. No alkali-silica reaction (ASR) products are observed. Dolomite, illite and all reaction products display a negative ζ-potential at high pH generating repulsive forces during dedolomitization. Together with the substantial increase in molar volume, the concrete expansion can be mainly attributed to the solidification pressure of hydrotalcite and M-S-H formation.

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来源期刊

Cement and Concrete Research 工程技术-材料科学：综合

CiteScore

20.90

自引率

12.30%

发文量

318

审稿时长

53 days

期刊介绍： Cement and Concrete Research is dedicated to publishing top-notch research on the materials science and engineering of cement, cement composites, mortars, concrete, and related materials incorporating cement or other mineral binders. The journal prioritizes reporting significant findings in research on the properties and performance of cementitious materials. It also covers novel experimental techniques, the latest analytical and modeling methods, examination and diagnosis of actual cement and concrete structures, and the exploration of potential improvements in materials.