Chemical Development of the Fluid from Pores of Admixture-Bearing Mortars Affected by the Alkali-Aggregate Reaction

Hardened concrete contains interconnected pores if, during its production, the quantity of water used is higher than that required to do away with capillary continuity of the paste. These pores contain ions in solution from the chemical reactions that take place. The major ionic components involved in the reactions may vary in concrete affected by the alkali-silica reaction (ASR), in contrast with concrete with no ASR. By applying the fundamentals of the Longuet et. al. method, the composition of the liquids contained in the pores of specially proportioned mixtures has been studied. This paper presents the results of the research work carried out up to the age of 180 days in order to know the chemical composition of the liquid contained in the pores of hardened mortars, whether affected or not by the ASR, and that of others to which pozzolans had been added so as to prevent excessive expansion due to ASR.