Title:
An Innovative Approach to Fly Ash Characterization and Evaluation to Prevent Alkali-Silica Reaction
Author(s):
Anol K. Mukhopadhyay, Kai-Wei Liu, and Mostafa Jalal
Publication:
Materials Journal
Volume:
116
Issue:
4
Appears on pages(s):
173-181
Keywords:
accelerated concrete cylinder test (ACCT); advanced characterization; alkali silica reaction (ASR); emerging test methods; fly ash; pozzolans; quantitative X-ray diffraction (QXRD)
DOI:
10.14359/51716751
Date:
7/1/2019
Abstract:
The main objective of this study was to conduct a full-scale characterization of different types of fly ashes using conventional as well as advanced techniques and evaluating their effectiveness to prevent alkali-silica reaction (ASR) using an emerging accelerated concrete cylinder test (ACCT). The full-scale characterization of fly ashes involves evaluation of type and content of crystalline phases and amorphous content by quantitative X-ray diffraction (QXRD), soluble available alkalis (ASTM C311), and pore solution chemistry along with determination of parameters by the conventional ASTM C618. A favorable comparison between characteristic chemical and mineralogical parameters of the fly ashes and ACCT-based ASR performance prediction was observed. This combined innovative approach was found to be effective to test the effectiveness (optimization) of different types of fly ashes to prevent ASR in a rapid (within 75 days) and reliable manner and formulate case-specific, performance-based, ASR-resistant concrete mixtures using locally available fly ashes.