Date of Award

8-2005

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Civil and Construction Engineering

First Advisor

Dr. Sherif A. Yehia

Second Advisor

Dr. Osama Abudayyeh

Third Advisor

Dr. Ahmad Jrade

Access Setting

Masters Thesis-Open Access

Abstract

Alkali silica reaction (ASR) is one of the most prevalent causes of concrete deterioration worldwide. A study done in 1995 showing the impact of ASR on structures stated that 104 concrete dams and spillways, massive concrete structures, have been damaged by alkali silica reaction up to date. Since its discovery by Stanton (1940), there has been significant research on ASR, and major advances have been made in understanding the mechanism underlying ASR-induced expansion and in developing methods of preventing ASR in new and existing concrete through proper measures including proper materials selection and mixture proportioning.

This thesis summarizes the findings and the state-of-the-art of numerous land mark references and researches done in the field of evaluating and mitigating alkali silica reaction. Also this thesis evaluates the use of two major identification methods: the ASTM C 1260, and the staining method in investigating virgin and recycled aggregates from known sources. Also it evaluates the use of a mitigating method which is fly ash class F in different replacement percentages to investigate fly ash's ability to mitigate the ASR expansion problem.

The results of this experiment shared that the virgin aggregate tested has a potential for ASR and using 25 % fly ash was enough for mitigating the problem Also it was found that the tested recycled aggregates may have a high potentiality of ASR, and the use of 15 % fly ash class f replacement is not enough to mitigate the problem but 25 % replacement would mitigate the ASR induced expansion. Finally testing the recycled aggregate with extra de-icing salt added worsens the ASR problem and fly ash at 25 % can still mitigate the problem

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