Assessing the reliability of laboratory test procedures for predicting concrete field performance against alkali-aggregate reaction (AAR)

Alkali aggregate reaction (AAR) affected structures show reduced serviceability and premature distress in over 50 countries worldwide. Several laboratory test protocols have been proposed to evaluate the potential reactivity of aggregates by varying the conditions known to trigger and sustain the re...

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Main Authors: Ana Bergmann, Leandro F.M. Sanchez
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-03-01
Series:Cement
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666549225000064
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author Ana Bergmann
Leandro F.M. Sanchez
author_facet Ana Bergmann
Leandro F.M. Sanchez
author_sort Ana Bergmann
collection DOAJ
description Alkali aggregate reaction (AAR) affected structures show reduced serviceability and premature distress in over 50 countries worldwide. Several laboratory test protocols have been proposed to evaluate the potential reactivity of aggregates by varying the conditions known to trigger and sustain the reaction. Among them, the most popular methods are the accelerated mortar bar test (AMBT) and the concrete prism test (CPT). Nevertheless, exposure site data, displaying the behaviour of concrete blocks exposed to real environmental conditions, has increased considerably recently, showing significant discrepancies between laboratory and concrete field performance. This study explores the reliability of laboratory tests, indicating moderate accuracy in predicting field performance for the AMBT and the CPT. The findings highlight an opportunity for recalibration of these methods through advanced analytical models that account for environmental conditions, alkali content, and the presence of SCMs to improve predictive accuracy. These measures will enhance concrete infrastructure safety by identifying risks associated with incorporating AAR-prone aggregates into new structures.
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spelling doaj-art-f531882c5e424bd79c9f0978329a47402025-02-04T04:10:37ZengElsevierCement2666-54922025-03-0119100133Assessing the reliability of laboratory test procedures for predicting concrete field performance against alkali-aggregate reaction (AAR)Ana Bergmann0Leandro F.M. Sanchez1Department of Civil Engineering, University of Ottawa, 161 Louis-Pasteur Private, Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 6N5, Canada; Correspondence author at: Department of Civil Engineering, University of Ottawa, 161 Louis-Pasteur Private, Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 6N5, Canada.Department of Civil Engineering, University of Ottawa, 161 Louis-Pasteur Private (CBY A515), Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 6N5, CanadaAlkali aggregate reaction (AAR) affected structures show reduced serviceability and premature distress in over 50 countries worldwide. Several laboratory test protocols have been proposed to evaluate the potential reactivity of aggregates by varying the conditions known to trigger and sustain the reaction. Among them, the most popular methods are the accelerated mortar bar test (AMBT) and the concrete prism test (CPT). Nevertheless, exposure site data, displaying the behaviour of concrete blocks exposed to real environmental conditions, has increased considerably recently, showing significant discrepancies between laboratory and concrete field performance. This study explores the reliability of laboratory tests, indicating moderate accuracy in predicting field performance for the AMBT and the CPT. The findings highlight an opportunity for recalibration of these methods through advanced analytical models that account for environmental conditions, alkali content, and the presence of SCMs to improve predictive accuracy. These measures will enhance concrete infrastructure safety by identifying risks associated with incorporating AAR-prone aggregates into new structures.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666549225000064Alkali-aggregate reaction (aar)Field predictionLaboratory testLaboratory test reliabilityconcrete durability
spellingShingle Ana Bergmann
Leandro F.M. Sanchez
Assessing the reliability of laboratory test procedures for predicting concrete field performance against alkali-aggregate reaction (AAR)
Cement
Alkali-aggregate reaction (aar)
Field prediction
Laboratory test
Laboratory test reliability
concrete durability
title Assessing the reliability of laboratory test procedures for predicting concrete field performance against alkali-aggregate reaction (AAR)
title_full Assessing the reliability of laboratory test procedures for predicting concrete field performance against alkali-aggregate reaction (AAR)
title_fullStr Assessing the reliability of laboratory test procedures for predicting concrete field performance against alkali-aggregate reaction (AAR)
title_full_unstemmed Assessing the reliability of laboratory test procedures for predicting concrete field performance against alkali-aggregate reaction (AAR)
title_short Assessing the reliability of laboratory test procedures for predicting concrete field performance against alkali-aggregate reaction (AAR)
title_sort assessing the reliability of laboratory test procedures for predicting concrete field performance against alkali aggregate reaction aar
topic Alkali-aggregate reaction (aar)
Field prediction
Laboratory test
Laboratory test reliability
concrete durability
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666549225000064
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