Application of micro X-ray diffraction to investigate the reaction products formed by the alkali–silica reaction in concrete structures

Journal Article · Fri Jan 15 04:00:00 EST 2016 · Cement and Concrete Research

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.CEMCONRES.2015.07.012· OSTI ID:22696534

Arakcheeva, A. ^[1]; Schaub, Ph. ^[2]; Pattison, P. ^[3]; Chapuis, G. ^[1]; Grolimund, D. ^[4]; Wieland, E. ^[2]; Leemann, A. ^[5]

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1. Phase Solutions Ltd, Ch. des Mésanges 7, 1012 Lausanne (Switzerland)
2. Laboratory for Waste Management, Paul Scherrer Institut, 5232 Villigen PSI (Switzerland)
3. Swiss–Norwegian Beam Lines, European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, 71 Avenue des Martyrs, 38043 Cedex 9 Grenoble (France)
4. Swiss Light Source, Paul Scherrer Institut, 5232 Villigen PSI (Switzerland)
5. Laboratory for Concrete and Construction Chemistry, Empa–Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Ueberlandstrasse 129, 8600 Dübendorf (Switzerland)

Alkali–silica reaction (ASR) is one of the most important deterioration mechanisms in concrete leading to substantial damages of structures worldwide. Synchrotron-based micro-X-ray diffraction (micro-XRD) was employed to characterize the mineral phases formed in micro-cracks of concrete aggregates as a consequence of ASR. This high spatial resolution technique enables to directly gain structural information on ASR products formed in a 40-year old motorway bridge damaged due to ASR. Micro-X-ray-fluorescence was applied on thin sections to locate the reaction products formed in veins within concrete aggregates. Micro-XRD pattern were collected at selected points of interest along a vein by rotating the sample. Rietveld refinement determined the structure of the ASR product consisting of a new layered framework similar to mountainite and rhodesite. It is conceivable that understanding the structure of the ASR product may help developing new technical treatments inhibiting ASR.

• OSTI ID: 22696534
• Journal Information: Cement and Concrete Research, Journal Name: Cement and Concrete Research Vol. 79; ISSN 0008-8846; ISSN CCNRAI
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
CONCRETES
SPATIAL RESOLUTION
X RADIATION
X-RAY DIFFRACTION