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

Journal Article · Mon Dec 21 00:00:00 EST 2015 · Cement Concrete Res.

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2015.07.012· OSTI ID:1228101

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

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1. Paul Scherrer Inst., Villigen (Switzerland)
2. Phase Solutions Ltd., Lausanne (Switzerland)
3. European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF), Grenoble (France); Ecole Ploytechnique Federale de Lausanne (Switzerland)
4. Phase Solutions Ltd., Lausanne (Switzerland); Ecole Ploytechnique Federale de Lausanne (Switzerland)
5. Empa-Swiss Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Dubendorf (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 particular 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. Furthermore, it is conceivable that understanding the structure of the ASR product may help developing new technical treatments inhibiting ASR.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States). Advanced Photon Source (APS)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 1228101
• Journal Information: Cement Concrete Res., Vol. 79, Issue 01; ISSN 2186-2745
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: ENGLISH