journal article·2025-12Open access

Reactivity of quartzite aggregate to cement alkalis studied by means of standardised and NDT

Servando Chinchón-Payá, Luana Abreu, Julio Emilio Torres, Nuria Rebolledo, Javier Sánchez, Sylvia de Gregorio, Manuel Ordóñez

Abstract

This study experimentally evaluates the alkali reactivity potential of a quartzite aggregate employed in the production of concrete for a low-emission radioactive waste storage facility. For comparison, a granitic aggregate and the Spratt's aggregate were also analysed. The study was conducted sequentially. Initially, petrographic analysis of thin sections and accelerated expansion tests on mortar specimens were performed. These preliminary tests indicated signs of alkali-silica reactivity; however due to inconclusive results, a standardized concrete prism test was subsequently carried out. In addition, ultrasonic pulse velocity and electrical resistivity measurements were monitored as indicators of potential degradation. Petrographic analysis suggested possible reactivity in all three aggregates, although the degree of reactivity could not be determined. Accelerated mortar tests identified only the granitic aggregates as non-reactive. Concrete prisms incorporating quartzite aggregates exhibited no signs of reactivity, regardless of whether the material was used as fine or coarse aggregate. Resistivity measurements proved useful as an experimental control parameter, while ultrasonic pulse velocity monitoring provided insight into potential internal degradation, as it correlated with expansion.
Source: openalex_inverted_index · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Concrete and Cement Materials Research · Recycled Aggregate Concrete Performance · Innovative concrete reinforcement materials

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

References (36)

Show source-provided references
1. Monitoring in a reinforced concrete structure for storing low and intermediate level radioactive waste. Lessons learnt after 25 years10.1016/j.net.2022.12.004 ↗
2. N. Rebolledo, J.E. Torres, S. Chinchón, J. Sánchez, S. de Gregorio, I. López, M. Ordóñez, Monitoring of Reinforced Concrete Structures: Disposal of Low and Intermediate Level Radioactive Waste BT - International RILEM Conference on Synergising Expertise towards Sustainability and Robustness of Cement-based Materials and Concrete Structures, in: A. Jędrzejewska, F. Kanavaris, M. Azenha, F. Benboudjema, D. Schlicke (Eds.), Springer Nature Switzerland, Cham, 2023: pp. 879–890..10.1007/978-3-031-33211-1_79 ↗
3. Sims · 2017
4. Alkali-silica reaction: current understanding of the reaction mechanisms and the knowledge gaps10.1016/j.cemconres.2015.05.024 ↗
5. Alkali silica reaction in concrete - revealing the expansion mechanism by surface force measurements10.1016/j.cemconres.2023.107392 ↗
6. Particle size of aggregate and its influence upon the expansion caused by the alkali—silica reaction10.1680/macr.1979.31.109.235 ↗
7. The effect of supplementary cementing materials on alkali-silica reaction: A review10.1016/j.cemconres.2010.11.003 ↗
8. Extension of the chemical index model for estimating Alkali-Silica reaction mitigation efficiency to slags and natural pozzolans10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.05.217 ↗
9. Cracking susceptibility of concrete made with coarse recycled concrete aggregates10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2015.11.022 ↗
10. Overall assessment of alkali-silica reaction affected recycled concrete aggregate mixtures derived from construction and demolition waste10.1016/j.cemconres.2020.106350 ↗
11. Assessment of the potential reactivity of granitic rocks - petrography and expansion tests10.1016/j.cemconres.2016.05.001 ↗
12. Relationship between aggregate microstructure and mortar expansion. A case study of deformed granitic rocks from the Santa Rosa mylonite zone10.1007/s10853-007-2175-8 ↗
13. Release of alkalis from reactive andesitic aggregates and fly ashes into pore solution in mortars
14. Lagerblad, Alkali release from silicate minerals and alkali-silica reaction in concrete, in: B. Drimalas, T., Ideker, J.H. & Fournier (Ed.), Proceedings of the 14th International Conference on Alkali-Aggregate Reaction in Concrete, Audtin, Texas, 2012: pp. 1–6..
15. Alkali release from aggregates in long-service concrete structures: laboratory test evaluation and ASR prediction10.3390/ma11081393 ↗
16. RILEM TC 258-AAA Round Robin Test: Alkali release from aggregates and petrographic analysis. Critical review of the test method AAR-8
17. Addition of quartzite residues on mortars: analysis of the alkali aggregate reaction and the mechanical behavior10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2016.05.079 ↗
18. Study of reactive powder concrete using quartzite tailings from the state of Minas Gerais - Brazil10.1016/j.promfg.2020.01.091 ↗
19. Compressive, flexural strength test and chloride ion permeability test of concrete incorporating quartzite rock dust10.1016/j.matpr.2021.01.166 ↗
20. AENOR, UNE 146508:2018 Ensayo de áridos. Determinación de la reactividad potencial álcali-sílice y álcali-silicato de los áridos. Método acelerado en probetas de mortero, (2018).
21. ASTM, ASTM C1260 - 21: Standard Test Method for Potential Alkali Reactivity of Aggregates (Mortar-Bar Method), (n.d.).
22. Using electrical resistivity to determine the efficiency of supplementary cementitious materials to prevent alkali-silica reaction in concrete10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2021.104282 ↗
23. Evaluation of the durability of concretes containing alkali-activated slag exposed to the alkali-silica reaction by measuring electrical resistivity10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.130094 ↗
24. Concrete quality designation based on ultrasonic pulse velocity10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2016.08.158 ↗
25. Evaluation of condition of concrete structures using ultrasonic pulse velocity method
26. RILEM Recommended Test Method AAR-0: Detection of Alkali-Reactivity Potential in Concrete – Outline guide to the use of RILEM methods in assessments of aggregates for potential alkali-reactivity10.1007/BF02481527 ↗
27. Multilaboratory study of the concrete prism and accelerated mortar bar expansion tests with Spratt aggregate
28. The effect of elevated conditioning temperature on the ASR expansion, cracking and properties of reactive Spratt aggregate concrete10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.02.104 ↗
29. EUROPEAN STANDARD, UNE-EN 196-2:2014. Métodos de ensayo de cementos. Parte 2: Análisis químico de cementos, (2014).
30. RILEM_TC_191-ARP, RILEM Recommended Test Method AAR-0. Detection of Alkali-Reactivity Potential in Concrete—Outline guide to the use of RILEM methods in assessments of aggregates for potential alkali-reactivity., Mater Struct 36 (2003) 472–479..10.1617/14059 ↗
31. RILEM Recommended Test Method: AAR-2—Detection of Potential Alkali-Reactivity—Accelerated Mortar-Bar Test Method for Aggregates
32. AENOR, UNE 146509:2018 Determinación de la reactividad potencial de los áridos con los alcalinos. Método de los prismas de hormigón, 2018.
33. ASTM, ASTM C1293 Test Method for Determination of Length Change of Concrete Due to Alkali-Silica Reaction, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1520/C1293-20A.10.1520/C1293-20A ↗
34. RILEM Recommended Test Method: AAR-3—Detection of Potential Alkali-Reactivity-38 °C Test Method for Aggregate Combinations Using Concrete Prisms
35. UNE, UNE 83988-2:2014. Durabilidad del hormigón. Métodos de ensayo. Determinación de la resistividad eléctrica. Parte 2: Método de las cuatro puntas o de Wenner., n.d..
36. EN 12504-4:2021. Testing concrete in structures Determination of ultrasonic pulse velocity, (n.d.).