Characterization of amorphous and crystalline ASR products formed in concrete aggregates. (November 2020) - Leemann, Andreas
Abstract: Amorphous and crystalline alkali silica reaction (ASR) products formed in aggregates of two different concrete mixtures exposed to the concrete prim test both at 38 °C and 60 °C have been analysed by scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and by Raman microscopy. Additionally, amorphous ASR products were synthesized and analysed with Raman microscopy and 29 Si nuclear magnetic resonance. Amorphous ASR products display a higher Na/K-ratio than crystalline ones. Both types of products display a structure dominated by Q 3 -sites (Si-tetrahedra with three bridging oxygen atoms typical for a layer structure) with a secondary amount of Q 2 -sites (Si-tetrahedra with two bridging oxygen atoms typical for a chain structure). Temperature in the CPT alters the structure of the crystalline ASR. While the Raman spectra of the product formed at 38 °C is identical to the one formed in concrete structures, the one of the 60 °C product corresponds to K-shlykovite.