Efficacy of SCMs to mitigate ASR in systems with higher alkali contents assessed by pore solution method

This study demonstrates the efficacy of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) to mitigate alkali-silica reaction (ASR) even when used in conjunction with cement of higher alkali contents (up to 1% Na2Oeq). The expansion of concrete prisms was studied immersed in simulated pore solution in order to address the limitations of conventional ASR testing methods, accelerated mortar bar test (AMBT) and concrete prism test (CPT). Expansion results demonstrate that 25% fly ash and 50% slag are both sufficient to mitigate ASR even with cements with alkali content up to 1% Na2Oeq and that the pore solution method is a viable alternative ASR testing method. Massive amounts of ASR products (similar to 20 mu m thickness) were observed in concretes without SCMs consistent with high degree of expansion and extensive cracking. Small amounts of ASR products (