University of Arkansas, Fayetteville ScholarWorks@UARK Theses and Dissertations 8-2017 Mitigation and Evaluation of Alkali-Silica Reaction (ASR) and Freezing and Thawing in Concrete Transportation Structures Richard Albert Deschenes Jr. University of Arkansas, Fayetteville Follow this and additional works at: http://scholarworks.uark.edu/etd Part of the Civil Engineering Commons, Structural Materials Commons, and the Transportation Engineering Commons Recommended Citation Deschenes, Richard Albert Jr., "Mitigation and Evaluation of Alkali-Silica Reaction (ASR) and Freezing and Thawing in Concrete Transportation Structures" (2017). Theses and Dissertations. 2467. http://scholarworks.uark.edu/etd/2467 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by ScholarWorks@UARK. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks@UARK. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. Mitigation and Evaluation of Alkali-Silica Reaction (ASR) and Freezing and Thawing in Concrete Transportation Structures TITLE PAGE A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering with a Concentration in Civil Engineering by Richard A. Deschenes Jr. University of Arkansas Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, 2012 University of Arkansas Masters of Science in Civil Engineering, 2014 August 2017 University of Arkansas This dissertation is approved for recommendation to the Graduate Council. Dr. W. Micah Hale Dr. Gary Prinz Dissertation Chair Committee Member Dr. Mark Arnold Dr. Thano Drimalas Committee Member Ex-Officio Member Dr. Benoit Fournier Dr. Eric Giannini Ex-Officio Member Ex-Officio Member ABSTRACT An evaluation of alkali-silica reaction (ASR) and freezing and thawing (F/T) in concrete transportation structures is presented along with mitigation methods for slowing the rate of deterioration in concrete. A combination of field and laboratory testing confirms ASR deterioration is exacerbated by exposure to F/T. Laboratory testing indicates an aggregate previously deemed inert to ASR, caused ASR deterioration in several concrete pavement and transportation structures. Existing standard test methods deem this aggregate safe for use in concrete. A modified test method shows the concrete can deteriorate rapidly when subjected to cycles of conditions promoting ASR and F/T. Several structures containing this aggregate deteriorated rapidly and severely during exposure to F/T. The interstate pavement underwent less deterioration as the incorporation of some Class C fly ash limited the development of ASR, and improved the durability to F/T. A three-year field test of various treatments applied to concrete barriers indicates silane reduces the moisture state of the concrete and slows the development of F/T and ASR deterioration as compared to untreated sections. A corresponding three-year evaluation of silane applied to concrete pavements, indicates silane slows F/T deterioration over time by reducing the moisture state of the concrete. Measuring the moisture state of concrete in the field proved difficult. Results of field and laboratory testing indicate measuring vapor pressure may prove more useful for evaluating the efficacy of treatments in reducing the moisture within concrete. The moisture state of the concrete is critical to the development of both ASR and F/T, as concretes protected from external moisture did not develop deleterious deterioration while specimens exposed to additional moisture deteriorated. This indicates limiting the ingress of external moisture is a viable method for slowing both ASR and F/T deterioration in concrete. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to thank my Lord and savior Jesus Christ for strengthening, encouraging, and guiding me throughout my life, and especially these past three years. Without his provision and grace none of this would have been possible. I also appreciate the encouragement and advice of Dr. W. Micah Hale who helped me to achieve my dreams of becoming a professor of civil engineering. Over the last five years he has guided me to complete my research and dissertation. I also thank my committee members, Dr. Eric Giannini, Dr. Thano Drimalas, Dr. Benoit Fournier, Dr. Gary Prinz, and Dr. Mark Arnold for their advice and expertise which led to the completion of this dissertation. My wife Ester encouraged me to work hard and apply myself to finish my research and dissertation. She is so patient and understanding as I put in the hours required to finish this dissertation. My family also pushed me to continue my education and complete my PhD, and I am grateful for their loving encouragement. I also want to thank my friends and colleagues Cameron Murray, Casey Jones, Cahn Dang, Alberto Ramirez, William Philips, Doddridge Davis, Joseph Daniels, Ryan Hagedorn, and Ali Al-Salman for all their help in completing my research. I also appreciate the help of and support of the personnel at AHTD who went out of their way to facilitate the work done in this dissertation. DEDICATION I dedicate this dissertation to my wife Ester and my family, who encouraged me to pursue and complete my PhD. TABLE OF CONTENTS TITLE PAGE ................................................................................................................................ 1 ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................................... 2 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ............................................................................................................ 3 DEDICATION............................................................................................................................... 4 TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................................. 5 LIST OF TABLES ...................................................................................................................... 10 LIST OF FIGURES .................................................................................................................... 12 NOTATIONS............................................................................................................................... 17 LIST OF PUBLISHED AND SUBMITTED PAPERS ........................................................... 18 1. INTRODUCTION AND RESEARCH OBJECTIVES ..................................................... 1 1.1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................ 1 1.2. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES ................................................................................................... 4 1.3. LITERATURE REVIEW ....................................................................................................... 6 1.3.1. Alkali-Silica Reaction (ASR) ....................................................................................... 6 1.3.2. Freezing and Thawing (F/T) ..................................................................................... 39 1.4. RELATIVE HUMIDITY IN CONCRETE (RH) ...................................................................... 50 1.4.1. Relative Humidity and ASR ....................................................................................... 56 1.4.2. Relative Humidity and F/T ........................................................................................ 60 1.5. DISSERTATION ORGANIZATION ...................................................................................... 61 1.6. REFERENCES .................................................................................................................. 62 2. PAPER 1: ALKALI-SILICA REACTION IN CONCRETE WITH PREVIOUSLY INERT AGGREGATES ............................................................................................................. 69 2.1. INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................. 70 2.2. EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION .................................................................................... 72 2.2.1. Concrete Materials ................................................................................................... 73 2.2.2. Laboratory Testing.................................................................................................... 75 2.2.3. Field Testing ............................................................................................................. 78 2.3. EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS AND DISCUSSION ................................................................... 82 2.3.1. Laboratory Testing.................................................................................................... 82 2.3.2. Field Monitoring ....................................................................................................... 89 2.4. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ....................................................................... 91 2.5. FUTURE RESEARCH ........................................................................................................ 92 2.6. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS .................................................................................................... 93 2.7. REFERENCES .................................................................................................................. 93 3. PAPER 2: MITIGATION OF ALKALI-SILICA REACTION AND FREEZING AND THAWING