Microscopic and chemical characterisation of ASR induced by quartz-rich aggregates

Abstract

Various quartz-rich aggregates (pegmatite quartz, quartzite, quartz meta-greywacke, and chert) were subjected to an accelerated mortar bar test (AMBT, following the ASTM C1260 standard) and a chemical test (CT, following the ASTM C289 standard) with the aim to evaluate their potential for the alkali-silica reaction (ASR). After testing, the accelerated mortar bars (AMBs) were analysed by scanning electron microscopy combined with energy dispersive spectrometer (SEM-EDS).

Keywords

• alkali-silica reaction
• accelerated mortar bar test
• electron microscopy