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Title:

USE OF A LITHIUM-BEARING ADMIXTURE TO SUPPRESS EXPANSION IN CONCRETE DUE TO ALKALI-SILICA REACTION

Accession Number:

00771112

Record Type:

Component

Availability:

Transportation Research Board Business Office

500 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001 United States

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Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/0309070635

Abstract:

The findings of a laboratory study on the effects of a lithium-based admixture on alkali-silica reaction are presented. The admixture essentially represents an intermediate stage in the lithium extraction process of the ore spodumene. Spodumene ore is normally crushed and fired in a kiln to "untie" the lithium prior to its extraction. The material at this stage is known as decrepitated spodumene (DS). DS is basically an amorphous alumino-silicate that contains significant quantities of "available" lithium. As such, DS has the potential to act both as a pozzolanic mineral admixture as well as a chemical suppressant of alkali-silica reactivity. Laboratory testing included pore solution studies of pastes and mortars containing DS and expansion studies of mortar bars containing Pyrex glass (ASTM C311) and concrete prisms containing reactive aggregates from three different sources in North America. The results show that significant quantities of lithium are released by the DS into the pore solution of pastes and mortars over time. After 1 year, the Li+ concentration of pastes with 15 to 20% DS (mass replacement of high-alkali cement) was approaching 0.3 moles/liter. The efficacy of DS in controlling expansion in concrete containing reactive aggregates was found to depend on the nature of the reactive aggregate. Higher quantities of DS were required with more reactive aggregate. This is thought to be due to the rapid expansion observed for concretes containing such aggregates. The expansion occurs before significant lithium is released from the DS, and thus higher levels of DS are required. It is possible that the efficiency of DS with such aggregates may be improved by increasing the fineness or modifying the manufacturing process.

Supplemental Notes:

This paper appears in Transportation Research Record No. 1668, Concrete in Pavements and Structures.

Language:

English

Corporate Authors:

Transportation Research Board

500 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001 United States

Authors:

Thomas, MDA
Stokes, D B

Pagination:

p. 54-59

Publication Date:

1999

Serial:

Transportation Research Record

Issue Number: 1668
Publisher: Transportation Research Board
ISSN: 0361-1981

ISBN:

0309070635

Features:

Figures (4) ; References (11) ; Tables (3)

Uncontrolled Terms:

Subject Areas:

Highways; Materials; I32: Concrete

Files:

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Created Date:

Oct 7 1999 12:00AM

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