Crystallized Alkali-silica Gel in Concrete from the Late 1890s

Authors

Karl Peterson, Michigan Technological University
David Gress, University of New Hampshire Durham
Tom Van Dam, Michigan Technological University
Lawrence Sutter, Michigan Technological UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

8-2006

Department

Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering

Abstract

The Elon Farnsworth Battery, a concrete structure completed in 1898, is in an advanced state of disrepair. To investigate the potential for rehabilitation, cores were extracted from the battery. Petrographic examination revealed abundant deposits of alkali silica reaction products in cracks associated with the quartz rich metasedimentary coarse aggregate. The products of the alkali silica reaction are variable in composition and morphology, including both amorphous and crystalline phases. The crystalline alkali silica reaction products are characterized by quantitative X-ray energy dispersive spectrometry (EDX) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The broad extent of the reactivity is likely due to elevated alkali levels in the cements used.

Publisher's Statement

© 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Publication Title

Cement and Concrete Research

Recommended Citation

Peterson, K., Gress, D., Van Dam, T., & Sutter, L. (2006). Crystallized Alkali-silica Gel in Concrete from the Late 1890s. Cement and Concrete Research, 36(8), 1523-1532. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2006.05.017
Retrieved from: https://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/michigantech-p/6093