effect of alkali-silica reaction together with creep on the bending reinforced concrete beams

 

alkali silica reaction is the reaction between alkali in cement and certain forms of silica in aggregates. the reaction produces gel resulting in cracking and disintegration of concrete. a laboratory study was carried out to investigate the effect of deleterious asr expansion on the structural behavior of reinforced concrete beams. the specimens were made with reactive or non-reactive aggregates. all beams had 100×150×1100 mm dimensions and internal reinforcement. after loading, specimens were kept under long-term observation at 38o c and 100 percent relative humidity. it was quite clear that the beams containing reactive aggregate showed a significant increasing strain. ultimate loads are reduced in asr affected beams due to large irreversible steel strains.