The Use of Lithium to Prevent or Mitigate Alkali-Silica Reaction in Concrete Pavements and Structures
PUBLICATION NO. FHWA-HRT-06-133
March 2007
PDF Version (2.79 mb)
U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration
Research, Development, and Technology
Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center
6300 Georgetown Pike
McLean, VA 22101-2296
Foreword
Progress is being made in efforts to combat alkali-silica reaction in portland cement concrete
structures—both new and existing. This facts book provides a brief overview of
laboratory and field research performed that focuses on the use of lithium
compounds as either an admixture in new concrete or as a treatment of existing
structures.
This document is
intended to provide practitioners with the necessary information and guidance
to test, specify, and use lithium compounds in new concrete construction, as
well as in repair and service life extension applications. This report will be
of interest to engineers, contractors, and others involved in the design and
specification of new concrete, as well as those involved in mitigation of the
damaging effects of alkali-silica reaction in existing concrete structures.
Gary L. Henderson, P.E.
Director, Office of Infrastructure
Research and Development
Notice
This document is
disseminated under the sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Transportation in
the interest of information exchange. The U.S. Government assumes no liability
for its contents or use thereof. This report does not constitute a standard,
specification, or regulation.
The U.S.Government does not endorse products or manufacturers. Trade or manufacturers'
names appear herein only because they are considered essential to the objective
of this manual.
Quality Assurance Statement
The Federal Highway
Administration (FHWA) provides high-quality information to serve Government,
industry, and the public in a manner that promotes public understanding.
Standards and policies are used to ensure and maximize the quality,
objectivity, utility, and integrity of its information. FHWA periodically
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continuous quality improvement.
Technical Report Documentation Page
1. Report No.
FHWA-HRT-06-133 |
2. Government Accession No. |
3. Recipient's Catalog No. |
4. Title and Subtitle
The Use of Lithium To
Prevent or Mitigate Alkali-Silica Reaction in Concrete Pavements and
Structures |
5. Report Date
March 2007 |
6. Performing Organization Code |
7. Author(s)
Michael D.A. Thomas, Benoit
Fournier, Kevin J. Folliard, Jason H. Ideker, and Yadhira Resendez |
8. Performing Organization Report No. |
9. Performing Organization Name and Address
The Transtec Group, Inc.
6111 Balcones Drive
Austin, TX 78731
|
10. Work Unit No. |
11. Contract or Grant No.
DTFH61-02-C-00097 |
12. Sponsoring Agency Name and Address
Office of Infrastructure
R&D
Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center, HRDI-11
6300 Georgetown Pike, Room F-209
McLean, VA 22101
|
13. Type of Report and Period Covered
Final Report |
14. Sponsoring Agency Code |
15. Supplementary Notes
Contracting Officer's Technical Representative: Fred Faridazar, HRDI-12 |
16. Abstract
Alkali-silica reaction (ASR) was first identified as
a form of concrete deterioration in the late 1930s (Stanton 1940). Approximately 10 years
later, it was discovered that lithium compounds can be used to control
expansion due to ASR. There has recently been increased interest in using
lithium technologies to both control ASR in new concrete and to retard the
reaction in existing ASR-affected structures.
This facts book provides information on lithium, its
origin and properties, and on its applications. The mechanism of
alkali-silica reaction is discussed together with methods of testing to identify
potentially alkali-silica reactive aggregates. Traditional methods for
minimizing the risk of damaging ASR are presented; these include the
avoidance of reactive aggregates, controlling the levels of alkali in
concrete and using supplementary cementing materials such as fly ash, slag
and silica fume. The final two sections of the facts book discuss the use of
lithium, first as an admixture for new concrete construction and second as a
treatment for existing concrete structures affected by ASR. |
17. Key Words
alkali-silica
reaction, lithium, concrete durability, mitigation, fresh concrete, hardened
concrete, case studies, laboratory testing, field investigation, existing
structures |
18. Distribution Statement
No Restrictions. This document is available to the public through the
National Technical Information Service; Springfield, VA 22161 |
19. Security Classif. (of this report)
Unclassified |
20. Security Classif. (of this page)
Unclassified |
21. No. of Pages
47 |
22. Price |
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Form
DOT F 1700.7 (8-72 Reproduction of completed page authorized.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter 1. Introduction
Chapter 2. Lithium—Properties and Production
Chapter 3. Alkali-Aggregate Reaction
3.1 Terminology
3.2 Mechanisms of ASR
3.3 Symptoms of ASR
3.4 Methods of Evaluating Potential Reactivity of Aggregates
3.4.1 Field Performance
3.4.2 ASR Testing in the Laboratory
3.5 Measures To Prevent ASR
3.6 Treating Existing ASR-Affected Pavements and Structures
Chapter 4. Using Lithium to Prevent ASR in New Concrete21
4.1 Laboratory Studies
4.2 Field Applications
4.3 Laboratory Testing To Determine the Amount of Lithium Required
4.4 Effect of Lithium on the Properties of Concrete
Chapter 5. Use of Lithium to Treat Existing ASR-Affected Structures
5.1 Laboratory Studies
5.2 Field Applications
5.2.1 Topical Treatment with Lithium
5.2.2 Electrochemical Lithium Impregnation
5.2.3 Vacuum Impregnation With Lithium
5.3 Recommendations for Treating ASR-Affected Structures with Lithium
Chapter 6. Summary
Acknowledgements
References
List of Figures
Figure 1. Periodic table showing the position of lithium
Figure 2. Photograph of lithium metal
Figure 3. Photograph of the lithium- bearing mineral spodumene
Figure 4. Aerial view of lithium-bearing brines in Argentina (Salar del Hombre Muerto)
Figure 5. Aerial view of lithium-bearing brines in Chile (Salar de Atacama)
Figure 6. Sequence of alkali-silica reaction (ASR) in concrete
Figure 7. Schematic showing difference in crystal structure of quartz (left) and opal (right)
Figure 8. Three essential requirements for deleterious ASR
Figure 9. Typical symptoms of ASR
Figure 10. Concrete prism test-prisms stored over water in sealed containers
Figure 11. Concrete prism test-length change measurements (ASTM C1293)
Figure 12. Accelerated mortar bar test (ASTM C1260): (a) view from the top of four rectangular
concrete samples, under water in a blue rectangular container; (b) measuring a
concrete sample for length change using a digital comparator
Figure 13. Effect of the alkali content of concrete on the expansion of prisms
Figure 14. Effect of SCM on the expansion of concrete (using concrete prism test)
Figure 15. Barrier wall in Quebec-the section of the wall to the right of the picture has been treated with a silane sealer
Figure 16. Relative expansion of concrete prisms (ASTM C1293) containing lithium compounds and reactive siltstone aggregate (Thomas et al., 2000)
Figure 17. Photographs of 12-year-old pavement sections reactive aggregate from Shakespeare pit in Albuquerque, NM (photos taken in 2004)
Figure 18. Photographs of 12-year-old pavement sections reactive aggregate from Placitas pit in Albuquerque, NM
Figure 19. Expansion of concrete prisms after treatment with lithium at 10 weeks (expansion = 0.061 percent) and 16 weeks (expansion = 0.107 percent) (Thomas and Stokes, 2004)
Figure 20. Spraying 30 percent LiNO3 solution with a tanker truck on a
concrete pavement near Mountain Home, ID
Figure 21. Spraying 30-percent LiNO3 solution with handheld spray applicator
on barrier wall near Leominster, MA
Figure 22. Lithium concentration profiles for concrete pavement after six treatments (at
approximately 6-month intervals) of 0.24 L/m2 (6 gal/1000 ft2)
(Stokes et al., 2002)
Figure 23. Electrochemical lithium impregnation
Figure 24. Electrochemical lithium treatment process. (a) irrigation tubes, wood splices, and metal strips are placed on the column. The metal strips are attached to titanium mesh
that runs inside holes drilled into the sides of the column. (b) A cellulose
layer is applied to the side of the column, and (c) plastic sheeting is placed on all
sides of the column. The gutters under the sheeting collect excess lithium for reuse
Figure 25. Typical vacuum impregnation setup
Figure 26. Precipitation of LiNO3 from solution (a) on barrier wall and (b) on pavement
Figure 27. Monitoring techniques-(a) crack mapping of a barrier wall and (b) measuring length changes on concrete pavement with a DEMEC gauge
List of Tables
Table 1. Principal lithium minerals and their sources (after Lumley, 1997).
Table 2. List of lithium compounds and applications for lithium.
Table 3. Terminology for alkali-aggregate reactions (CSA A23.1-04).
Table 4. Typical chemical analysis for portland cement.
Table 5. Table of alkali-silica reactive minerals and possible rock types in which they may be found.
Table 6. ASTM test methods related to alkali-aggregate reaction.
Table 7. Calculation for alkali content of portland cement concrete.15
Table 8. Range of alkali limits (CSA A23.1-27A).16
Table 9. Example showing calculation of [Li]/[Na + K] molar ratio.
Table 10. Proportioning mixtures with lithium for the concrete prism test.26
Table 11. Penetration of lithium after electrochemical treatment of bridge deck.30
Table 12. General guidelines for topical lithium treatment.33
Table 13. Suggestions for monitoring lithium-treated structures.33
List of Acronyms and Abbreviations
Terms
AAR |
alkali-aggregate reaction |
ACR |
alkali-carbonate reaction |
ASR |
alkali-silica reaction |
ASTM |
American Society for Testing and Materials |
CSA |
Canadian Standards Association |
DEMEC |
demountable mechanical |
FHWA |
Federal Highway Administration |
ppm |
parts per million |
SASW |
spectral analysis of surface waves |
SCM |
supplementary cementitious material |
w/cm |
water-cementitious material ratio |
Chemical Notations
C-S-H |
Calcium silicate hydrate |
Ca |
Calcium |
CaCO3 |
Calcium carbonate |
Ca(NO3)2 |
Calcium nitrate |
Ca(OH)2 |
Calcium hydroxide |
OH- |
Hydroxyl ion |
K |
Potassium |
K2O |
Potassium oxide |
KCl |
Potassium chloride |
[Li]/[Na+K] |
Molar ratio of lithium ions to the sum of sodium and potassium ions |
LiCl |
Lithium chloride |
LiF |
Lithium fluoride |
LiNO3 |
Lithium nitrate |
LiOH |
Lithium hydroxide |
LiOH•H2O |
Lithium hydroxide monohydrate |
Li2CO3 |
Lithium carbonate |
Li2SiO3 |
Lithium silicate |
Li2SO4 |
Lithium sulfate |
M |
molar |
N |
normal |
Na |
Sodium |
Na2O |
Sodium oxide |
Na2Oe |
Total sodium oxide
equivalent |
NaCl |
Sodium chloride |
NaOH |
Sodium hydroxide |
Si |
Silicon |
SiO2 |
Silicon
dioxide |