Measures to inhibit alkali-dolomite reaction

The effectiveness of mineral admixtures, sulfoaluminate cement and supersulfated cement in reducing expansion due to alkali-dolomite reaction were evaluated by concrete microbar expansion tests. Owing to the low pH value of pore solutions in sulfoaluminate and supersulfated cement concrete, reactive dolomitic aggregates were almost unattacked, thus no expansion was observed in these two concrete. Mineral admixtures, such as PFA, BFS and SF, were more or less effective in decreasing expansion of dolomitic aggregates. To prevent damage from alkali-dolomite reaction, a high volume of mineral admixtures must be incorporated into low alkali Portland cement concrete.