Evaluation of the Chinese accelerated test for alkali-carbonate reaction

As part of an multi-laboratory study on accelerated concrete microbar test for alkali-carbonate reaction, the effect of a number of variables on expansion were evaluated, including the effect of alkali content of the cement, the type and source of alkali, the aggregate particle size, and the bar size. The expansivities of various dolomitic limestones from different origins were evaluated in the concrete prism test and in the accelerated concrete microbar test. The effect of replacement of a portion of the portland cement with fly ash on the expansion of microbars containing selected dolomitic limestones and a typical alkalisilica reactive aggregate were also evaluated. The paper presents the obtained results and the correlation between expansions in the concrete prism test and the accelerated test.