Alkali–silica reaction (ASR)—performance testing: Influence of specimen pre-treatment, exposure conditions and prism size on concrete porosity, moisture state and transport properties

• Moisture state and transport properties are influenced by details of the test method.
• The influence depends on the concrete composition, i.e. w/cm and cement type.
• Prisms with CEM I, w/c ≥ 0.45 have sufficiently internal moisture for ASR to develop.
• At low w/c, lack of moisture and low rate of diffusion can reduce the ASR expansion.

Whether or not concrete prism tests (CPTs) developed for assessment of alkali–silica reactivity of aggregates might be suitable for general ASR performance testing of concrete has been evaluated. This paper presents the background for the choice of test procedures and results on how variations in specimen pre-treatment, ASR exposure conditions and prism size influence concrete porosity, moisture state and transport properties. Results from measurements of alkali leaching and prism expansions during the ASR exposure are presented in a separate paper, together with discussion of consequences for ASR test procedures.For ordinary Portland cements and with water-to-cementitious-materials ratio (w/cm) 0.45 and higher it was found that the internal moisture state is sufficiently high in all the assessed procedures to produce ASR expansion. However, for less permeable concretes lack of internal moisture and lower rate of diffusion can significantly reduce the rate and extent of ASR expansion during laboratory performance testing.