Effect of the inherent alkalis of alkali activated slag on the risk of alkali silica reaction

Alkali silica reaction (ASR) occurred in the alkali activated slag (AAS) concrete was evaluated by a revised mortar prism method. The mortars were made of blast furnace slags activated by alkali silicate solution possessing different modulus (0.5, 0.75, 1 and 2) as well as cations (sodium and potassium) and standard sand with a volume replacement of 25 vol% by borosilicate glass beads. Their changes in length and dynamic elastic modulus were monitored up to 7 months. The results showed that ASR has taken place among some mortars, which were evident under both light microscopy and electron microscopy with EDX analysis. The results also revealed that high alkali content did promote the risk of ASR but the degradation due to ASR was affected in a much more complex way.