Deterioration data of a large-scale reinforced concrete specimen with severe ASR/DEF deterioration

•A large-scale RC specimen is subjected to ASR/DEF deterioration for five years.•Crack widths of up to 30 mm measured; rebars yield within one year of exposure.•Transverse strains exceed longitudinal strains due to low transverse steel content.•Surface expansion strains closely relate to the local reinforcement layout.•Surface strains compare well with internal steel and concrete gauge strain measurements.

Limited field data are available from reinforced concrete specimens exposed to environmental conditions and subjected to severe deterioration by Alkali Silica Reaction (ASR) and/or Delayed Ettringite Formation (DEF). A large-scale reinforced concrete specimen is subject to ASR/DEF deterioration for five years. Strain measurements indicate that both transverse and longitudinal reinforcement yield within six to twelve months of field exposure. Recorded surface strains compare well with the internal steel and concrete strains. Transverse expansion strains markedly exceed longitudinal expansion strains. Although ASR/DEF deterioration may cause severe surface cracking and possible reinforcement corrosion in the long-term, its effect on the structure’s load carrying capacity remains unknown at this time.

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