A kinetic-based ASR aggregate classification system

A kinetic approach which as-received aggregates were immersed in alkaline solution of varying concentrations and allowed to react at different temperatures was proposed in this study to calculate ASR compound activation energy (CAE) as a measure of alkali silica reactivity of aggregate. The tested aggregates were categorized based on the measured CAE to form an ASR aggregate classification system. The classification system (i) overcomes the limitations and drawbacks of the current test methods, (ii) correctly identifies the aggregates that belong to false positive and negative categories (i.e., failed by ASTM C 1260 but passed by ASTM C 1293 and vice versa), (iii) has the ability to test field aggregates and determine reactivity matching with the field level of alkalinity, and (iv) can serve as an alternative to the current ASR test methods.