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Title: Phase evolution and mechanical-hydroscopic properties of alkali-silica reaction gels modified by magnesium nitrate
Alkali-silica reaction (ASR)'s destructiveness is governed by the compositions and properties of ASR products, while methods of converting these hygroscopic-expansive gel-like products into innocuous phases remain unexploited. In this study, the influence of magnesium nitrate on the evolutions of phase, molecular structure, hydroscopic and mechanical properties of ASR gels with varying Mg/Si ratios from 0.1 to 1.1 was investigated. The results indicate that the primary phases of ASR products, tobermorite-type calcium silicate hydrate (C–S–H) and alkali kanemites, can be suppressed into brucite and eventually converted into magnesium-silicate-hydrate (M-S-H) in the presence of increasing Mg/Si ratios and the consequent decreasing pH. The Si–O–Si bridging bonds and Si–O symmetric stretching in the Q3 sites of ASR products can be suppressed. The phase and structure modifications resulted in a 93.5% reduction in hydroscopic swelling, a 94.7% decrease in strength, and a 152.3% drop in modulus of elasticity rendering the ASR products less destructive.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
1935799
PAR ID:
10482843
Author(s) / Creator(s):
;
Publisher / Repository:
Elsevier
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Cement and Concrete Composites
Volume:
144
Issue:
C
ISSN:
0958-9465
Page Range / eLocation ID:
105283
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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