Test Methods for Evaluating Preventive Measures for Controlling Expansion due to Alkali-Silica Reaction in Concrete

This paper provides a critical evaluation of the various methods available for testing the efficacy of measures for preventing expansion due to alkali-silica reaction (ASR) in concrete containing deleteriously reactive aggregate. The ideal test method should be rapid, reliable and capable of determining the influence of aggregate reactivity, alkali availability and exposure conditions. None of the currently available or commonly used methods meet all of these criteria. The shortcomings of the different test methods are discussed and suggestions are made for modifying the concrete prism test and accelerated mortar bar test to make these tests more acceptable.