摘要: |
New Mexico contains several aggregate sources that are extremely susceptible to alkalisilica
reaction (ASR). To mediate ASR, the New Mexico Department of Transportation
(NMDOT) requires a minimum of 20% class F fly ash (by mass of cement) in nearly all
concrete produced for their projects. Since class F fly ash has become difficult to procure
and future availability is uncertain, NMDOT is considering alternative supplementary
cementitious materials (SCMs) that could be used in place of class F fly ash.
This project will assess two SCMs being considered for widespread acceptance by
NMDOT and builds on work performed during a Year 3 Tran-SET project to investigate a
natural pozzolan mined near Espanola, NM for use with extremely reactive fine
aggregates. This new project will focus on utilizing the natural pozzolan (pumicite) as well
as a metakaolin product with a broad range of reactive aggregates. NMDOT has limited
data for mixture proportions and durability properties (such as ASR mitigation) of concrete
produced with these SCMs. Therefore, they are unable to confidently accept the materials
for use in concrete produced for NMDOT projects, even if class F fly ash is not available.
The specific focus of this project is to assess ASR mitigation capabilities of the alternative
SCMs when used in combinations with several crushed coarse aggregate sources so that
general guidelines that can be developed to minimize the use of the SCMs (based on
aggregate reactivity) to prolong availability of SCM sources and improve sustainability.
This project will begin with a comprehensive literature review to identify the most
important properties and characteristics of SCMs, especially metakaolin and natural
pozzolans, in terms of their influence on ASR and concrete durability. For the
experimental work, a suite of mortar mixtures will be proportioned with cementitious
materials combinations that include the pumicite and metakaolin as well as control
mixtures that contain either fly ash or no SCMs. ASR mortar bar tests will be conducted
using eight aggregate sources and SCM contents that range from 0 to 30%. Effectiveness
of the SCMs will be assessed by comparing their performances with results from the
control mixtures. Cementitious materials combinations that produce acceptable ASR
results will be used to produce 10 concrete mixtures that will be tested for slump, air
content, compressive strength, and flexural strength to ensure that the mixtures provide
adequate workability and strength, and then subjected to durability tests to assess their
chloride permeability, resistance to freezing and thawing, and shrinkage characteristics.
The primary purpose of the concrete testing is to evaluate whether the mixtures have
workability, strength, and durability properties that are comparable to mixtures containing
only class F fly ash. The implementation phase of the project includes documenting and
disseminating the results of the research in a final report for the project, publication of
journal and conference papers, and presentations at conferences.
The New Mexico State University (NMSU) research team is led by the PI, Professor Craig
Newtson, who has more than 20 years of concrete related research experience, has had
projects totaling more than $2,400,000 in funding, and has published more than 85
research papers. |