Biomass Ash in Concrete-Mitigation of Alkali Silica Reactions (ASRs) — Expansions with Different Opal Percentages

Abstract:

ASTM (American Standard Testing and Materials) C 618 prohibits use of biomass ash in concrete. This paper systematically investigates mitigation of Alkali Silica Reaction (ASR) expansion of concrete by three biomass ashes (cement: biomass ash = 65: 35 by weight), and the ASR expansion is triggered by high alkali cement and opal (1-9% weight of quartz replacement). The three biomass ashes come from switchgrass or sawdust cofired with Powder River Basin coal and they cut the ASR expansion significantly below 50% of the control level; however, all three biomass ashes doubled the available alkali of the cement they replaced. Therefore, the exclusion of biomass ash in concrete by ASTM C 618 seems impropriate and more quality research on its role in mitigating ASRs expansion should be conducted.

• Periodical: Key Engineering Materials (Volumes 400-402)
• Pages: 131-136
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/KEM.400-402.131
• Online since: October 2008
• Authors: Shuang Zhen Wang, Larry Baxter
• Keywords: Alkali Silica Reactions Expansion, Biomass Ash, Concrete Durability, OPAL

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