ASR/DEF related expansion in structural concrete: Model development and validation

• Published in: Construction & building materials Vol. 128; pp. 238 - 247
• Main Authors: Karthik, Madhu M., Mander, John B., Hurlebaus, Stefan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 15-12-2016
• Subjects: Alkali silica reaction; Delayed ettringite formation; Expansion modeling; Reinforced concrete; Delayed ettringite formation; Alkali silica reaction; Expansion modeling; Reinforced concrete
• ISSN: 0950-0618; 1879-0526
• DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2016.10.084

•Minimalist semi-empirical model simulates ASR/DEF expansion strains in RC.•Accounts for reinforcement ratio, external loads, and environmental conditions.•Expands applicability of expansion model to field exposed structures.•Requires minimal input parameters to model ASR/DEF expansion strains.•Model simulates ASR/DEF expansion strains in both small and large scale specimens.
There is a dearth for practice-based approaches to model ASR/DEF related expansion in reinforced concrete. A minimalist semi-empirical model is developed to simulate ASR/DEF induced expansion strains in reinforced concrete. The model accounts for the reinforcement ratio, the effects of externally applied compressive and tensile loads, and the variation in temperature and moisture, thus expanding the applicability of the proposed model to concrete structures exposed to field conditions. The modeled longitudinal and transverse expansion strains compare well with the measured expansion strain data from small-scale laboratory specimens, and large-scale spliced column specimens exhibiting ASR/DEF related expansion.