Structural Performance of Nuclear Power Plant Concrete Structures Affected by Alkali-Silica Reaction (ASR) - Task 1: Assessing In-Situ Mechanical Properties of ASR-Affected Concrete

Published

February 8, 2021

Author(s)

Fahim H. Sadek, Travis E. Thonstad, Sorin Marcu, Jonathan Weigand, timothy J. barrett, Hai S. Lew, Long Phan, Adam L. Pintar

Abstract

This report describes the results of Task 1 of a five-task comprehensive research program being conducted at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) under the sponsorship of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). The overall study aims to develop technical basis for evaluating effects of Alkali-Silica Reaction (ASR), which occurs when the high pH concrete pore solution reacts with certain aggregate mineral phases to form expansive ASR gel and create internal expansive forces that cause cracking in concrete, on engineering properties and structural capacities of reinforced concrete structures. The report provided detailed information on experimental planning, measurements, and testing performed to achieve the objective of Task 1, assessing in-situ mechanical properties of ASR-affected concrete, and presented experimental results that quantified the effects of: (1) the influence of different degrees of steel confinement and (2) ASR-induced expansions (0.1 %; 0.3 %; 0.5 % designed target ultimate expansion) on concrete's mechanical properties, surface expansion, and crack development.

Citation

Technical Note (NIST TN) - 2121

Report Number

2121

NIST Pub Series

Technical Note (NIST TN)

Pub Type

NIST Pubs

Download Paper

https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.TN.2121

Local Download

Keywords

Alkali-silica Reaction, ASR, Compressive Strength, Concrete, Crack, Expansion, Experimental, Mechanical Property, Modulus of Elasticity, Steel Reinforcement, Triaxial Compression Test

Citation

Sadek, F. , Thonstad, T. , Marcu, S. , Weigand, J. , barrett, T. , Lew, H. , Phan, L. and Pintar, A. (2021), Structural Performance of Nuclear Power Plant Concrete Structures Affected by Alkali-Silica Reaction (ASR) - Task 1: Assessing In-Situ Mechanical Properties of ASR-Affected Concrete, Technical Note (NIST TN), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, [online], https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.TN.2121, https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=930667 (Accessed October 9, 2025)