Tepke talk at ASCE Conference: Durable Design to Mitigate ASR and DEF in Concrete

Conference Title: Mitigating Alkali-Silica Reactivity (ASR) and Delayed Ettringite Formation (DEF) in Concrete Through Durable Design
Concrete is a very durable building material when properly designed, proportioned and constructed. However, there are situations where premature deterioration can occur if attention is not paid to detail in the design and construction phases of a project. Two such situation are those associated with Alkali-Silica Reaction (ASR) that can occur between susceptible aggregates and cementitious hydration products, and Delayed Ettringite Formation (DEF) from excessively high curing temperatures in concrete. Indeed, ASR and DEF have caused premature deterioration of many structures, litigious situations, and considerable costs to manage consequences. Fortunately, there are test methods, industry standards and measures that can be used in the design and construction phases to reduce risk associated with these distress mechanisms. New advancements and provisions in standards are improving our knowledge and the way we look at addressing potential problems and costs proactively. By attending this presentation, the attendee will learn:

  • Key historical aspects and basic mechanisms of ASR and DEF
  • Common distress patterns and most susceptible types of structures
  • Local considerations
  • Materials that can be used in concrete to mitigate ASR
  • Recent developments in testing and industry standards
  • Considerations for specifying and designing concrete to proactively reduce potential for ASR and DEF
Published on September 19, 2018
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