The Inhibition Effect of Alkali-Silica Reaction in Concrete by Pozzolanic Effect of Metakaolin

Alkali-silica reaction (ASR) is a chemical reaction between alkalies in cement and chemically unstable aggregates and causes expansion and cracking of concrete. In the Present study, we studied the effects of metakaolin, which is a newly introduced mineral admixture showing excellent pozzolainc reaction property, on the inhibition of ASR. We prepared mortar-bars of various replacement ratios of metakaolin and conducted alkali-silica reactivity test (ASTM C 1260), compressive strength test and flow test. We also carefully analyzed the mineralogical changes in hydrate cement paste by XRD qualitative analysis. The admixing of metakaolin caused quick pozzolanic reaction and hydration reaction that resulted in a rapid decrease in portlandite content of hydrated cement paste. The expansion by ASR was reduced effectively as metakaolin replaced cement greater than 15%. This resulted in that the amounts of available portlandite decreased to less than 10% in cement paste. It is considered that the inhibition of ASR expansion by admixing of metakaolin was resulted by the combined processes that the formation of deleterious alkali-calcium-silicate gel was inhibited and the penetration of alkali solution into concrete was retarded due to the formation of denser, more homogeneous cement paste caused by pozzolanic effect. Higher early strength (7 days) than normal concrete was developed when the replacement ratios of metakaolin were greater than 15%. And also, late strength (28 days) was far higher than normal concrete for the all the replacement ratios of metakaolin. The development patterns of mechanical strength for metakaolin admixed concretes reflect the rapid pozzolanic reaction and hydration properties of metakaolin.