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Activation of alkali-silica reactivity under microwave action and passivation of reactive aggregate by treatment with lithium nitrate

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Abstract

The alkali-silica reaction (ASR), developed in the presence of reactive mineral aggregates, is responsible for numerous cases of cracking and consequent deterioration of concrete structures. This work presents a contribution to the development of a chemical method for the activation of the alkali-silica reactivity of an aggregate in its commercial granulometry, in a short time, through the application of microwaves and verification of lithium nitrate addition influence to mitigate the reaction. A proven reactive granite aggregate was used at different microwave application times with fixed power of 700 W, in neutral and basic media. Results on the aggregate reactivity were obtained in 5 min of microwave application, statistically equivalent to tests with 30-day immersion. It was observed that the most affected phases during the process are non-crystalline silica, and a gel-like phase similar to the alkali-silica reaction product was also obtained at the end of the tests. In addition, a pre-treatment of the aggregate was performed with 0.5 to 2% lithium nitrate additions, with and without microwaves, in neutral and basic media. It was observed that additions of at least 0.5% significantly inhibit the silica dissolution, but with 2% of this compound, it is possible to observe the formation of a coating on the aggregate’s surface with lithium silicate.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are thankful to professor Tiago Venâncio from Chemistry Institute of São Carlos (University of São Paulo) for making the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance analyses essential to the development of this study and professor Nivan Bezerra da Costa Jr from Science and Materials Engineering Department for the Federal University of Sergipe for his assistance in developing the statistical analysis of this study.

Funding

This work was supported by FINEP/CNPq [grant number 0111.0142.05/FINEP/FUSP/UFS]; FAPITEC-SE/FUNTEC/CNPq [grant number 019.203.02720/2009-2/FAPITEC-SE/FUNTEC/CNPq]; CNPq [grant number 480981/2013-2/CNPq]; and CAPES.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Postgraduate Program in Materials Science and Engineering (P2CEM), Department of Materials Science and Engineering (DCEM), Federal University of Sergipe (UFS), Av. Marechal Rondon, s/n, Jardim Rosa Elze, CEP, São Cristóvão, SE, 49100-000, Brazil

    Mariana Rezende Doria

  2. Department of Materials Science and Engineering (DCEM), Federal University of Sergipe (UFS), Av. Marechal Rondon, s/n, Jardim Rosa Elze, CEP, São Cristóvão, SE, 49100-000, Brazil

    Ledjane Silva Barreto

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  1. Mariana Rezende Doria
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Correspondence to Mariana Rezende Doria.

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Doria, M.R., Barreto, L.S. Activation of alkali-silica reactivity under microwave action and passivation of reactive aggregate by treatment with lithium nitrate. Bull Eng Geol Environ 80, 8961–8976 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-021-02141-5

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