Magazine of Concrete Research, 1994, 46, No. 168, Sept.

, 163-166

A simple treatment to distinguish alkali - silica

gel from delayed ettringite formations in
concrete
S. L. Marusin*

WISS, JANNEY. E L S T N E RA S S O C I A T E S

Alkali-silicagelsorformations of late-developing Samplepreparationandvisual

ettringite(delayedettringite formation(DEF)) that fill examination
sockets around aggregate particles may sometimes be
As shown in Figs 1 and 2, unpolished sawn surfaces
observed byanoptical microscope on unpolished or
of samples A and B did not exhibit the white deposits
polished sawn concretesurjiaces only as a ‘gel’ or dark as
typically observed as a result of intensive alkali-silica
circles around the aggregate particles. They may thusbe
reaction (ASR) around someaggregate particles
indistinguishable from each other.It has been foundthat
(particularly for aggregate particles surrounded with dark
thepreparation of an unpolished orpolished sawn
rims).
concrete surjiace by carbon deposition f o r SEM work)
Prior to SEM examination, both samples were lightly
allowsalkali-silicagel
reaction
and
DEF to
be
coated with carbon. As shown in Fig. 3, the carbon-coated
distinguished by thenuked eye. However, X-ray elemental
surface of Sample A exhibited, when viewed by the naked
analysis is recommended to
confirmthe
visual
eye, shiny silver-coloured spots in paste areas and circles
observation.
around some aggregate particles. Lighteror darkernon-
shiny circleswereobservedaround several aggregate
Introduction particles of sample B in Fig. 4.
A scanning electron microscope (SEM) equippedwith
a high-energy dispersive X-ray analyser was used to study
unpolished and polished sawn sections of samples taken SEM studies
from concrete that exhibited a cracking pattern normally The typical gel formation of ASR was found in sample
attributed to alkali-silica gel reaction. With the X-ray A by the SEM studies in all silver-coloured shiny spots
technique, the elemental composition of a studied material in paste and around all aggregate particles that exhibited
is presented on a chart (spectrum) where each element shiny circles. Secondary electron micrographs and the X-
is identified by the position of its peak. Micrographs of ray elemental analysis chart for thesilver-coloured paste
a particular morphology of the examined location can area
are shown in Fig. 5 . A high-magnification
accompany each spectrum. In order to obtain a high- micrograph of alkali-silica gel formed at aggregate
quality micrograph, a gold coating (to discharge electrical particle rims, the X-ray elemental analyses of the gel, and
charges) is normally used to studyconcrete samples. Since the aggregate fragments are shown in Fig. 6. The presence
the position of the gold peak is almost identical with the of DEF in silver-coloured locations was not observed.
major peak for sulphur, and the gold peak may be broad Gel formations visually typical of ASR, but found by
enough to cover the sulphur peak, a carbon coating was high magnification to be dueto DEF, wereobserved
chosen for the present study. around aggregate particles of the concrete of sample B.
As shown in Fig. 7, the ‘gel’, on high magnification, is
seen to consist of sub-microscopic crystals of ettringite.
No silver-coloured shiny areas were produced by carbon
* Wiss, Janney. Elstner Associates, Inc.. Northbrook, IL, USA. deposited on these surfaces, and alkali-silica gel was not
Paper received 27 October 1993. found in these locations.

163

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 Marusin

Fig. 1. Unpolished sawn surfacesof concrete sampleA (X I .5) Fig. 2. Unpolished sawn surface of sample B (X 1.5)
. -

Fig. 3. Carbon-coated surfaceof sample A , showing shiny silver- Fig. 4. Carbon-coated surfaceof sample B, containing DEF in
coated spots and circlesof alkali-silica gel locations (X I .4) paste and around aggregate particles (P)( X I a 6 )

Fig. 5. (a) Micrograph of alkali-silica gel around aggregate particleat 3000 X ;(6) X-ray elemental analysisof alkali-silica gel

164 Magazine
Research,of Concrete 1994, 46, No. 168

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 Alkali-silica gel and ettringite in concr

Si

Ca

I I I I 1

Fig. 6. (a)Micrograph showing formationof alkali-silica gel; (b)X-ray elemental analysisof reactive aggregateparticles atlocation
A in (a); (c) X-ray elemental analysis of gel at location B in (a)

Ca

AI
1
1
0

I I I 1 1
1 2 3 4 5

Fig. 7. (a, b) Micrographs showing DEFs around aggregate particles in sample B; (c) X-ray elemental analysis of ettringite
Magazine of Concrete Research, 1994, 46, No. 168 165

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 . .
(b) (C)
Fig. 8. (a) Carbon-coated surface of polished concrete sample showing silver-coloured locations of alkali-silica gel (X 1.5);
(b. c) X-rayelemental analysis of alkali-silica gel in location 3

Shiny silver-coloured spotsin paste and circles around
aggregate particles were also produced by carbon coating
on polished sawn concrete surfaces. A typical example
ofsuchapolishedsurfacecontainingsilvermarks
indicating the presence of alkali-silica gel is shown in
Fig. 8. Micrographic and X-ray elemental analyses of the
arrowed location (marked 3 in Fig. 8(a)) are shown in
Fig. 8(b) and (c).
Discussion and conclusion
Duringthepastdecade,somepublishedpaperson
ASRs have pointed out the presence of a 'gel' containing
a significant amount of sulphur and aluminium. Even
though sulphur and aluminium were major components,
these gel formations were reported to be a product of
ASR. The present study has found that the gel observed
isoften not aproduct of ASR but of DEF. High
magnification (by SEM) and X-ray elemental analysis
were required to differentiate between the alkali-silica
gel and the gel-like morphology of DEFs. The simple
treatment of unpolished or polished sawnconcrete
surfacesdescribedabove and theirstudy by low-
magnification microscopy can, in most cases, differentiate
these reactions.
Discussion contributionson this Paper should reach the Editorby
31 March 1995

166 Magazine of Concrete Research, 1994, 46, No. 168

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