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Alkali silica reaction in concrete
64
Book reviews
buildings are necessary to ensure the optimal use of available materials. The papers in the two volumes of this Conference provide a comprehensive and informative state of the art review of this important aspect of the construction industry. One of the highlights of these conferences is the wide and varied range of material systems and durability aspects covered by the papers. The two volumes of the Singapore Conference contain some 135 papers resulting in over 1000 pages of printed matter. The keynote paper 'Service Life Prediction -- A State of the Art' by L. W. Masters, Chairman of the Joint CIB/RILEM Committee sets the tone to the whole concept of durability and is the first paper of Volume I. The rest of the papers in the two volumes are then divided into a number of separate themes. Volume I contains 66 papers dealing with building materials, concrete materials, fibre reinforced concrete, surface coatings, plastics, concrete structures, design and analysis, and codes and specifications. Volume II contains 70 papers related to corrosion, chemical attack on concrete, influence of aggregate, weathering tests, testing and evaluation and climatic effects. It can readily be seen that no topic related to durability is barred from the Conference theme, and yet they are in so many ways interrelated if we are serious about being able to assess and predict the serviceable life of materials, building components and structures. Collection and dissemination of data identifying the various factors that characterise the behaviour of materials and structures is the first step towards a more durable construction. The papers in these two volumes fully live up to these expectations. Manufacturers, researchers, engineers, architects and developers will find this publication of real value in obtaining a clearer understanding of basic material behaviour related to their practical performance. Alkali Silica Reaction in Concrete, D. W. Hobbs. Thomas Telford, London, UK, 1988. 183 pp. £25.00. ISBN 0 7277 1317 5. Like corrosion of steel reinforcement, alkali silica reaction (ASR) is a very insidious form of concrete deterioration, causing expansion and cracking of concrete and leading to structural distress affecting the safety and stability of concrete structures. Although deterioration of concrete arising from chemical reactions between cement constituents and deleterious minerals in aggre-
gates is few and far between, it is now known that the problem of ASR is world wide, and that, when this type of deterioration does occur, it can be quite dramatic and reduce drastically the serviceable life of concrete construction. Since the reaction was first recognised in 1940, there have been extensive research on alkali aggregate reactions, and eight international conferences have been held. There has, however, been no publication until now that puts together and synthesizes all the available information. This book fulfils admirably this purpose: it is the first comprehensive publication that attempts to present a coherent and authoritative picture of alkali silica reaction, its effects on structures, methods available to diagnose the deterioration and to minimise the risk of damage in new construction. The subject matter of the book is covered in eight chapters. The first three chapters are devoted to the reaction and its effects on concrete. Chapter 1 deals with the history of ASR, the mechanism of reaction, cracking and pessimum behaviour. Concrete constituents, amount of alkali in cement, reactive aggregate particle size, alkalies from other sources and air entrainment all influence the rate and extent of reaction. These matters are discussed in Chapter 2. The third chapter deals with the influence of applied stress and reinforcement on mechanical properties of concrete affected by ASR. It is now known that cracking due to ASR can influence adversely structural behaviour. The structural effects of ASR and repair of damaged structures are discussed in Chapter 4. Chapter 5 presents detailed diagnostic procedures to identify the reaction whilst the effectiveness of mineral admixtures such as fly ash, slag and silica fume in reducing the effects of the reaction is ably summarised in Chapter 6. Testing aggregates and cement-aggregate combinations for their reactivity are described in Chapter 7. The last chapter presents a review of the procedures adopted in various countries to minimise the risk of cracking and deformation in new construction. Students, researchers, engineers and the concrete industry will all find this book very helpful and full of useful information and guidance. The book is very readable, well illustrated and has a large number of appropriate references to each chapter. The author is to be congratulated for his excellent efforts in writing such a timely and worthwhile book. R. N. Swamy
Book reviews
buildings are necessary to ensure the optimal use of available materials. The papers in the two volumes of this Conference provide a comprehensive and informative state of the art review of this important aspect of the construction industry. One of the highlights of these conferences is the wide and varied range of material systems and durability aspects covered by the papers. The two volumes of the Singapore Conference contain some 135 papers resulting in over 1000 pages of printed matter. The keynote paper 'Service Life Prediction -- A State of the Art' by L. W. Masters, Chairman of the Joint CIB/RILEM Committee sets the tone to the whole concept of durability and is the first paper of Volume I. The rest of the papers in the two volumes are then divided into a number of separate themes. Volume I contains 66 papers dealing with building materials, concrete materials, fibre reinforced concrete, surface coatings, plastics, concrete structures, design and analysis, and codes and specifications. Volume II contains 70 papers related to corrosion, chemical attack on concrete, influence of aggregate, weathering tests, testing and evaluation and climatic effects. It can readily be seen that no topic related to durability is barred from the Conference theme, and yet they are in so many ways interrelated if we are serious about being able to assess and predict the serviceable life of materials, building components and structures. Collection and dissemination of data identifying the various factors that characterise the behaviour of materials and structures is the first step towards a more durable construction. The papers in these two volumes fully live up to these expectations. Manufacturers, researchers, engineers, architects and developers will find this publication of real value in obtaining a clearer understanding of basic material behaviour related to their practical performance. Alkali Silica Reaction in Concrete, D. W. Hobbs. Thomas Telford, London, UK, 1988. 183 pp. £25.00. ISBN 0 7277 1317 5. Like corrosion of steel reinforcement, alkali silica reaction (ASR) is a very insidious form of concrete deterioration, causing expansion and cracking of concrete and leading to structural distress affecting the safety and stability of concrete structures. Although deterioration of concrete arising from chemical reactions between cement constituents and deleterious minerals in aggre-
gates is few and far between, it is now known that the problem of ASR is world wide, and that, when this type of deterioration does occur, it can be quite dramatic and reduce drastically the serviceable life of concrete construction. Since the reaction was first recognised in 1940, there have been extensive research on alkali aggregate reactions, and eight international conferences have been held. There has, however, been no publication until now that puts together and synthesizes all the available information. This book fulfils admirably this purpose: it is the first comprehensive publication that attempts to present a coherent and authoritative picture of alkali silica reaction, its effects on structures, methods available to diagnose the deterioration and to minimise the risk of damage in new construction. The subject matter of the book is covered in eight chapters. The first three chapters are devoted to the reaction and its effects on concrete. Chapter 1 deals with the history of ASR, the mechanism of reaction, cracking and pessimum behaviour. Concrete constituents, amount of alkali in cement, reactive aggregate particle size, alkalies from other sources and air entrainment all influence the rate and extent of reaction. These matters are discussed in Chapter 2. The third chapter deals with the influence of applied stress and reinforcement on mechanical properties of concrete affected by ASR. It is now known that cracking due to ASR can influence adversely structural behaviour. The structural effects of ASR and repair of damaged structures are discussed in Chapter 4. Chapter 5 presents detailed diagnostic procedures to identify the reaction whilst the effectiveness of mineral admixtures such as fly ash, slag and silica fume in reducing the effects of the reaction is ably summarised in Chapter 6. Testing aggregates and cement-aggregate combinations for their reactivity are described in Chapter 7. The last chapter presents a review of the procedures adopted in various countries to minimise the risk of cracking and deformation in new construction. Students, researchers, engineers and the concrete industry will all find this book very helpful and full of useful information and guidance. The book is very readable, well illustrated and has a large number of appropriate references to each chapter. The author is to be congratulated for his excellent efforts in writing such a timely and worthwhile book. R. N. Swamy