Whitepaper: Flatline Alkali-Silica Reaction with Pumice-Blended Cement for Pennies a Yard
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In regions with reactive aggregate, the alkali-silica reaction (ASR) is a pestilence that infects and destroys vital concrete infrastructure. ASR fuels a relentless, slow-motion explosion that shatters both the concrete and the aggregate, significantly shortening the engineered lifespan of the infected structure.
Once the alkali-silica reaction kindles within concrete—triggered by the collision of alkali, silica, moisture, and calcium hydroxide (a deleterious byproduct spawned by the Portland cement+water hydration reaction)—it cannot be stopped. Failure is imminent.
ASR must be mitigated in the concrete mix design by specifying a consistent, quantifiable supplementary cementitious material (SCM) thatflatlines the reaction. Clean, naturally calcined pumice from the massive Hess deposit in southeast Idaho USA is ideal: this carefully refined pumice not only delivers proven ASR mitigation in the presence of even highly reactive aggregates, it does so as a percentage of cement replacement while contributing additional durability benefits to the concrete as well.
CONCLUSION: When pumice is incorporated as an SCM in the concrete mix design, the ASR problem goes away—for just pennies a yard. Even better, the mechanism that flatlines the alkali-silica reaction is one that targets and reclaims deleterious calcium hydrate (CH), converting it to CSH, the chemical binder that makes concrete work. That both removes the trouble-spawning CH from the hydrated concrete paste and repurposes it to amplify the density and strength of the concrete matrix. [DOWNLOAD PDF | EN ESPAÑOL]
TECHNICAL: Brian K. Jeppsen, VP - R&D
(208) 766-4777 x111 • brian@hesspumice.com
SALES: Jason Kimberling, Sales Manager
(208) 766-4777 x142 • salesmgr@hesspumice.com