Alkali-aggregate reaction in Swiss tunnels

Title: Alkali-aggregate reaction in Swiss tunnels
Author(s): A. Leemann, C. Thalmann, W. Studer
Paper category : journal
Serial title: Materials and Structures
Abreviated Serial title: Mater. Struct.
ISSN: 1359-5997
Publisher: RILEM Publications SARL
Volume: 38
Issue: 277
Issue date: 2005-04-01
Publication year: 2005
Pages: 381 - 386
Total Pages: 6
Nb references: 29
Language: English

Abstract: Currently the work for two new railroad tunnels through the Swiss Alps with a length of 35 and 57 km respectively is in progress.
Prepared aggregates quarried from the tunnels are reused for the concrete.
About 50% of these aggregates are classified as reactive in regard to alkali-aggregate reaction (AAR) according to the AFNOR P 18-588 microbar test.
In order to obtain information about AAR in concrete exposed to underground conditions, eight existing tunnels are investigated in this study.
The concrete and shotcrete of the 16 coring sites studied is between 19 and 44 years old.
The visual inspection of the tunnels and the physical properties of the concrete and shotcrete indicate no substantial damage although signs for AAR are present in the majority of the samples.
Furthermore, the aggregates of seven coring sites are classified as reactive, but they obviously do not reach their reaction potential.
A possible reason might be the minor climatic fluctuations in the tunnels.
The results of this study indicate that reactive aggregates might be used for concrete in tunnels without causing damage due to AAR.

Online publication: 2005-01-21
Classification: Scientific Reports
Publication type : full_text
Public price (Euros): 0.00
doi: 10.1617/14213