Evaluating the efficiency of SCMs to avoid or mitigate ASR-induced expansion and deterioration through a multi-level assessment

It is widely accepted that Alkali-Silica Reaction (ASR)-induced expansion and deterioration may be prevented by the appropriate use of supplementary cementing materials (SCMs). Nevertheless, the correlation between microscopic/macroscopic damage degree and features of SCMs-made concrete is still not fully understood. Moreover, more research needs to be conducted to understand the impact of SCMs on the elastic properties of ASR-secondary products. This research presents the results of a multi-level assessment of ASR-induced damage development in concrete incorporating a wide range of reactive aggregates and SCMs at selected unrestrained expansion levels (i.e., 0.00 %, 0.05 %, 0.12 %, 0.20 % and 0.30 %). Furthermore, a thorough discussion is made on the damage generation and propagation at distinct locations of affected concrete: aggregate particles, ITZ and cement paste. Results indicate that higher volumes of SCMs can slightly change ASR damage development by lowering the formation of cracks in the cement paste and altering ASR reaction products' chemo-mechanical properties.