Reactivity assessment of aggregates : the role of chert crystallinity

A systematic assessment scheme for determining the alkali reactivity of aggregates has been developed for international use. Expansion tests were conducted on Irish aggregates. Aggregates were subjected to a sequence of tests for alkali reactivity: petrographic examination and mortar bar and concrete prism expansion testing. No cases of damaging alkali-silica reaction have been identified to date in Ireland despite the presence of chert in significant commercial sources. Chert-bearing Irish aggregates performed poorly in expansion tests despite an exemplary service record. Chert crystallinity was examined through domain size and quartz crystallinity index. The crystallinity study helped explain the apparently anomalous behavior of the aggregates in tests. A preliminary study of the effect of alkali loading provided confirming evidence. It is suggested that enhanced crystallinity raises the alkali threshold value for reaction to one intermediate between that experienced in practice and in tests.