The Effects of Potassium Acetate and the Alkali-Silica Reactivity of Chert
Chicago O'Hare International Airport is spending billions of dollars in the construction of new airport runways, the University of Illinois in Urbana Champaign is researching was to maximize concrete durability. This paper investigates the effects of potassium acetate (runway deicer) on chert, specifically on length change due to Alkali-Silica Reaction (ASR). A modified ASTM C1260 standard test method for Potential Alkali Reactivity of Aggregates was used during the experiment. Mortar bars containing different percentages of chert were immersed in 1 N potassium acetate solution or 1 N sodium hydroxide solution and the expansion of each specimen was recorded over a 16 day period. Using the measurements collected the pessimum percentage curve was graphed. We conclude that potassium acetate has major effects on concrete but no effects on chert.
School:
Pennsylvania State University
Department:
Aerospace Engineering
Research Advisor:
Leslie Struble
Department of Research Advisor:
Civil Engineering
Year of Publication:
2006