Alkali-Silica Reaction Evaluation of Coarse Aggregates from Massachusetts Using Accelerated Tests

The periodic evaluation of the alkali-silica reaction (ASR) susceptibility of aggregates is a key strategy to eliminate the risk of ASR development in transportation infrastructure. A reliable and practical accelerated ASR test is paramount to improve the frequency and efficiency of the aggregate evaluation campaign. This paper assesses the suitability of the new Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center ASR susceptibility test (T-FAST) as a cost-effective tool to evaluate aggregates. Thirty-eight aggregates of varying mineralogies, including carbonates, were characterized using the T-FAST and AASHTO T 380. The results were compared with historic AASHTO T 303 data. The T-FAST accurately classified the reactivity of the aggregates and was identified as the most sensitive among the three accelerated tests. Additionally, the combination of the T-FAST results with the possibility of accurately determining the alkali thresholds of the aggregates provided a broader understanding of the conditions conducive to triggering ASR in the field.