Mitigation and monitoring of the structural effects due to internal expansive reactions in concrete

Abstract

Abstract An increasing number of concrete structures have developed damage due to internal expansive reactions, particularly by alkalisilica reaction (ASR) and internal sulphate reaction (ISR). In Portugal, several dams are affected, motivating numerous studies in order to improve the ability to prevent, diagnose and mitigate this phenomenon and their structural effects. More recently, some concrete bridges have been also affected by the same disease, requiring important works for their rehabilitation and, in some cases, making necessary its replacement. This paper presents a case study of a Bridge located in the Northern part of Portugal, where the main pylons will be submerged due to the construction of a dam downstream. Taking into account this situation, the Portuguese Road Authority decided to carry a testing campaign to quantify the current condition of the concrete and to evaluate the potential of future expansion due to ASR and ISR. Since the studies performed by LNEC indicate a strong possibility of ASR and ISR occurrence, it was been proposed the application of a concrete waterproofing system in the bridge pylons, before the reservoir filling. The bridge was instrumented in order to evaluate the performance of the waterproofing system and to detect early the structural effects resulting from the possible occurrence of expansive reactions in concrete. For this purpose, temperature and humidity probes, electrical resistance based sensors and thermometers were installed inside the concrete of one bridge pier. Three sections were instrumented in three levels, corresponding to different exposure conditions: the lower level, which will be permanently submerged; an intermediate level, which will be only part of the year submerged; and, finally, the top level that will be always dry. At these sections horizontal crack meters were also installed in order to detected and measure possible cracking. After a brief description of the Bridge, the procedure adopted to mitigate the development of the internal expansive reactions in concrete is presented. However, the focus of this paper is the presentation of the monitoring system, as well as some of the main measurements carried out.