Quantitative analysis of the evolution of ASR products and crack networks in the context of the concrete mesostructure

Methodological challenges have long been an obstacle for the understanding of damage in concrete due to alkali-silica reaction (ASR). Time-lapse X-ray tomography could be key advancements but has not extensively exploited, mainly similar electron densities different material phases, which leads poor contrast tomograms. To address this limitation, we propose implementation two complementary agents, BaSO4 and CsNO3. After optimizing contents both agents synergistically mortars, realize first time a quantitative characterization spatial-temporal distributions ASR products cracks, while differentiating their presence aggregates cement paste. This new methodology allowed showing that amounts were found inside The transport from inner aggregate regions into paste along propagating cracks was followed 4D.