EXPERIENCE USING THE NORWEGIAN 38°C CONCRETE PERFORMANCE TEST EVALUATING THE ALKALI REACTIVITY OF CONCRETE MIXES AND DIFFERENT BINDER COMBINATIONS

Three methods have been applied in Norway for classifying the alkali reactivity of aggregates; apetrographic method, an 80°C AMBT and a 38°C CPT. According to the Norwegian regulations, theCPT is also specified for performance testing of concrete mixes. For testing of different binders’ability to hinder development of ASR, the assumed most alkali reactive Norwegian aggregates werechosen as reference. During the last ten years almost 150 concrete mixes with binders composed ofPortland cement, fly ash, silica fume, ggbfs, LWA fines and different filler types have been tested. This paper summarizes the results, with focus on the advantages of using the Norwegian performance test.One main finding is that the approved acceptance limits of 3.0 and 6.5 kg Na2O eq./m3 forbinders with CEM I and Norcem Standard-FA cement, respectively, in combination with allNorwegian aggregate types in common use are regarded as a safe tool.