Abstract
It is now more than 80 years since Alkali Aggregate Reactions (AAR) first were reported as a deleterious deterioration mechanism in concrete. In Norway, AAR was recognised in the late nineteeneighties. Norwegian experience and expertise have increased significantly since then and entered the international stage, with connections to leading research parties worldwide. Several Norwegian master’s degrees, PhD theses and major R&D projects have been carried out, focused on test methods and corresponding criteria for the prediction of AAR as observed on Norwegian concrete structures. Reliable Norwegian test methods and guidelines have been developed, through the Norwegian Concrete Association, and linked to the European concrete standard, enabling use of local reactive aggregates, in a sustainable way, by documenting and producing non-reactive and durable concrete. Norwegian researchers have participated actively in the various Technical Committees (TC’s) on AAR in RILEM and have been in the leadership of the two most recent TC’s since 2014. This work has recently achieved some significant progress regarding recommendations, and performance-based testing concept, to prevent damage by AAR in new concrete structures. This paper is a review of the research carried out in Norway during more than 3 decades, parties involved, and the results and conclusions achieved. Eventually, this paper presents a summary of where we are today in international AAR research, identifies key milestones and addresses some specific topics for future research.