Investigation of the effect of alkali silica reaction (ASR) on properties of concrete pavement admixed with cow bone ash (CBA) by electrical resistivity test

Abstract

The use of concrete in road pavements construction in view of its durability and cost effectiveness over time have gained momentum. Cement concrete pavements however suffer deterioration due to Alkali-Silica Reaction (ASR). This study therefore investigates the use of Cow Bone Ash (CBA) in mitigating the effect of ASR using electrical resistivity test (schlumberger array probe method). The results are then compared with American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards and relevant literatures. The result of the study showed that the average resistivity at 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 30% CBA replacement are 298.87 ωm, 306.23 ωm, 215.02 ωm, 489.31 ωm, 382.34 ωm and 272.53 ωm respectively. This indicates that the peak resistivity is obtained at 15% CBA replacement which is the optimal replacement level for ASR inhibition in the concrete. The result also shows that the concrete samples are corrosion free with the least resistivity value on the 7th day at 30% CBA addition (163.03 ωm) and the maximum value at 20% CBA addition on the 56th Day (1069.54 ωm). The study concluded that ASR and reinforcement corrosion can be effectively controlled between 15% and 20% cement replacement by CBA in concrete/rigid pavements.