Laboratory Investigation of Lithium-Bearing Compounds for Use in Concrete

Report No: 02-R16

Published in 2002

About the report:

Lithium nitrate and lithium hydroxide were evaluated in the laboratory to examine their effectiveness in controlling expansions resulting from alkali-silica reaction and their effect on concrete properties. The lithium compounds were more effective in highly accelerated tests using Pyrex as the aggregate than in concrete prism tests using a reactive Virginia aggregate. The effective dosage of lithium nitrate in the concrete prism test was higher than that typically recommended. Lithium nitrate had a benign effect on the strength, electrical resistance, drying shrinkage, and resistance to freezing and thawing. Similar results were obtained with lithium hydroxide, with the exception of a retarding effect on strength development. Using current sources of fly ash and slag is more effective in addressing problems with ASR than using lithium admixtures.

Documents

02-R16

_{Disclaimer Statement:The contents of this report reflect the views of the author(s), who is responsible for the facts and the accuracy of the data presented herein. The contents do not necessarily reflect the official views or policies of the Virginia Department of Transportation, the Commonwealth Transportation Board, or the Federal Highway Administration. This report does not constitute a standard, specification, or regulation. Any inclusion of manufacturer names, trade names, or trademarks is for identification purposes only and is not to be considered an endorsement.}

Authors

D. Stephen Lane

Last updated: December 4, 2023