Micro-scale Cracking of Concrete due to the Alkali-Silica Reaction

Alkali-silica reaction (ASR) is a concrete disease that leads to its degradation. ASR is the reaction between the amorphous silica (SiO2 ) and the alkali ions (Na + , K + ), leading to expansion of concrete in presence of Ca 2+ . In this study, it is assumed that the internal pressure exerted on a concrete matrix by the expanding products leads to its cracking and loss of its bearing capacity.