THE EFFECT OF LITHIUM-BASED ADMIXTURES ON THE PROPERTIES OF CONCRETE

The use of lithium nitrate solution, at the levels of addition necessary to effectively control expansion due to ASR, appears to have no adverse effect on the properties of fresh and hardened concrete. Changes in the measured slump, air content and setting time of plastic concrete were generally insignificant. Tests on sawn concrete samples confirmed that the use of lithium had no impact on the hardened air-void parameters. Physical testing of hardened concrete showed that the use of lithium had little significant or consistent effect on the concrete strength or its durability as defined by the resistance of specimens to the penetration of chlorides or cyclic freezing and thawing.