Effect of natural perlite on mechanical properties of light-weight aggregate composites by alkali-silica reaction

This study was performed in order to examine the behavior of natural perlite aggregate composites against durability problems caused by alkali silica reaction (ASR). Mortars containing 5%, 10%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% natural perlite were subjected to the ASR test. Mechanical tests were also performed on mortar samples. In addition, scanning electron microscope (SEM) analyzes were also applied. The expansion value of the 25% natural perlite substituted mortar with the highest ASR expansion increased by 145% as compared with the control mortar. When the natural perlite ratio increased from 25% to 100%, the expansion values decreased dramatically. 5% natural perlite substituted mortar had the highest compressive and flexural strengths. The SEM analysis results were obtained to be consistent with the ASR expansion results. Experimental results proved that mortars produced from 100% natural perlite can be used effectively to reduce the durability problems caused by ASR.