ASR strain rate distribution in a Swiss arch dam

As is well known, concrete dams can suffer from alkali-silica reaction (ASR). In Switzerland, a survey [Amberg, et al, 20171] showed that 40 per cent of concrete dams are affected by ASR in some way. In most cases, it is reported that after a period of initiation, these dams show irreversible deformations in both the vertical and horizontal directions. This is attributed to the swelling of concrete caused by the ASR. However, to the authors’ knowledge, investigations have not been conducted on which areas of a dam undergo swelling and to what extent, so that the spatial variation of ASR strain rates in a dam is still not well understood.