Friday, 20th April

9.00am - 5.00pm Pyrite Symposium

• Venue: MacNeill Lecture Theatre, Hamilton Building

‘The Implications of Pyrite Beneath Structures’

Session 1: Chaired by Dr Laurence Gill

9.00am-10.00am – Dr Brian Hawkins (University of Bristol)

• ‘Background to sulphate-induced heave’
• The talk will set the scene by explaining the cause of sulphate-related heave and some of the problems which have occurred where structures have been built on pyrite-rich strata and on pyritiferous fill.

10.00am-10.20am – Mike Eden

• ‘Microscopic and SEM assessment’
• The chemical and physical changes responsible for expansion in fill containing framboidal pyrite take place on a microscopic scale. The talk will illustrate the characteristics of framboidal pyrite, pyrite alteration and the cracking associated with these processes. The potential for pyrite to lead to sulphate attack will be discussed.

10.20am-10.40am – Dr Robbie Goodhue (Department of Geology, Trinity College Dublin)

• ‘Testing for Pyrite – what x-rays can and can’t tell us’
• The talk will focus on the strengths and weaknesses of x-ray diffraction (XRD) and x-ray fluorescence (XRF) as two of the analytical techniques used to investigate mineral and elemental composition in rocks. An overview of the main obstacles in providing quantitative data will be presented and the potential to differentiate quarry sources discussed

10.40am-11.00am - Discussion

11.00am-11.15am - Tea and coffee break

Session 2: Chaired by Dr Eric Farrell

11.15am-11.35am - Ballymun Youth Centre, &Matthew Stevens

• Ballymun Youth Centre showed signs of pyrite-induced damage soon after completion in 2005. Following an extensive investigative, sampling, and monitoring process, the building was remediated in 2009 by James Elliott
• Construction, the original building contractor.

11.35am-11.55am - Cloncarthy, Peter Finnegan

• The defects observed in a small 2-storey Dublin City Council flat complex will be described. Many of the classic symptoms associated with sulphate-related heave were evident, as well as some unexpected phenomena. The remediation process is briefly discussed, as well as the attempts to record information during that process

11.55am-12.15pm – Paul Forde

• ‘The effect of heave on structures’
• The talk will outline the various ways in which buildings respond to heave created by sulphate generation. The effect on the floor slab depends on the thickness and reinforcement of the slab, while much of the consequential damage depends on the interaction between the slab and the walls. Some remediation measures and their certification will be briefly discussed.

12.15pm-12.45pm - Discussion

12.45pm-1.45pm - Lunch break

Session 3: Chaired by Dr Trevor Orr

1.45pm-2.30pm - The Canadian Experience , Michael Maher

• The history of pyrite-related heave problems in Canada will be reviewed, highlighting the similarities and differences between the problematic aggregates in Canada and those in Ireland, by reference to case studies. An overview of the testing procedures used and the protocols developed to control the problem in Canada will be presented.

2.30pm-2.50pm - The Kentucky Experience, Professor Warren Anderson (University of Kentucky)

• Pyrite oxidation and sulphate formation have caused serious foundation problems in parts of east-central Kentucky. The talk discusses examples from structures built on the Chattanooga Shale and some of the sulphate minerals which caused the heaving. It points out that work in the USA suggests that prevention is the best solution, as remediation and repair is very expensive.

2.50pm-3.15pm - Discussion

3.15pm-3.45pm &- Tea and coffee break

Session 4: Chaired by Michael Hughes

2.45pm-4.45pm - Panel Discussion - SR21 and Series 800 re-visited

• Determining the suitability of aggregate to avoid heave and/or concrete attack - A review of advice given in the various Standards and Codes regarding the testing of aggregate fill and consideration of the appropriate thresholds for aggregates to be used in construction

4.45pm-5.00pm - Closing remarks - Dr Brian Hawkins

Please contact Dr Brian Hawkins by email for more details:
brian_hawkins@btconnect.com

For more information see http://www.pyritesymposium.com/