Effect of limestone powder on microstructure of concrete

Abstract

The effect of limestone powder on microstructure of concrete was studied by using mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP), backscattering scanning electron(BSE), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. The experimental results show that the compressive strength of concrete containing 100 kg/m³ limestone powder can meet the strength requirement. Limestone powder has not pozzolanic activity; it is still unhydrated at the age of 28 days. But its filling effect can make the paste matrix and the interfacial transition zone between matrix and aggregate denser, which will improve the performance of concrete.

Keywords

concrete / limestone powder / microstructure / filling effect / hydration characteristic

References

[1] Mather B. Use Less Cement[J]. Concr. Int., 2000, 22(11): 54-55.

[2] Su N., Miao B. A New Method for the Mix Design of Medium Strength Flowing Concrete with Low Cement content[ J]. Cem. Concr. Compos., 2003, 25(3): 215-222.

[3] Baron J., Dourve C. Technical and Economical Aspects of the Use of Limestone Filler Additions in Cement[J]. World Cem., 1987, 18(4): 100-104.

[4] Schmidt M. Cement with Interground Materials-capabilities and Environmental Relief, Part 1[J]. Zement-Kalk-Gips, 1992, 45(4): 87-92.

[5] European Committee for Standardization. Cement: Composition, Specifications and Conformity Criteria, Part 1: CommonCcements[S]. EN 197-1, EN/TC51/WG 6 rev., 2000

[6] Schiller B., Ellerbrock H. G. The Grinding and Properties of Cements with Several Main Constituents[J]. Zement-Kalk-Gips, 1992, 45(9): 223-231.

[7] Sprung S., Siebel E. Assessment of the Suitability of Limestone for Producing Portland Limestone Cement (PKZ)[J]. Zement-Kalk-Gips, 1991, 44(1): 1-11.

[8] Irassar E. F., . Bonavetti V L, González. Microstructural Study of Sulfate Attack on Ordinary and Limestone Portland Cements at Ambient Temperature[J]. Cem. Concr. Res., 2003, 33(1): 31-41.

[9] Moir G., Kelham S. Malhotra V. M. Developments in Manufacture and Use of Portland Limestone Cement[C]. Proceedings of High-Performance Concrete, ACI SP-172, 1997 Detroit, MI American Concrete Institute 797-819.

[10] Bonavettiet V. Limestone Filler Cement in Low w/c Concrete: A Rational Use of Energy[J]. Cem. Concr. Res., 2003, 33(5): 865-871.

[11] Vuk T., Tinta V., Gabrovšek R., . The Effects of Limestone Addition, Clinker Type and Fineness on Properties of Portland Cement[J]. Cem. Concr. Res., 2001, 31(1): 135-139.

[12] Tsivilis S., Kakali G., Haldeou K., . A Study on the Hydration of Portland Limestone Cement by Means of TGA[J]. J. Thermal Anal., 1998, 52(5): 863-870.

[13] Kakali G., Tsivilis S., Aggeli E., . Hydration Products of C₃A, C₃S and Portland Cement in the Presence of CaCO₃ [J]. Cem. Concr. Res., 2000, 30(7): 1073-1077.

[14] Dweck J., Buchler P. M., Coelho A. C., . Hydration of a Portland Cement Blended with Calcium Carbonate[J]. Thermochim. Acta, 2000, 34(6): 105-113.

[15] Opoczky L. Progress of the Particle Size Distribution during the Intergrinding of a Clinker-limestone Mixture[J]. Zem.-Kalk-Gips, 1992, 45(12): 648-651.

[16] Soroka I., Stem N. The Effect of Fillers on Strength of Cement Mortars[J]. Cem. Concr. Res., 1977, 7(4): 449-456.