Carbonation of concretes containing LC³ cements with different supplementary materials

Abstract

Due to the clinkerization process during the Portland cement production, large amounts of CO2 are emitted, increasing the effects related to climate change (approximately 5-10% of global CO2 emissions come from cement production), consequently, the seek for alternatives to mitigate these high emissions are necessary. The use of supplementary cementitious materials (SCM) to partial replace of Portand clinker/cement has been the subject of different research, including the use of LC3 cements (Limestone Calcined Clay Cements), where up to 50% of Portland clinker can be replaced, however, cement industry has already used other supplementary cementitious materials with pozzolanic activities in commercial cements. In this sense, this work evaluates the performance of concretes containing LC3 mixtures with the presence of different SCM (silica fume, fly ash, sugarcane bagasse ash and açaí stone ash) regarding durability issues by carbonation. The results showed that all concretes with LC3 presented higher carbonation fronts in relation to the reference concrete, with Portland cement, due to the lower availability of calcium to react with the CO2 that penetrates into the concrete pores, so the adoption of curing procedures and coatings are recommended.

Keywords

• concrete
• LC³-50
• metakaolin
• supplementary cimenticious materials
• clinker