Mapping the research landscape of calcined clay and LC3: A bibliometric perspective on emerging challenges and opportunities

To reduce carbon emissions in cement production and maintain productivity with an abundantly available supplementary cementitious material, research into limestone calcined clay cement (LC³) has been gaining prominence. This study aims to understand the research gaps, emerging themes, and innovation perspectives by examining the data and metrics of published articles found in the SCOPUS database, using the VOSviewer, Bibliometrix and Pajek software tools. This bibliometric analysis, while focused on LC³, intentionally includes studies on calcined clays due to their importance as a key component and the relevance of technological advancements in this area for LC³ development. Keyword analysis highlighted a predominant focus on reactivity and mechanical performance, while revealing underexplored areas such as durability, sustainability and rheology. Emerging themes include LC³ performance in harsh environments, circular economy applications, and post-fire scenarios. The findings point to future research directions emphasizing clay rheology and comprehensive life cycle assessments, contributing to the advancement of LC³ as a sustainable cement alternative.