Performance of lime calcined clay cement-an experimental and microstructural evaluation

Abstract

Portland cement is widely used in the construction industry because of its reasonable strength bearing capacity under the load and hydraulic behaviour, but it emits 5% of global carbon dioxide. Calcium sulfoaluminate (CSA) cement is the alternative binder, which provides the same strength as Portland cement and reduces the emission of carbon dioxide. This paper presents the experimental investigation and microstructural study of two different mixes of CSA cement. Lab-based physical tests were conducted for CSA and ordinary Portland cement (OPC) cement for basic hydraulic characteristics (setting, fineness, specific gravity, etc.). The microstructural studies were done for 1, 7, and 28 days for OPC and CSA cement. The phase volume diagram for CSA cement has been formulated using hydration kinetics. Through microstructural analysis, it is found that the clinker formed from the proposed blend of binders has extremely satisfactory in terms of physical setting property and hydration compound formation.