Effects of the fineness of limestone powder and cement on the hydration and strength development of PLC concrete

Portland limestone cement (PLC) have been widely used in the world because of its environmental impact, which is less carbon dioxide emissions by using less amount of cement clinkers. Moreover, formation of monocarboaluminates as fillers in cement can improve dense concrete microstructures by reacting with C3A. Also, larger nucleation sites from limestone powder can enhance strengths due to the active cement hydration. Thus, in this study, the effects of the fineness and replacement of limestone powder on the hydration and strength properties of concrete were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), setting times, isothermal calorimetry, compressive strength and mercury intrusion porosimetry techniques. The obtained results showed that the addition of limestone powder accelerated cement hydration by providing nucleation sites for the hydration products, and as a result, the fineness of cement and limestone powder strongly influenced on the hydration reaction and the strength development.