Properties of Concrete Mixed with Portland-Limestone Cement of Different Grinding Qualities

Abstract

This paper presents a study carried out on concrete made with seven Tunisian cements with varying limestone filler content (binders) and manufactured on an industrial scale. The purpose of the study is to promote portland-limestone cement in countries where these cements are not usually used. The mechanical aspects of the concrete’s behavior were examined over a period of 3 days to 1 year. Permeability and accelerated and natural carbonation as a function of initial curing time were also studied over periods that were occasionally even longer. The results show that limestone filler does have a beneficial action on some properties, such as strength at early age, but is less beneficial for other properties, such as carbonation. However, the addition of limestone filler leads to concretes of entirely acceptable properties for current uses, certainly if filler content does not exceed 25%, and if optimized grinding of binders is conducted.