The rising concern with CO2 emission caused by Portland cement production has promoted the search for sustainable alternatives. Over the last few years, there’s been a growing interest in a promising solution that reduces 45% of clinker (i.e., the main component of Portland cement) while keeping the performance of concrete: the Limestone Calcined Clay Cement - LC³.
The establishment of the LC³ on a global scale is conducted by a collective effort of Swiss, Indian, and Cuban institutions, which are already producing it on an industrial scale.
This cement comprises 50% Portland clinker, 30% calcined clay, 15% limestone, and 5% gypsum. Besides kaolinitic clays, already used in concrete, this cement allows the use of “less noble” clays (i.e., with lower kaolinite content). This is facilitated by the large availability of clay sources worldwide, in contrast with the availability of conventional supplementary cementitious materials that are often conditioned to local industries.
This project investigates the technical viability of producing LC³ with clays from the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Based on the results of this research, we expect to identify the potential clay sources in that State and confirm the technical viability of using these calcined clays in the production of LC³.