Performance comparison of cement replacing materials in concrete: Limestone fillers and supplementary cementing materials – A review

Abstract

Abstract Using supplementary cementing materials (SCMs) as cement replacing materials is common practice in the construction industry to achieve more durable concrete and less CO2 emissions associated with producing concrete materials. The use of finely ground limestone filler (LF) as a cement replacing material is also becoming a widely considered option, partly because of the limited availability of SCMs in some geographic regions. This study provides a comprehensive review based on published literature on the properties of cement-based materials (paste, mortar and concrete) containing limestone filler compared to the properties and performance of cement-based materials containing SCMs (fly ash, slag cement, silica fume or metakaolin). The properties that are examined include early age hydration, mechanical properties, permeability, durability and environmental impacts. At replacement levels up to 10%, concrete or mortar containing LF exhibits similar properties to that of control mix without any cement replacing material. The cementitious and pozzolanic properties of SCMs permit higher cement replacement levels (>10%) which can achieve equivalent or superior properties and durability performance than conventional Portland cement concrete. Based on the available literature, concrete containing LF can exhibit a similar effect as SCMs on reducing global warming potential of the cement-based materials.