Synergistic effects of graphene oxide and limestone calcined clay cement on mechanical properties and durability of concrete

This study investigates the synergistic effects of graphene oxide (GO) and limestone calcined clay cement (LC3) on the mechanical properties and durability of concrete. Various concrete mixes were prepared, including a reference mix, conventional concrete with 0.04% GO, and LC3 mixes with different clinker to calcined clay ratios (50:30, 45:35, and 40:40), both with and without GO. The mechanical properties were evaluated through compressive strength and split tensile strength tests, while durability was assessed using rapid chloride permeability, rapid chloride migration, water absorption, and corrosion rate measurements. The results revealed that the incorporation of GO in conventional concrete significantly improved both mechanical and durability properties. Among the LC3 mixes, the 45:35 clinker to calcined clay ratio exhibited the best performance. The combination of GO and LC3 resulted in remarkable enhancements, with the LC3 mix containing 0.04% GO and a 45:35 clinker to calcined clay ratio demonstrating the highest strength and durability performance. A strong positive correlation between compressive strength and split tensile strength was observed, and a power function equation was derived to predict split tensile strength based on compressive strength. The findings highlight the potential of combining GO and optimized LC3 for the development of sustainable and high-performance concrete with enhanced mechanical properties and durability. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2024.