Properties and behavior of limestone cement concrete and mortar

In this paper, the properties and the behavior of limestone cement concrete and mortar are studied. Portland limestone cements of different fineness and limestone content have been produced by intergrinding clinker, gypsum and limestone. In order to have compatible results, the produced cements were selected to have the same level of strength. Portland limestone cement, containing up to 20% limestone, presents satisfactory concrete strength and workability, while the sorptivity and the chloride permeability seems to be similar to the pure cement concrete. Limestone cement concretes indicate lower resistance to freezing and thawing compared with the pure cement concrete. Portland limestone cement, containing 20% limestone, shows the optimum protection against rebar corrosion. Furthermore, the limestone additions decrease the carbonation depth and the total porosity of the mortar. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.