Dhir PLC

Materials and Structures (2007) 40:459473
DOI 10.1617/s11527-006-9143-7
O R I G I N A L A RT I C L E
Evaluation of Portland limestone cements for use in

concrete construction
R. K. Dhir M. C. Limbachiya
M. J. McCarthy A. Chaipanich
Received: 29 April 2005 / Accepted: 5 December 2005 / Published online: 25 January 2007
RILEM 2007
Abstract The paper describes a study carried out

to examine the performance of concrete produced
using combinations of Portland cement (PC) and
limestone (LS), covering compositions for Portland limestone cement (PLC) conforming to BS
EN 197-1: 2000, and up to 45% LS. In particular,
key engineering (mechanical) and durability
properties of concrete were studied. The results
indicate only minor differences in performance
between PC and 15% PLC concretes of the same
cement content and water/cement (w/c) ratio
(cement = Portland cement + addition). However, there was an adverse effect with increasing LS
content beyond 15% of the cement content for
many properties. It is shown that for 35 N/mm2
cube strength concrete the adjustment to w/c ratio
to match the compressive strength of PC concrete
was in the region of 0.08 for each 10% LS added
(water curing at 20C) above this level. Studies of
permeation and concrete durability performance,
including, initial surface absorption, carbonation
resistance, chloride diffusion, freeze/thaw scaling
and abrasion resistance, indicate that in general the
R. K. Dhir (&) M. J. McCarthy A. Chaipanich
Concrete Technology Unit, Department of Civil
Engineering, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1
4HN Scotland, UK
e-mail: r.k.dhir@dundee.ac.uk
M. C. Limbachiya
Kingston University, KT1 1LQ Surrey, UK
test concretes followed single relationships with

strength for most properties. Consideration is given to the practical implications of the main outcomes of the study.
Resume Larticle decrit une etude ayant pour objet

dexaminer les performances du beton produit a` laide
de combinaisons de ciment Portland (PC) et de
calcaire (LS), recouvrant des compositions allant
jusqua` 45% de LS, et au-dela`, pour le ciment de
calcaire de Portland (PLC), conformement a` la
norme EN DE BS 197-1 : 2000. On a etudie en particulier les proprietes cles mecaniques et de durabilite
du beton. Les resultats indiquent seulement des
differences mineures entre les betons a` base de PC et
15 % de PLC pour un contenu de ciment et un rapport
eau/ciment identiques. Cependant, on a observe un
effet defavorable avec laccroissement du contenu de
LS au dela` de ce niveau pour beaucoup de proprietes.
Un graphique illustrant la composition du melange
indique que lajustement du contenu de LS au rapport
eau/ciment, necessaire pour correspondre a` la resistance a` la compression du beton de PC, impliquait des
reductions de ce rapport eau/ciment dentre 0,04 et
0,08 pour chaque tranche de 10% de LS ajoute. Les
etudes des performances de durabilite du beton, y
compris labsorption de surface initiale, la gazeication, la diffusion de chlorure, la resistance au gel-degel et lecaillement, indiquent que sur une base de
resistance egale, les performances etaient similaires
460
pour le PC et les melanges de beton de PLC. On

sinteresse aux implications pratiques des principaux
resultats de letude.
and carried out in collaboration with industrial

partners.
Keywords Limestone fines Portland limestone

cement Concrete Engineering properties
Permeation Durability Practicle implications
2 Programme of work
1 Introduction
A new European Standard for common cements, BS EN 197-1 [1], was introduced in the
UK during 2000. This offers a broader range of
cement constituents for concrete production
than have been traditionally used. Moreover,
many of the materials are by-products of
industrial processes and offer environmental
benefits to concrete construction. Amongst the
cement types covered, this harmonised standard
permits the use of Portland limestone cement
(PLC) containing: (i) 620% limestone (LS),
(Type II/A-L) and (ii) 2135% LS (Type II/BL). However, there is a lack of field experience
[2] and hence wider use of PLC remains limited. Furthermore, while the influences of PLC
on concrete performance have been examined
in several studies internationally [29], the
technical data available are mainly limited to
PLC with relatively low LS contents and to
selective properties. As a result, in some standards restrictions were placed on its use in
certain exposure conditions [2, 10].
Given this background, the reported study
was initiated during the late 1990s to examine
the engineering (mechanical) and durability
performance of PLC concrete and to compare
this with reference PC concrete. The study
formed part of a wider research programme,
carried out by the University of Dundees
Concrete Technology Unit [11] to examine the
performance of European Pre-standard ENV
197-1 [12] cements that were relatively unfamiliar to UK specifiers, with the overall aim to
develop guidance for the use of these materials.
The research was funded by the Department of
the Environment, Transport and the Regions
There is general agreement in the literature [4, 5]

that at levels up to 5%, there is little impact of LS
on the fresh and hardened properties of concrete.
Therefore, in formulating the test programme, it
was decided to use higher levels than this, both (i)
with a view to optimising the use of the material,
and (ii) to work within the framework of cement
types covered in BS EN 197-1 and beyond. The
following cement combinations were therefore
used, (i) 100% PC, 0% LS as a reference, (ii) 85%
PC, 15% LS, covering the mid range of Type II/
A-L, (iii) 75% PC, 25% LS and 65% PC, 35% LS,
covering Type II/B-L and (iv) 55% PC, 45% LS,
higher than the level permitted in BS EN 197-1.
Most aspects of performance were studied,
including, (i) engineering properties (cube
strength, flexural strength, modulus of elasticity,
creep and drying shrinkage) and (ii) durability
properties (initial surface absorption, carbonation
resistance, chloride diffusion, freeze/thaw scaling
and abrasion resistance). The approach to proportioning concrete mixes covered the practical
range of cement contents (235410 kg/m3) and w/
c ratios (0.450.79), which enabled both the effect
of LS to be directly examined and any adjustments necessary to LS concrete mixes to achieve
equivalent strengths to those of PC concretes to
be established. A range of curing conditions,
covering the effects of temperature and variable
moist curing, including simulated site conditions,
were also examined. The test methods used were
those described in British/European Standards, or
techniques developed at the University of Dundee (given in detail in the relevant sections of the
paper).
The programme of work, with the combination
of concrete mixes, curing conditions and properties investigated, meant that it was possible to
examine the practical implications of the results,
with a view to developing guidance on the use of
LS in concrete construction.
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3 Experimental details
3.1 Materials
A CEM I, 42.5R Portland cement (PC), conforming to BS EN 197-1 [1] was used for reference concrete mixes and for blending with ground
limestone to BS EN 7979 [13] to produce PLC for
the study. The main properties of both materials
and PLCs are given in Table 1.
The aggregates used were crushed-granite in
2010 and 105 mm fractions and a natural
medium grade sand conforming to BS EN 12620
[14]. A superplasticizing admixture to BS EN 9342 [15] was used to control consistence at fixed free
water contents. An air-entraining admixture to
BS EN 934-2 [15] was used for some of the freezethaw scaling test mixes.
3.2 Mix proportions
The PC concretes were proportioned to give a
range of cement contents from 235 to 410 kg/m3
(at increments of 4050 kg/m3), a fixed free
water content of 185 l/m3 (w/c ratios 0.450.79)
and consistence of 75 mm slump. The coarse
aggregate contents of all mixes were fixed at
800 and 400 kg/m3 for 2010 and 105 mm sizes,
respectively and the fine aggregate contents
adjusted in each mix to maintain yield. For the

PLC concretes, the cement, free water and
coarse aggregate contents were kept the same
as the corresponding PC concrete mixes. These
mixes contained 15, 25, 35 and 45% LS levels
by mass (referred to as LS15, LS25, LS35 and
LS45 mixes) of cement. Their fine aggregate
contents were adjusted slightly to maintain
yield. For the air-entrained concretes (at 285 kg/
m3 cement content) the coarse aggregate contents were as for the other mixes, the free water
and fine aggregate contents were reduced to
control consistence and yield, and the air-entraining admixture was used to give the required air content of 5.0 0.5%.
3.3 Preparation of test samples
Concrete was produced using a horizontal forcedaction pan mixer of 0.045 m3 capacity. After
testing of fresh properties, concrete was cast into
steel moulds and stored for 24 h at 20C under
damp hessian/plastic sheeting, prior to demoulding and curing as required.
3.4 Curing conditions
To ensure that the study covered the effect of a
range of practical curing environments, specimens
Table 1 Main properties of cement constituents and Portland limestone cements

Property
Constituent
PC
Particle density, kg/m3

SSA, m2/kg
Chemistry*, %
SiO2
Al2O3
Fe2O3
CaO
MgO
SO3
CO2
K2O
NaO
Loss on ignition
Property
LS
3140
381
2700
638
21.40
4.70
2.70
65.20
1.00
2.90
0.64
0.13
0.90
1.10
0.06
0.09
54.70
0.30
43.40
0.02
0.04
43.50
Cement types
PC
PLC, % LS by mass
15
25
35
45
BS EN 196-1
Compressive strength, N/mm2
2 day
7 day
28 day
Consistence penetration, mm
Strength class
30.6
45.8
63.5
28.0
42.5
25.3
37.7
45.0
30.0
42.5
21.6
33.0
40.1
34.0
32.5
17.7
28.5
34.7
31.0
32.5
14.1
22.4
26.9
35.0
BS EN 196-3
Standard consistence, % H2O
Initial setting time, min
Soundness, mm
26.5
105
0.5
26.8
128
0.5
26.8
128
0.5
26.8
122
0.5
27.0
118
0.0
*Bogue composition (PC): C3S = 57.0%, C2S = 18.0%, C3A = 7.8%, C4AF = 8.2%; TOC (LS) = 0.04%
462
4 Engineering Properties
for cube strength development were cured in five

different conditions, covering temperature and
moisture duration, prior to testing. These included 20C and 5C water curing and variable
moist curing of 1, 3 and 7 days in water at 20C
and then air at 20C/55% relative humidity (RH).
For the other tests, concrete was mainly cured in
water at 20C, unless indicated otherwise.
4.1 Strength development

To study the effect of LS content on compressive
strength development, 100 mm cube specimens
were tested up to the age of 1 year, in accordance
with BS EN 12390-3 [16].
a) 70
CUBE STRENGTH, N/mm
60
Concrete
Cement Content = 310 kg/m
W/C = 0.60
50
PC
LS15
40
LS25
30
LS35
20
LS45
10
0
7 10
28
56
AGE, days
1000
365
c) 70
b) 70
60
60
50
50
Cement
Content,
kg/m
40
30
410
355
35
20
310
35 N/mm
40
Concrete
30
PC
LS15
20
LS25
LS35
285
10
0
10
20
30
LS CONTENT, %
40
50
0
0.4
0.5
0.67
0.62
235
0.54
10
0.46
28-DAY CUBE STRENGTH, N/mm
100 180
0.6
0.7
.7
W/C RATIO
LS45
0.8
0.9
Fig. 1 (a) Strength development, and effect of (b) LS content and (c) w/c ratio on 28-day cube strength of PC and PLC
concretes (curing; 20C water)
463
4.1.1 Effect of LS content
the minor reactive contribution of LS [17] and

dilution of PC.
The relationship between 28-day strength and
w/c ratio gave expected behaviour, as illustrated
in Fig. 1c and is in agreement with data reported
in other work [4, 17].
Figure 1a shows, as a typical example, the

strength development of standard 20C watercured concrete mixes, with 310 kg/m3 cement
content and 0.60 w/c ratio, containing 0, 15, 25,
35 and 45% LS. The PLC concrete had lower
strength, compared to that of PC at all ages,
with the reduction in strength increasing with
LS content. Moreover, the effect of this on
strength became greater with age. The 28-day
strength results obtained for concrete covering
the range of cement contents (235410 kg/m3)
are shown plotted against LS content in Fig. 1b.
The results show a small reduction in strength
at 15% LS but a greater reduction for concrete
containing between 15 and 45% LS, reflecting
4.1.2 Effect of curing

In order to examine the effect of curing, the
above mixes were introduced to the following
conditions after casting, (i) 5C water curing and
(ii) limited moist curing (20C water then in air at
20C, 55% RH). Limited moist curing specimens
were immersed in water at 20C for 12 h prior to
testing at 3 days, 24 h at 7 days and 48 h before
testing at all other ages, to achieve similar
Table 2 Effect of initial curing on compressive strength of PC and PLC concrete mixes, w/c = 0.60
(a) Water temperature
Mix
Cube strength, N/mm2

Age at test, days
2
28
180
Water storage temperature

PC
PLC
LS15
LS25
LS35
LS45
5C
17.0
20C
20.0
5C
35.0
20C
41.0
5C
47.5
20C
49.0
14.0
10.5
8.0
5.0
17.0
13.0
10.0
6.5
32.0
27.0
21.5
15.5
36.5
30.5
23.5
17.0
42.0
33.5
26.0
19.0
42.5
34.0
26.0
18.5
(b) Duration of water curing*

Mix
Cube strength, N/mm2

Age at test, days
28
180
Period of water curing, days

PC
PLC
LS15
LS25
LS35
LS45
1
32.5
3
34.5
7
37.0
28
41.0
1
32.5
3
36.5
7
39.5
180
49.0
27.5
22.0
17.0
12.0
29.0
24.0
18.0
13.0
32.0
25.5
19.5
13.5
36.5
30.5
23.5
17.0
26.0
23.0
16.5
13.5
31.0
25.0
18.5
14.0
32.5
27.5
20.5
15.0
42.5
34.0
26.0
18.5
*24 hours storage in mould under wet Hessian followed by limited 20C water curing and controlled air (20C, 55% RH)
storage, prior to testing
464
Fig. 2 Relationship of (a) flexural strength and (b) modulus of elasticity with 28-day cube strength of PC and PLC
concretes, w/c = 0.60 (curing; 20C water)
moisture conditions for the specimens. The

strength results obtained for the PC and PLC
mixes with 310 kg/m3 cement content and 0.60 w/c
ratio are given in Table 2.
The early strengths of concrete cured in water
at 20C were higher than those of specimens
cured in water at 5C, Table 2a. However, at
180 days, the effect of curing temperature reduced for all concretes and became insignificant
for PLC mixes. The results of variable moist
cured concrete show, as expected, a gradual
reduction in strength at both 28 and 180 days,
with decrease in moist curing duration, Table 2b.
In this case, differences reduced between moist
curing periods with increasing LS content.
occurred for PLC concrete, which increased with

LS content and reflects corresponding reductions
in cube strength. A similar effect was noted for
modulus of elasticity, although both PC and PLC
concretes were found to lie within the typical
range given in BS 8110-2 [20].
In the case of flexural strength, these effects
are due to the impact of LS addition on the paste
strength and paste/aggregate bond, while for
modulus of elasticity, the influence on paste
stiffness is important. The results indicate that as
reported elsewhere [7, 21], there is little impact
on these properties up to a certain LS level, in this
case, 15% and it is beyond this that there is a
noticeable effect.
4.2 Flexural strength and modulus of elasticity
4.3 Creep and drying shrinkage
The flexural strength and modulus of elasticity of

310 kg/m3 cement content and 0.60 w/c ratio
concrete prism (100 100 500 mm) and cylinder (150 mm 300 mm) specimens, were
determined in accordance with BS EN 12390-5
[18] and BS 1881121 [19], respectively.
The relationships between both properties and
28-day cube strength (water cured) are shown in
Fig. 2. A gradual reduction in flexural strength
Creep strains were measured on cylinder specimens (100 mm 300 mm) loaded at a constant stress of 40% of the cube strength after
28 days initial 20C water curing. Drying shrinkage
strain was measured on prism specimens
(75 75 300 mm) exposed to 20C, 55% RH
conditions, 24 h after casting, by periodically
recording lengths and comparing these with the
initial measurements. For both properties,
465
Table 3 Comparison of 90 day deformation properties of

PC and PLC concrete mixes, w/c = 0.60
Table 4 Correction factors for w/c ratio to achieve

concrete strength equivalent to 20C water cured
Property
Mix
Concrete type
PC
w/c Multiplication factor
PLC
Curing/storage method
LS15 LS25 LS35 LS45
Moist cured/then air at 20C,

55% RH
Cube strengtha, N/mm2

41.0 36.5 30.5 23.5 17.0
790 780 775 770 760
Creepb, 106
Drying shrinkagec, 106 680 630 605 590 575
5C water
curing
Duration of moist curing

1 day
3 days
7 days
0.83
0.88
0.93
0.89
0.83
0.83
0.83
0.83
0.87
0.87
0.87
0.86
0.90
0.90
0.90
0.89
0.91
0.93
0.95
0.97
28 days, 20C water cured
Creep loading at 28 days, 0.40fcu
Shrinkage at 20C, 55% RH
PC
PLC
LS15
LS25
LS35
LS45
concrete mixes with 310 kg/m3 cement content and

0.60 w/c ratio, containing up to 45% LS were used.
The creep and shrinkage strains and the 28-day
cube strength of (20C water-cured) concrete, are
given in Table 3. Whilst the differences in creep
strain between PC and PLC concretes were small
and may be considered to fall within the accuracy
of the test method, the general trend for drying
shrinkage was a reduction with increasing LS
content. The reduction in shrinkage strain between PC and PLC concrete with 15% LS was
50 106 and 45% LS was approximately
100 106.
Both of these properties are influenced by the
volume stability of the paste and restraining effects of the aggregates. The results of the current
study suggest that the net effect of LS on hydrate
volume and its role as a filler gives similar or reduced volume changes compared to PC concrete.
match the strength of Type II/B-L cement concrete (LS35) with that of PC concrete.
Using the same approach, the adjustment required in w/c ratio to compensate for the effect of
5C water and variable moist curing conditions,
and to achieve strength equivalent to the corresponding 20C water cured mixes at 28 days, was
determined. The multiplication factors for w/c ratio are given in Table 4 and, as indicated, greater
adjustments were required for concretes with reduced moist curing than those cured at 5C in water. The results show that for a given moist curing
duration, the adjustment to the w/c ratio remained
essentially the same for both PC and PLC concrete,
while at the lower temperature, this reduced with
increasing LS content in concrete.
5 Proportioning equal strength PLC concrete
6 Durability performance
The results show that the LS content and initial

curing conditions have an effect on concrete
strength. The next phase of the study was therefore concerned with establishing means of producing PLC concrete of a particular strength.
Using 28-day strength results of 20C water
cured concrete, families of strength versus w/c
ratio curves for a range of LS contents were
developed as shown in Fig. 1c. An example indicating the adjustments required for 35 N/mm2
concrete with LS contents of up to 35% by mass
of cement is illustrated in the figure. By reducing
w/c ratio from 0.67 to 0.46, it was possible to
6.1 Initial surface absorption

The initial surface absorption test results of concrete at 10 min (ISAT-10) were obtained using
150 mm oven dried (after 28 days) cube specimens, following the method described in BS 1881208 [22]. Both 28 day water curing at 20C and
various periods of moist/air curing at 20C were
used in these tests.
The relationships between ISAT-10 and w/c
ratio are shown plotted in Fig. 3a. As expected, for
both PC and PLC concretes ISAT-10 improved as
the w/c ratio of the mix decreased. However, unlike
466
200
200
a)
180
180
PC
160
140
LS25
120
120
LS35
LS45
100
100
80
80
60
60
40
40
20
0.4
200
20
0.5
Cement content = 310 kg/m

w/c ratio = 0.60
160
LS15
140
ISAT-10, ml/m/sec x 10-2
b)
Curing: 20C water:
0.6
W/C RATIO
c)
0.7
0.8
5
10
15
20
25
30
PERIOD OF MOIST CURING, days
Curing: 20C water:
180
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80

Fig. 3 (a) Relationship between ISAT-10 and w/c ratio, (b) effect of moist curing period on ISAT-10 and (c) ISAT-10
against 28-day cube strength of PC and PLC concretes
in previous work [23] examining absorptivity,

similar trends were generally observed across the
range of w/c ratios tested. The data indicate slight
improvements in initial surface absorption for
LS15 concrete compared to that of PC, while similar results were obtained between the two for
LS25. This is likely to be due to the refinement of
the concrete microstructure and filler effect of LS
at these levels and broadly agrees with oxygen
permeability data reported to this level elsewhere
[4]. Whilst the ISAT-10 values of LS25 mixes were
found to be similar to corresponding PC mixes,

thereafter, values increased progressively with LS
content, indicating higher absorption. These results mirror those of strength, although in the case
of absorption, similar performance was obtained to
a slightly higher LS level. Similar trends were observed for concrete mixes cured under variable
moisture conditions prior to testing, as shown in
Fig. 3b. In addition, the effect of LS content on
ISAT-10 was found to be greater with reducing
period of moist curing.
b)
20 WEEK CARBONATION DEPTH, mm
Accelerated Test
a)
467
60
Exposure to Accelerated Environment
(4.0% CO2 for 20 weeks)
50
PC
LS15
40
LS25
LS35
30
LS45
20
10
0
10
20
30
40 50
60
Fig. 4 Comparison of carbonation resistance of PC and PLC concretes at equivalent (a) w/c ratio (CEN exposure) and (b)
28-day cube strength (accelerated exposure) (curing; 20C water)
The ISAT-10 results of concrete with various

LS contents are shown plotted against the
corresponding 28-day cube strengths in Fig. 3c. At
a given strength, a slight improvement in surface
absorption was evident for concrete containing up
to 25% LS (Type II/B-L) compared to PC concrete. Beyond this, similar, or slightly higher values were obtained.
6.2 Carbonation resistance
Carbonation tests were carried out on (i)
100 100 500 mm prisms using the draft
CEN method [24] (i.e. storage in a 0.035% CO2
environment at 20C, 65% RH) and (ii) 100 mm
cubes, following an accelerated test method [25]
(i.e. storage in an enriched 4% CO2 environment
at 20C, 65% RH). In both cases, carbonation
depth was measured by periodically splitting test
specimens and spraying the exposed surface with
phenolphthalein indicator solution. Measurements were made to 1 year and 20 weeks for
CEN and accelerated tests, respectively.
The CEN test results, shown in Fig. 4a indicate similar trends over the range of w/c ratios,
and for cement with up to 15% LS there was
no discernable influence on carbonation resistance of concrete at one year exposure. The
maximum difference observed between PC and
LS 35 (PLC, type II/B-L) concretes at a given

w/c ratio was 5.0 mm, suggesting this could be
an issue for vulnerable structures of very long
(e.g. 120 year) design lives. The carbonation
resistance of both PC and PLC concretes
increased with strength, Fig. 4b, and, while the
curves generally followed a similar relationship,
they were slightly offset.
A comparison between the CEN and accelerated test data gave good agreement between
these and suggests that the accelerated test
method can provide an indication of likely longterm carbonation resistance of PC and PLC concretes exposed to a normal CO2 environment,
within 20 weeks.
The carbonation process is influenced by both
concrete microstructure and chemical reactions
of carbonic acid with the alkaline constituents
and therefore the trends noted reflect the effects of changing PC and LS contents on these.
The data show general agreement with related
work in terms of the effect of LS level on the
property at equal w/c ratio and of the relationship with compressive strength [4, 17, 26].
6.3 Chloride diffusion
Chloride diffusion was measured using an accelerated method, on concrete slices (100 mm
468
CHLORIDE DIFFUSION (D), x 10-11 m/s
80
80
a)
b)
PC
LS15
LS25
60
60
LS35
LS45
40
40
20
20
0
0.40
0.45
0.50 0.55 0.60

W/C RATIO
0.65
0.70
20
40
60
80
Fig. 5 Relationship between chloride diffusion and (a) w/c ratio and (b) 28-day cube strength of PC and PLC concretes
(curing; 20C water)
25 mm thick), in a two-compartment cell with a

chloride differential and potential difference
(7.5 V) across the assembly [27]. The output from
these tests is a chloride diffusion index (D).
The results in Fig. 5a indicate reductions in
chloride diffusion index with reducing w/c ratio
for all test concretes. Differences in D of concrete up to 15% LS, compared to PC concrete
were relatively minor and increased slightly with
w/c ratio. For LS contents beyond this level,
there was a progressive increase in D, with LS
content.
In order to further examine the effect of LS
content, the results are shown plotted against 28day strength of the concrete mixes in Fig. 5b. For
a given strength, there was little or no difference
between PC and PLC concrete suggesting comparable chloride resistance and service life potential in chloride containing environments for
these concretes.
The main factors controlling chloride diffusion
in concrete are the microstructure and chloride
binding capacity. Related work [28, 29] refers to
the former of these factors, although it is likely
that effects of LS content on both have an
influence, and it appears that it is at levels
beyond around 15% LS that performance may
be noticeably affected.
6.4 Freezethaw scaling

The freezethaw scaling was measured using the
draft CEN/TC51: slab test method (freezing and
thawing in water) [30]. Both PC and PLC concrete
mixes with (w/c ratio 0.58, 5.0% air content) and
without air-entrainment (w/c ratios 0.52 and 0.65),
were tested. Deterioration was monitored by collecting and weighing scaled material from the exposed concrete surface at regular intervals up to 56
freeze/thaw cycles (days).
The mass of scaled material obtained from
both types of concrete after 56 cycles are given in
Table 5. The results indicate between the two w/c
ratios that this was approximately halved for all
concretes. The inclusion of LS did not affect the
freeze/thaw resistance of air-entrained concrete,
although scaling increased with LS content in
non-air entrained concrete mixes, compared to
PC concrete, by between 3 and 4 times at 45%
LS. The mass of scaled material, however, was
less than 1.0 kg/m2 for all PC and PLC concretes
by 56 cycles.
Freeze/thaw resistance is influenced by the
strength of concrete and pore space for relief of
pressure build-up associated with the freezing
process. The results are consistent with those
reported in the literature at lower LS levels,
469
Table 5 Mass of scaled-off material (after 56 freeze/thaw

cycles) for PC and PLC concrete mixes
at the University of Dundee [34]. Concrete mixes,

with w/c ratio 0.65 and 0.52, cured in water at
20C and the former partially in air (7 days covered with plastic sheeting then air at 20C, 55%
RH), were tested.
As with other durability properties, abrasion
resistance, Fig. 6a, was not greatly affected with
15% LS, but with increasing LS content, abrasion
depth was found to become gradually higher than
the corresponding PC concrete. A similar effect
was noted with air curing. However, whilst abrasion increased with this curing, compared to water
curing, this effect reduced with increasing LS
content.
The abrasion test results are compared with the
28-day strength for these concretes in Fig. 6b.
This shows a single relationship for this property
between concretes, indicating that the use of PLC
does not affect the abrasion resistance of concrete
at a given strength.
Surface scalea, kg/m2
Mix
Water/cement ratio (cement content, kg/m3)
PC
PLC
LS15
LS25
LS35
LS45
Non-air-entrainedb
Air-entrainedb
0.52 (355)
0.65 (285)
0.58 (285*)
0.15
0.24
0.05
0.18
0.22
0.29
0.44
0.31
0.43
0.60
0.91
0.04
0.05
0.05
0.06
Exposure cycle (+20C to 20C over 24 h)
Water cured at 20C to 7 days/air cured at 20C/55% RH

until testing
*5.0% air-entrained
which indicate that LS concretes gave behaviour

corresponding to a PC concrete of the same
strength [31], or else similar (to PC concrete) or
satisfactory performance when they were airentrained [17, 32].
7 LS contribution to concrete properties
6.5 Abrasion resistance

Having established that the use of PLC containing LS above 15% has an effect on concrete
performance, the study examined the contribution LS makes to the strength and durability of
concrete. This was carried out by comparing the
Abrasion resistance was assessed using an accelerated abrasion test machine, originally designed
at the Cement and Concrete Association [33]
(now British Cement Association) and modified
4
a)
b)
PC
ABRASION DEPTH, mm
LS15
LS25
LS35
Curing: 7 days in plastic bag,

then in air at 20C,, 55% RH
LS45
2
2
Curing: 20C water
1
Cement content = 285 kg/m
w/c ratio = 0.65
0
10
20
30
LS CONTENT, %
40
Curing: 20C water

50
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Fig. 6 (a) Effect of LS content on abrasion depth and (b) relationship between abrasion depth and 28-day cube strength of
PC and PLC concretes
470
results, with the corresponding water/PC ratio as

shown in Figs. 7 and 8.
The relationships between cube strength and
water/PC ratio in Fig. 7, show that LS makes a
slight contribution, as indicated by the displacement of PC and PLC concrete trend lines at the
15 to 25% LS level. For concrete with LS contents
above 25%, contribution to strength appeared to
be minimal.
Figure 8a shows that LS gave minor improvements to near surface absorption of concrete up
to 25%. At 35 and 45% LS, there appeared to be
no contribution by LS. LS content, generally had
little or no effect on carbonation resistance,
chloride diffusion or abrasion resistance of concrete, as shown in Fig. 8bd, respectively. This
suggests that the physical effects of LS, as noted
in the strength and ISAT results, have less of an
influence on the other properties.
8 Practical implications
The results from the study are of direct relevance
to engineers specifying cements to BS EN 197-1,
ie up to an LS level of 35%.
For engineering properties, PLC reduced the
cube strength of concrete and this effect increased
with LS content. Typical adjustments to the w/c
ratio necessary to account for this are described.
The effects of limited moist or low temperature
curing on strength were no greater for PLC
concrete than PC. The LS content effect was

reflected in both flexural strength and modulus of
elasticity, which gave corresponding reductions,
although for the latter all concretes were within
the BS 8110-2 range. Drying shrinkage and creep
strains generally were within a narrow band for
all test concretes, irrespective of LS content, at a
given w/c ratio.
The impact of LS on the permeation and
durability properties of concrete was found to
depend on the LS level, the w/c ratio of concrete, the curing conditions and the aspect of
performance being considered.
When the results were compared with cube
strength,
essentially
similar
relationships
between PC and PLC concrete were found for
carbonation resistance (minor deviation for
accelerated test) chloride diffusion, freeze/thaw
scaling and abrasion resistance. ISAT-10 gave
improved or similar values for PLC concrete up
to 35% LS on this basis. Significant improvements in behaviour for freeze/thaw scaling of PC
and PLC concretes could be achieved by the use
of air-entrainment.
The results highlight the role of strength for
specifying durability of different cement type
concretes, as noted previously [35] and suitability
of LS for a range of applications.
9 Conclusions
1.
CUBE STRENGTH, N/mm
80
70
PC
LS15
60
365 days
50
LS25
LS35
40
28 days
LS45
30
20
2.
2 days
10
0
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.0
1.2
W/PC RATIO
1.4
1.6
Fig. 7 Relationship between cube strength and water/PC

ratio of PC and PLC concretes (curing; 20C water)
At equal w/c ratio, with equal cement and

water contents, the strength of concrete mixes
was found to decrease with increasing LS
content, although differences between LS15
and PC concrete were minimal. The adjustment to the water/cement ratio of PLC concrete necessary to match the strength of PC
concrete at a cube strength of 35 N/mm2 was
in the region of 0.08 for each 10% LS added
above the 15% level (water curing at 20C).
The results of engineering property tests for
flexural strength and modulus of elasticity
indicated poorer performance with increasing
LS content in concrete at equal w/c ratio.
These reflected the effects of LS on cube
strength. For drying shrinkage and creep,
there was little difference between PC and
3.
471
PLC concretes at a given w/c ratio or with LS

content.
Comparisons of permeation and durability
properties (excluding airentrained concrete
under freeze/thaw scaling) at equal w/c ratio
generally indicated enhanced or similar
properties for the former up to 25% LS and
poorer performance thereafter. For the latter,
minor effects were generally noted up to 15%
4.
LS, but a gradual depletion in performance

with increasing LS in concrete thereafter.
The test results gave improved initial surface
absorption for concretes containing up to
25% LS, than corresponding PC concrete
when comparisons were made with cube
strength. Beyond this LS level, similar (LS35)
or slightly poorer performance (LS45) was
obtained for PLC concrete.
80
140
a) Initial surface absorption

DIFFUSION COEFFICIENT, m/s x 10 -11
ISAT-10, ml/m/s x 10 -2
120
b) Chloride diffusion
PC
LS15
LS25
LS35
100
LS45
80
60
40
20
0.4
0.8
1.2
60
40
20
0
1.6
0.4
W/PC RATIO
60
0.8
1.2
1.6
c) Carbonation resistance
d) Abrasion resistance
ABRASION DEPTH, mm
CARBONATION DEPTH, mm
50
40
30
20
10
0
0.4
0.8
1.2
1.
1.6
0
0.4
0.8
1.2
1.6
W/PC RATIO
Fig. 8 Relationship between water/PC ratio and (a) initial surface absorption, (b) chloride diffusion, (c) carbonation
resistance and (d) abrasion resistance of PC and PLC concretes (curing; 20C water)
472
5.
Carbonation resistance (minor deviation for

accelerated test) chloride diffusion, freeze/
thaw scaling and abrasion resistance for both
PC and PLC concretes were similar when
compared against cube strength over the LS
range tested. The use of air-entrainment gave
similar and very good freeze/thaw scaling
resistance for all test concretes.
Acknowledgements The authors would like to acknowledge the Department of the Environment, Transport and
the Regions (as known previously) and the Industrial
Partners for funding the reported work. Acknowledgement is also given to the significant contributions made by
the representatives of these organisations during the research, namely Messrs C.M. Adkins (Rugby Cement),
A.H. Ashbridge (ECC International Ltd), S.B. Desai
(Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions), T.A. Harrison (Quarry Products Association), S.
Kelham (Blue Circle Industries PLC) and P. Livesey
(Castle Cement Ltd).
References
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criteria for common cements. London
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Portland Cement, A State-of-the-Art Review, RP118.
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manufacture and use of Portland limestone cement,
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Cabrera O (2001) Engineering properties and durability of concrete made with Portland limestone cement, ACI SP 202. American Concrete Institute, pp
431450
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composition, specifications and conformity criteria
common cements, London
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fines for use with Portland Cement, London
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Aggregates for Concrete, London
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admixtures for concrete, mortar and grout concrete
admixtures, definitions, requirements, conformity
marking and labelling, London
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ACI SP 186. American Concrete Institute, pp 567
580
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Testing of concrete recommendations for the determination of the initial surface absorption of concrete,
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addition of limestone powder. Mag Concrete Res
48(175):131137
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Materials and Structures (2007) 40:459473

Evaluation of Portland limestone cements for use in

Abstract The paper describes a study carried out

test concretes followed single relationships with

Resume Larticle decrit une etude ayant pour objet

Materials and Structures (2007) 40:459473

pour le PC et les melanges de beton de PLC. On

and carried out in collaboration with industrial

Keywords Limestone fines Portland limestone

There is general agreement in the literature [4, 5]

Materials and Structures (2007) 40:459473

adjusted in each mix to maintain yield. For the

Table 1 Main properties of cement constituents and Portland limestone cements

Particle density, kg/m3

Materials and Structures (2007) 40:459473

for cube strength development were cured in five

4.1 Strength development

CUBE STRENGTH, N/mm

28-DAY CUBE STRENGTH, N/mm

Materials and Structures (2007) 40:459473

4.1.1 Effect of LS content

the minor reactive contribution of LS [17] and

Figure 1a shows, as a typical example, the

4.1.2 Effect of curing

Cube strength, N/mm2

Water storage temperature

(b) Duration of water curing*

Cube strength, N/mm2

Period of water curing, days

Materials and Structures (2007) 40:459473

moisture conditions for the specimens. The

occurred for PLC concrete, which increased with

4.2 Flexural strength and modulus of elasticity

4.3 Creep and drying shrinkage

The flexural strength and modulus of elasticity of

Materials and Structures (2007) 40:459473

Table 3 Comparison of 90 day deformation properties of

Table 4 Correction factors for w/c ratio to achieve

w/c Multiplication factor

LS15 LS25 LS35 LS45

Moist cured/then air at 20C,

Cube strengtha, N/mm2

Duration of moist curing

28 days, 20C water cured

Creep loading at 28 days, 0.40fcu

Shrinkage at 20C, 55% RH

concrete mixes with 310 kg/m3 cement content and

5 Proportioning equal strength PLC concrete

The results show that the LS content and initial

6.1 Initial surface absorption

Materials and Structures (2007) 40:459473

Cement content = 310 kg/m

ISAT-10, ml/m/sec x 10-2

Curing: 20C water:

Curing: 20C water:

28-DAY CUBE STRENGTH, N/mm

in previous work [23] examining absorptivity,

found to be similar to corresponding PC mixes,

Materials and Structures (2007) 40:459473

The ISAT-10 results of concrete with various

LS 35 (PLC, type II/B-L) concretes at a given

Materials and Structures (2007) 40:459473

CHLORIDE DIFFUSION (D), x 10-11 m/s