Title:
Properties of Blended Binder Concrete Made with US Regional Type IL and IP Cements, Calcined Clay, and Limestone Powder (Prepublished)
Author(s):
Dayou Luo, Maria Juenger, Kimberly Kurtis, Kyle Riding, Peter Taylor, Kejin Wang
Publication:
Materials Journal
Volume:
Issue:
Appears on pages(s):
Keywords:
blended cements; calcined clay; freeze-thaw; fresh concrete; limestone powder; sorptivity; strength; surface resistivity
DOI:
10.14359/51751788
Date:
6/5/2026
Abstract:
Use of blended cement, where portland cement is substituted by supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs), represents a key strategy for enhancing concrete sustainability and durability. This study examined fresh, mechanical, and durability properties of blended binder concrete produced with U.S. regional calcined clays and Type IL and IP cements, with and without additional limestone powder and gypsum, called CCIL blends. All concrete mixtures studied had nearly the same proportions but different CCIL blends. Most blends contained 30% calcined clay by weight of total binder, except one with 20% calcined clay due to the consideration of the binder flowability. The results indicate that despite demanding more superplasticizer to reach a designed slump, all CCIL binder concrete mixtures studied achieved compressive, splitting tensile, and flexural strengths that were comparable to or higher than concrete mixtures with neat IL cement, especially at the later ages (after 28 days). All tested CCIL binder concrete mixtures displayed increased surface resistivity, reduced initial sorptivity, and comparable freeze-thaw (FT) resistance, suggesting that the CCIL blends are well-suited for sustainable and long-lasting infrastructure. This study supports the design of robust and durable concrete systems compatible with diverse raw materials, facilitating the wider adoption of emerging cement technologies.