Low carbon cement: Durability performance assessment with laboratory and site tests

Abstract

As part of the validation procedures for low carbon cement (LCC), with only 50% clinker content, its durability performance will be established by exposing specimens and large scale elements to a natural marine environment in the N. coast of Cuba. Before subjecting the elements to the exposure site, it was decided to assess their potential durability by the non-destructive measurement of the coefficient of air-permeability kT (Swiss Standard SIA 262/1:2013) and cover depth. Preliminary trials were run on cast specimens and directly on precast elements industrially produced with mixes of equivalent strength, prepared with the LCC and a conventional OPC. Further, kT measurements were made after the elements have been at the exposure site for almost one year. The kT results are encouraging in terms of the potential durability of LCC concretes and confirm the importance of the quality of the execution on the performance of full scale elements as well as the need of in situ measurements.