Mitigation of alkali-silica reaction by limestone calcined clay cement (LC3)

The study aims to investigate the influence of limestone calcined clay cement (LC3) on the alkali-silica reaction (ASR). Kinetics and sequence of ASR formation were monitored using the model reactant method. Accelerated mortar bar test (AMBT) was also conducted to evaluate the effect LC3 in the ASR expansion. 30 wt% replacement by flash calcined clay and limestone in binder reduced the mortar expansion lower than the limit of Australian Standard. From the model reactant method, the additional calcium rich phases in LC3 model reactant system seem to delay the ASR gel formation or produce high Ca/Si ASR products, relatively rigid C-S-H and C-A-S-H that has less expansive capability. The current results reveal the possibility to utilize model reactant experiments to monitor the formation sequence of ASR gels with the presence of calcined clay and limestone due to the consistent results observed between model reactant experiments and real LC3-based specimens.