Portland Limestone Cement
Project Information
Project Abstract:
Blended cements are increasingly being used in the concrete industry. Portland limestone cement (PLC), which incorporates more limestone and less clinker in its composition, is one such blended cement and is the most consumed cement in the United States. However, the performance of blended cements is still in question by many infrastructure owners and concrete producers. While the minimum calcium carbonate content in limestone for manufacturing PLC should be 70%, the impact of limestone purity on the reactivity of the final product remains poorly understood. The effects of clinker phases, cement fineness, limestone quantity, and limestone purity on PLC’s reactivity may be interrelated. The specific impact of physical and chemical factors on PLC reactivity has not previously been measured. FHWA is in a unique position to identify variability in PLCs across the United States and investigate the performance of various blended cement types within concrete.
Project Status:
Active
Project Funding Amount (Contract Award Amount):
$300,000.00
Start Date:
End Date:
Public Access Plan:
Yes
Laboratory:
Grant/Contract ID:
- 693JJ323D000008
FHWA Activity:
- Analysis, Modeling, and Simulation
Project Outputs:
Document describing the background, history, engineering principles, anecdotal challenges, and best practices of PLC. Documents describing the variability of PLCs from across the Nation, the potential impacts of this variability on concrete performance, and updated Bogue equations for use with PLCs.
Project Outcomes/Impact:
- Identify the variability of PLCs from across the country, including chemical and physical properties.
- Quantify the reactivity of PLCs from across the country.
- Identify the correlation between PLC characteristics.
AMRP = Annual Modal Research Plan
Contact Information
First Name:
Michelle
Middle Initial:
A.
Last Name:
Cooper
Phone Number:
202-493-3691
Email Address:
Team:
Infrastructure Materials Team
Office:
Office of Infrastructure Research and Development
Office Code:
HRDI-10
Management Organizations
Sponsor Organization
Organization Role:
Sponsor Organization
Organization:
Federal Highway Administration: Office of Research, Development, and Technology - Office of Infrastructure Research and Development
Contact Role:
Contract Office Representative
Contact:
Managing Organization
Organization Role:
Sponsor Organization
Organization:
Federal Highway Administration: Office of Research, Development, and Technology - Office of Infrastructure Research and Development
Contact Role:
Contract Office Representative
Contact:
Deliverables
Links to Project Reports: