LIMESTONE CALCINED CLAY CEMENT (LC3)

This study investigates the properties of limestone calcined clay cement (LC3) with a water/cement ratio of 0.5 and cement/sand ratio of 1:2.75 produced using clay sourced from Uzebba, Nigeria. The kaolinitic Uzebba clay was calcined at 600°C, 700°C and 800°C to activate it's pozzolanic properties. Mortar cubes were cast and cured in lime water and by air. A total of 120 mortar cubes were prepared for compressive strength testing and water absorption test. For compressive test, 9 cubes were mixed and cured in lime water and air serving as the control, 27 cubes were mixed for LC 3 calcined at 600°C, 700°C and 800°C for 30% and 40% replacement and cured in lime water and by air. Additionally, this study utilized other tests like sieve analysis of fine aggregate, standard consistency test, setting time of cement and bleeding tests. The average compressive strength for 30% and 40% mortar cubes cured in lime water ranged from 9.44N/mm2 - 17.12N/mm2 and 7.47N/mm2 - 12.16N/mm2 respectively, while for 30% cured in air ranged from 5.70N/mm2 - 15.91N/mm2 For water absorption test, 12 cubes were mixed and cured in lime water to determine the amount of water absorbed by the cubes for the control and replacement.