Fresh and Mechanical Properties of Limestone Calcined Clay Cement (LC3) using Local Clay with Clinker Content below 50%

Authors

  • Edwin Mihardja Petra Christian University
  • Antoni Petra Christian University
  • Elbert G. Riady Petra Christian University
  • Samuel V. Suhendro Petra Christian University
  • Tri E. Susanto Research and Development Division Semen Indonesia
  • Rizky T. Akbar Research and Development Division Semen Indonesia
  • Bangkit Tegar T. Anuraga Research and Development Division Semen Indonesia
  • Djwantoro Hardjito Petra Christian University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.9744/ced.28.1.120-129

Keywords:

Limestone Calcined Clay Cement (LC3), Low Carbon Cement (LCC), local clay, low clinker, compressive strength

Abstract

This study examined the performance of limestone calcined clay cement (LC3) produced with Indonesian clays containing low–medium kaolinite (20–30%) and clinker contents below 50%. Material characterization was carried out using XRF, XRD, and particle size analysis, followed by evaluation of fresh and mechanical properties. LC3 mixtures incorporating local clays exhibited good workability and required less superplasticizer than metakaolin-based controls, indicating favourable fresh behaviour despite reduced clinker content. A notable strength reduction was observed when clinker content dropped below 35%, reflecting insufficient portlandite required for pozzolanic reactions. The addition or substitution of Ca(OH)₂ did not improve strength and hindered calcined clay reactivity due to elevated pH level (12.5–13.5). Microstructural analysis confirmed that mixtures with higher kaolinite and clinker contents produced denser hydration products. The results demonstrated that Indonesian clays are suitable for LC3 development, with promising fresh properties and microstructural behaviour supporting further optimization and future durability studies.

References

Al-Fakih, A., Al-Shugaa, Al-Osta, M.A, and Thomas, B.S., Mechanical, Environmental, and Economic Performance of Engineered Cementitious Composite Incorporated Limestone Calcined Clay Cement: A review, Journal of Building Engineering, 79, 2023, pp 1-18, doi: 10.1016/j.jobe.2023.107901.

Barbhuiya, S, Nepal, J., and Das, B.B, Properties, Compatibility, Environmental Benefits and Future Directions of Limestone Calcined Clay Cement (LC3) Concrete: A Review, Journal of Building Engineering, 79, 2023, pp 1-26, doi: 10.1016/j.jobe.2023.107794.

Scrivener, K., Martirena, F., Bishnoi, S., and Maity, S., Calcined Clay Limestone Cements (LC3), Cement and Concrete Research, 114, 2018, pp. 49–56, doi: 10.1016/j.cemconres.2017.08.017.

Wattimena, O.K., Antoni, A., and Hardjito, D., Long-term Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of Concrete Utilizing Self-Cementing Fly Ash as A Sole Binder Material, Civil Engineering Dimension, 25(2), 2023, pp. 106–114, doi: 10.9744/ced.25.2.106-114.

Sim, J. and Lee, K.H., Sustainable Concrete Technology, Civil Engineering Dimension, 17(3), 2015, pp. 158-165, doi: 10.9744/CED.

Overmann, S., Vollpracht, A., and Matschei, T., Reactivity of Calcined Clays as SCM-A Review, Materials, 17(2), 2024, pp. 1-24, doi: 10.3390/ma17020312.

Matschei, T., Lothenbach, B., and Glasser, F.P., The Role of Calcium Carbonate in Cement Hydration, Cement and Concrete Research, 37(4), 2007, pp. 551–558, doi: 10.1016/j.cemconres.2006.10.013.

Tironi, A., Scian, A.N., and Irassar, E.F., Blended Cements with Limestone Filler and Kaolinitic Calcined Clay: Filler and Pozzolanic Effects, Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, 29(9), 2017, pp. 1-8, doi: 10.1061/(ASCE).

Shao, Z., Cao, M., and Zheng, X., Limestone Particle Sizes and Sulfate Impact on the Early Hydration of Limestone Calcined Clay Cement, Journal of Building Engineering, 97, 2024, pp. 1-20, doi: 10.1016/j.jobe.2024.110848.

Ruan, Y., Jamil, T., Hu, C., Gautam, B.P., and Yu, J., Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Sustainable Cementitious Materials with Ultra-High Substitution level of Calcined Clay and Limestone Powder, Construction and Building Materials, 314, 2022, pp. 1-8, doi: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.125416.

Zhang, W., Sun, J., Zhang, N., Hou, G., Jiang, R., Li, W., and Yu, Z., Investigating the Potential of the Limestone Calcined Clay Cement with Cement Content Below 50 wt%: Hydration Properties and Environmental Impact Analysis, Construction and Building Materials, 411, 2024, pp. 1-15, doi: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.134264.

Zunino, F., Martirena Hernandez, J.F., and Scrivener, K., Limestone Calcined Clay Cements (LC3), ACI Materials Journal, 118(3), 2021, pp. 49-60, doi: 10.14359/51730422

Sun, J., Zunino, F., and Scrivener, K., Hydration and Phase Assemblage of Limestone Calcined Clay Cements (LC3) with Clinker Content Below 50%, Cement and Concrete. Research, 177, 2024, pp. 1-13, doi: 10.1016/j.cemconres.2023.107417.

Gingele, F.X., De Deckker, P., and Hillenbrand, C.D., Clay Mineral Distribution in Surface Sediments between Indonesia and NW Australia — Source and Transport by Ocean Currents, Marine Geology, 179(3), 2001, pp. 135-146, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0025-3227(01)00194-3.

Antoni, A., Kuncoro, A., Fernaldy, I., Davian, M., Susanto, T.E., and Hardjito, D., Potential of Local Clay for the Development of Limestone Calcined Clay Cement in East Java, The Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Green Civil and Environmental. Engineering, Denpasar, Indonesia, August 8-10, 2023, pp. 1-10, doi: 10.1051/e3sconf/202344501035.

Pillay, D.L., Olalusi, O.B., Kiliswa, M.W., Awoyera, P.O., Kolawole, J.T., and Babafemi, A.J., Engineering Performance of Metakaolin Based Concrete, Cleaner Engineering and Technology, 6, 2022, pp. 1-12, doi: 10.1016/j.clet.2021.100383.

Kumar, R., Singh, R., and Patel, M., Effect of Metakaolin on Mechanical Characteristics of the Mortar and Concrete: A Critical Review, Materials Today: Proceedings, 93, 2023, pp. 315–319, doi: 10.1016/j.matpr.2023.07.262.

ASTM C778-21, Specification for Standard Sand, ASTM International, 2021, doi: 10.1520/C0778-21.

ASTM C187-23, Test Method for Amount of Water Required for Normal Consistency of Hydraulic Cement Paste, ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, 2023.

ASTM C191-21, Test Methods for Time of Setting of Hydraulic Cement by Vicat Needle, ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, 2021.

ASTM C109M-20, Test Method for Compressive Strength of Hydraulic Cement Mortars (Using 2-in. or [50-mm] cube specimens), ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, 2020.

ASTM C118-17, Test Method for Density of Hydraulic Cement, ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, 2017.

ASTM C618-19, Standard Specification for Coal Fly Ash and Raw and Calcined Natural Pozzolan for Use in Concrete, ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, 2019.

Zunino, F. and Scrivener, K., Microstructural Developments of Limestone Calcined Clay Cement (LC3) Pastes after Long-term (3 years) Hydration, Cement and Concrete. Research, 153, 2022, pp. 1-13, doi: 10.1016/j.cemconres.2021.106693.

Zunino, F. and Scrivener, K., Influence of Kaolinite Content, Limestone Particle Size and Mixture Design on Early-Age Properties of Limestone Calcined Clay Cements (LC3), Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Calcined Clays for Sustainable Concrete, New Delhi, India, October 15-17, 2019, pp. 331–337, doi: 10.1007/978-981-15-2806-4_39.

Boakye, K. and Khorami, M., Performance of Calcined Impure Kaolinitic Clay as a Partial Substitute for Portland Cement Concrete: A Review, Journal of Composites Science, 9(4), 2025, pp. 1-24, doi: 10.3390/jcs9040145.

Hernández-Carrillo, G., Durán-Herrera, A., and Tagnit-Hamou, A., Effect of Limestone and Quartz Fillers in UHPC with Calcined Clay, Materials, 15(21), 2022, pp. 1-19, doi: 10.3390/ma15217711.

Weise, K., Ukrainczyk, N., and Koenders, E., Pozzolanic Reactions of Metakaolin with Calcium Hydroxide: Review on Hydrate Phase Formations and Effect of Alkali Hydroxides, Carbonates and Sulfates, Material and Design, 231, 2023, pp. 1-23, doi: 10.1016/j.matdes.2023.112062.

Deng, G., He, Y., Lu, L., and Hu, S., The Effect of Activators on the Dissolution Characteristics and Occurrence State of Aluminum of Alkali-Activated Metakaolin, Construction and. Building Materials, 235, 2020, pp. 1-7, doi: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.117451.

Santacruz, I., De La Torre, A., Alvarez-Pinazo, G., Cabeza, A., Cuesta, A., Sanz, J., and Aranda, M.A.G., Structure of Stratlingite and Effect of Hydration Methodology on Microstructure, Advances in Cement Research, 28(1), 2015, pp. 13–22, doi: 10.1680/adcr.14.00104.

Downloads

Published

2026-03-01

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Fresh and Mechanical Properties of Limestone Calcined Clay Cement (LC3) using Local Clay with Clinker Content below 50%. (2026). Civil Engineering Dimension, 28(1), 120-129. https://doi.org/10.9744/ced.28.1.120-129

Most read articles by the same author(s)