Autogenous and Chemical Shrinkage of Limestone Calcined Clay Cement (LC3) Pastes

Canda, E; San Nicolas, R; Rasekh, H; Castel, A

Autogenous and Chemical Shrinkage of Limestone Calcined Clay Cement (LC3) Pastes

Canda, E

San Nicolas, R Rasekh, H

Castel, A

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Publisher:: MDPI
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Buildings, 2025, 15, (22)
Issue Date:: 2025-11-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Canda, E https://orcid.org/0009-0008-3276-2399
dc.contributor.author	San Nicolas, R
dc.contributor.author	Rasekh, H https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0760-2920
dc.contributor.author	Castel, A https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1619-9643
dc.date.accessioned	2026-01-23T06:23:52Z
dc.date.available	2026-01-23T06:23:52Z
dc.date.issued	2025-11-01
dc.identifier.citation	Buildings, 2025, 15, (22)
dc.identifier.issn	2075-5309
dc.identifier.issn	2075-5309
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/192307
dc.description.abstract	This study investigated the chemical and autogenous shrinkage behaviour of limestone calcined clay cement (LC<sup>3</sup>) pastes incorporating calcined clays sourced from Australia, France, and India. Hydration development and microstructural evolution were examined using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and pore-size distribution analysis. Results showed that LC<sup>3</sup> mixes hydration accelerates during early phases, with the main silicate hydration peak appearing more prominently than that in the GP and FA reference pastes, indicating increased nucleation and growth of hydration products due to the limestone filler effect. LC<sup>3</sup> pastes exhibited higher autogenous shrinkage overtime, strongly influenced by calcined clay reactivity and particle fineness. A clear correlation was observed between pore refinement and autogenous deformation during the early phases (7 days): pastes with a greater volume of fine pores showed higher early-age autogenous shrinkage during the first 7 days of hydration. In contrast, the chemical shrinkage of LC<sup>3</sup> mixes was comparable to that of the GP and FA systems at early ages (≤7 days) but became lower after 28 days, attributed to both the matrix densification and additional nucleation sites provided by the limestone. Overall, LC<sup>3</sup> reduces long-term chemical shrinkage and densifies the microstructure; however, the refined pore structure and increased internal water demand lead to higher autogenous shrinkage. These findings demonstrate a direct link between hydration-driven microstructural evolution (phase formation and pore refinement) and the resulting shrinkage behaviour.
dc.language	English
dc.publisher	MDPI
dc.relation.ispartof	Buildings
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.3390/buildings15224089
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject	1201 Architecture, 1202 Building, 1203 Design Practice and Management
dc.subject.classification	3301 Architecture
dc.subject.classification	3302 Building
dc.subject.classification	4005 Civil engineering
dc.title	Autogenous and Chemical Shrinkage of Limestone Calcined Clay Cement (LC3) Pastes
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	15
utslib.for	1201 Architecture
utslib.for	1202 Building
utslib.for	1203 Design Practice and Management
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology/School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology/School of Professional Practice and Leadership
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/UTS Groups
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/UTS Groups/Transport Research Centre (TRC)
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/UTS Groups/The Trustworthy Digital Society
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.rights.license	This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
dc.date.updated	2026-01-23T06:23:50Z
pubs.issue	22
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	15
utslib.citation.issue	22

Abstract:

This study investigated the chemical and autogenous shrinkage behaviour of limestone calcined clay cement (LC³) pastes incorporating calcined clays sourced from Australia, France, and India. Hydration development and microstructural evolution were examined using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and pore-size distribution analysis. Results showed that LC³ mixes hydration accelerates during early phases, with the main silicate hydration peak appearing more prominently than that in the GP and FA reference pastes, indicating increased nucleation and growth of hydration products due to the limestone filler effect. LC³ pastes exhibited higher autogenous shrinkage overtime, strongly influenced by calcined clay reactivity and particle fineness. A clear correlation was observed between pore refinement and autogenous deformation during the early phases (7 days): pastes with a greater volume of fine pores showed higher early-age autogenous shrinkage during the first 7 days of hydration. In contrast, the chemical shrinkage of LC³ mixes was comparable to that of the GP and FA systems at early ages (≤7 days) but became lower after 28 days, attributed to both the matrix densification and additional nucleation sites provided by the limestone. Overall, LC³ reduces long-term chemical shrinkage and densifies the microstructure; however, the refined pore structure and increased internal water demand lead to higher autogenous shrinkage. These findings demonstrate a direct link between hydration-driven microstructural evolution (phase formation and pore refinement) and the resulting shrinkage behaviour.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/192307