Effect of Low-Grade Calcined Clay on the Durability Performance of Blended Cement Mortar

Recent studies have shown the viability of low-grade calcined clays as a partial substitute for cement in construction applications. However, there is limited information about the performance of low-grade calcined clay in withstanding chloride-rich environments. This paper investigates the durabili...

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Main Authors: Kwabena Boakye, Morteza Khorami
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Buildings
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/7/1159
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author Kwabena Boakye
Morteza Khorami
author_facet Kwabena Boakye
Morteza Khorami
author_sort Kwabena Boakye
collection DOAJ
description Recent studies have shown the viability of low-grade calcined clays as a partial substitute for cement in construction applications. However, there is limited information about the performance of low-grade calcined clay in withstanding chloride-rich environments. This paper investigates the durability performance of mortar prepared by partially substituting cement with low-grade calcined clay. Naturally occurring clay having a kaolinite content of 17% was calcined at 900 °C, blended and used to prepare composite cement samples containing up to 40% by weight low-grade calcined clay. Durability studies were conducted using the rapid chloride penetration test (RCPT), freeze and thaw, sorptivity, permeable porosity, ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), and autogenous shrinkage. The incorporation of calcined clay resulted in significant improvements in durability properties, including reductions in sorptivity, permeable porosity, and chloride ion penetration. Additionally, enhanced freeze–thaw resistance was observed, indicating the ability of calcined clays to mitigate deterioration under harsh environmental conditions. These improvements in durability translate to extended service life and reduced maintenance requirements for concrete structures.
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spelling doaj-art-5d2ec163a8d149b5aa332a15bb3a7df72025-08-20T02:17:00ZengMDPI AGBuildings2075-53092025-04-01157115910.3390/buildings15071159Effect of Low-Grade Calcined Clay on the Durability Performance of Blended Cement MortarKwabena Boakye0Morteza Khorami1Civil Engineering Department, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UKSchool of Energy, Construction & Environment, College of Engineering, Environment and Science Coventry University, Coventry CV1 5FB, UKRecent studies have shown the viability of low-grade calcined clays as a partial substitute for cement in construction applications. However, there is limited information about the performance of low-grade calcined clay in withstanding chloride-rich environments. This paper investigates the durability performance of mortar prepared by partially substituting cement with low-grade calcined clay. Naturally occurring clay having a kaolinite content of 17% was calcined at 900 °C, blended and used to prepare composite cement samples containing up to 40% by weight low-grade calcined clay. Durability studies were conducted using the rapid chloride penetration test (RCPT), freeze and thaw, sorptivity, permeable porosity, ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), and autogenous shrinkage. The incorporation of calcined clay resulted in significant improvements in durability properties, including reductions in sorptivity, permeable porosity, and chloride ion penetration. Additionally, enhanced freeze–thaw resistance was observed, indicating the ability of calcined clays to mitigate deterioration under harsh environmental conditions. These improvements in durability translate to extended service life and reduced maintenance requirements for concrete structures.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/7/1159low-grade calcined clayfreeze and thawpermeabilitydurabilitysorptivitychloride ion ingress
spellingShingle Kwabena Boakye
Morteza Khorami
Effect of Low-Grade Calcined Clay on the Durability Performance of Blended Cement Mortar
Buildings
low-grade calcined clay
freeze and thaw
permeability
durability
sorptivity
chloride ion ingress
title Effect of Low-Grade Calcined Clay on the Durability Performance of Blended Cement Mortar
title_full Effect of Low-Grade Calcined Clay on the Durability Performance of Blended Cement Mortar
title_fullStr Effect of Low-Grade Calcined Clay on the Durability Performance of Blended Cement Mortar
title_full_unstemmed Effect of Low-Grade Calcined Clay on the Durability Performance of Blended Cement Mortar
title_short Effect of Low-Grade Calcined Clay on the Durability Performance of Blended Cement Mortar
title_sort effect of low grade calcined clay on the durability performance of blended cement mortar
topic low-grade calcined clay
freeze and thaw
permeability
durability
sorptivity
chloride ion ingress
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/7/1159
work_keys_str_mv AT kwabenaboakye effectoflowgradecalcinedclayonthedurabilityperformanceofblendedcementmortar
AT mortezakhorami effectoflowgradecalcinedclayonthedurabilityperformanceofblendedcementmortar