A Study on High Strength Concrete with Moderate Cement Content Incorporating Limestone Powder

Abstract This paper presents the results of an investigation to assess the validity of producing high strength concrete (HSC) using moderate cement content to reduce the consumption of the binders. Cement content is lowered from 500 kg/m3 to 400 kg/m3. The difference in cement content is compensated by the addition of fine limestone (LS) powder. Pozzolans were incorporated as an addition to cement. Different coarse aggregate types were employed. Workability, compressive strength, tensile strength, permeability and drying shrinkage were measured. Test results revealed that HSC with a compressive strength up to 79 MPa (at 90 days age) could be produced with moderate cement content. The mixtures consistency and drying shrinkage are greatly enhanced due to employing LS powder and the permeability is satisfactory. To provide better solution to some concrete disadvantages like cracking and drying shrinkage, using an economic rate for cement are believed to reduce these disadvantages.