Assessment of Alkali-Silica Reaction Development in High Limestone Replacement Portland-Limestone Mortar and Concrete

In the current need to offset greenhouse gas emissions, interground Portland Limestone Cement (PLC) emerges as a viable sustainable alternative, offering the potential to reduce clinker content. However, the durability of employed PLC, especially with high limestone fillers (LFs) replacement ratios exceeding 15%, requires detailed investigation. Durability concerns, notably in relation to sulphate attack and steel corrosion, remain unresolved, though the reduced pH due to LFs addition in PLC could help mitigating alkali-silica reaction (ASR). In this context, this work evaluates ASR development in concrete mixtures incorporating PLC with interground LFs ratios of 15%, 20%, and 25%. Analysis of expansion over from accelerated mortar bar (AMBT) and concrete prism tests (CPT) reveal that a replacement ratio of up to 25% does not significantly impact ASR-induced expansion. This finding highlights the potential of PLC for sustainable construction without compromising durability regarding ASR.