Adiabatic temperature rise of concrete with limestone fines added as a filler

Abstract

Limestone fines (LF) is used as an inert filler in concrete to reduce the cement consumption, reduce the heat generation during hardening and promote the sustainability of concrete construction. Basically, LF is added to replace part of the cement paste and does not actively participate in the chemical reactions of concrete strength gain. As a key factor affecting the heat generation of concrete, the degree of cement hydration in LF concrete mixes is dependent on mix proportioning parameters including water content, LF volume, and water-to-cement (W/C) ratio. Consequently, the heat evolution of LF concrete is dependent on these mix parameters in a complicated manner, and this renders the effects of LF on heat generation and temperature rise of concrete difficult to quantify. This paper reports an experimental study of adiabatic temperature rise of LF concrete. Twenty concrete mixes with LF volume at 0%, 4%, 8% and 12% were tested using the semi-adiabatic curing test method with heat loss compensation. It was demonstrated that the addition of LF could effectively suppress the temperature rise of concrete. Based on the experimental results, prediction formula and design chart of adiabatic temperature rise of LF concrete were developed.