Ductility response of RC beams composed of limestone calcined clay cement (LC3) and polypropylene (PP) fibre

Abstract

Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) is distinguished by considerable pollutant emissions and excessive energy and resource consumption. The development of low-clinker blended Portland cement with mineral additives is the most practical and recognisable method of resolving these issues in the cement industry. The traditional OPC consists of 95% clinker. Supplementary Cementitious Materials (SCMs) enhance the OPC by lowering clinker production. To reduce CO2 emissions, an innovative low-carbon cement called Limestone Calcined Clay Cement (LC3) replaces clinker with additional cementitious ingredients (SCMs). Clinker (50): calcined clay, limestone, and gypsum are the primary sources of LC3 cement. Adding Polypropylene (PP) Fibre endorses ductility and reduces the shrinkage cracks. PP Fibre generates a three-dimensional random distribution network structure when mixed with concrete, significantly preventing the creation and growth of micro cracks. PP Fibre can keep water and other potentially hazardous ions out of concrete. The beam specimens were incorporated with a 1.5% volume fraction of PP Fibre randomly distributed through the section. This study focused on LC3 and PP Fibre on the ductility response of RC beams. RC beams tested for the study consisted of Reference RC Beam, Reference RC beam with 1.5% PP Fibre, RC Beam with LC3 cement, and RC Beam with LC3 cement & 1.5% PP Fibre. The size of RC beams is 100 × 150 × 1000 mm, and they underwent four-point bending testing until failure, and the maximum load were recorded. First crack load and first deflection, yield load and yield deflection, ultimate load and ultimate deflection, as well as ductility and failure mechanisms, are all studied parameters. The findings revealed that LC3 and Portland Pozzolana Cement have almost identical compressive strengths (PPC). The addition of 1.5% PP exhibited better performance appreciably. RC beam with 1.5% PP Fibre shows an ultimate strength of 8.0% compared to the Reference RC Beam.