Project Blast-furnace slag based cements

Comparative study of the reactivity of blast-furnace slag used in cements of type CEM III

Generalities

Final aim of this research: Understanding of the slag hydration mechanisms

Interest: Training of a CRIC-OCCN Project Manager – Fundamental knowledge of Cement Chemistry

Summary

In this research, the reactivity of the slags (as a substitute of clinker in the cement) has been studied. This, in order to understand, more about the blast-furnace cements, also called CEM III and their hydration mechanisms.

The studied slags are of different origin and ages. The interest of this PhD study resides in the fact that the different chemical and mineral compositions of the slag influence the mechanical and rheological compositions, the chemical reactivity and the porosity of concrete made with these CEM III-type cements. Besides, this work promotes the actual increasing use of this type of cement.

Indeed, CEM III has different advantages: an increase of the structures durability, a decrease of the amount of CO2 through the substitution of clinker by slag and also better mechanical resistance at longer terms.

The Doctoral Thesis started beginning 2007 has been presented with flying colours in February 2011. Scientific articles are currently published.

Further information

  • Start of the project: 1/01/2007
  • Finished: 28/02/2011
  • Partners: ULB- Service Matières et Matériaux (Professor M.-P. Delplancke) and ULB- Unité de Géochimie & Minéralogie Appliquée (Professor A. Bernard)
  • Funded by: own resources