Effect of Limestone Powder Mixing Methods on the Performance of Mass Concrete

Using limestone powder (LP), the by-product of manufactured sand, to replace part of fly ash (FA) or manufactured sand could not only turn waste into treasure and decrease the price of concrete, but could also enhance the performance of concrete and reduce environmental pollution. However, the impact of various LP incorporation methods on the performance of mass concrete was inconsistent. In this paper, the effects of LP on the workability, compressive strength, constrained expansion rate, hydration temperature and impermeability of mass concrete were studied by replacing FA or manufactured sand alone and replacing FA and manufactured sand simultaneously. The results showed that the impact of LP on the performance of mass concrete was equal when it replaced FA alone and FA and manufactured sand at the same time. When the replacement amount was 20%, the workability, expansibility and early strength of concrete were improved, but the later strength and impermeability were slightly reduced. The workability, compressive strength, expansibility and impermeability of mass concrete were improved when manufactured sand was replaced alone, and the optimal dosage was 10%. The LP, moreover, reduced the hydration temperature peak of concrete in three kinds of mixing methods, but the temperature peak appeared earlier. At lower dosages, LP optimized pore structure and promoted the early hydration of cement through filler effects and nucleation effects. When LP replaced manufactured sand, the microstructure of concrete was more dense, so the replacement of manufactured sand had a better effect on the improvement of concrete properties. A reference value for the use of LP in mass concrete is provided in this study.