The feasibility and potential of modern hydraulic lime concretes

Before the advent of Portland cement, lime was the predominant binder for concrete construction. Given that a lower kiln temperature, and less energy, is required to decompose limestone into hydraulic lime, than into cement clinker, lime-based binders may have potential to lower the environmental footprint of modern concrete. The results of experimental work demonstrated the feasibility of combining hydraulic lime with modern pozzolanic additions, such as; ground granulated blastfurnace slag, fly ash, metakaolin and silica fume, with the aid of superplasticisers, to produce concretes with strengths in excess of 45 N/mm², suitable for reinforced structural members.