Lin, L;
Xie, M;
Li, X;
Jin, Y;
Wang, Y;
Jiang, Z;
Xing, F;
(2025)
Valorising bio-waste mussel shells in LC3 Systems: Hydration and mechanical performance.
Cement and Concrete Composites
, 164
, Article 106245. 10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2025.106245.
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Valorising Bio-Waste Mussel Shells in LC3.pdf - Accepted Version Access restricted to UCL open access staff until 21 July 2026. Download (4MB) |
Abstract
Limestone calcined clay cement (LC3) is a promising low-carbon binder; however, intrinsic drawbacks, including the relatively low reactivity of calcite and decreased early strength, limit its ability to compensate for cement clinker reduction. In this study, mussel shell powder (MSP), derived from a widely available bio-waste, was investigated as a sustainable replacement for limestone in LC3 systems, offering a more reactive polymorph of aragonite. The results showed that, compared to LC3, MSP-based LC3 (m-LC3) exhibited a longer induction period due to the retardation effect of the organic matrix present in the MSP. However, it gradually released the more reactive aragonite phase in the alkaline environment, which facilitated the formation of greater amounts of hemicarboaluminate and monocarboaluminate at early hydration stages. This enhanced early strength by 130 % and 58 % at 1 day for m-LC3 without and with sulphate adjustment, respectively. At later stages, the portlandite concentration decreased due to the pozzolanic reaction with metakaolin, and the release of aragonite slowed down. As a result, m-LC3 showed slightly higher strength at 28 days. As a low-CO2 binder, m-LC3 not only leverages a waste-derived source of metastable CaCO3 but also demonstrates potential for large-scale performance improvements and carbon footprint reduction.
| Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Title: | Valorising bio-waste mussel shells in LC3 Systems: Hydration and mechanical performance |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2025.106245 |
| Publisher version: | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2025.106245 |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions. |
| Keywords: | Limestone Calcined Clay Cement, Mussel Shell Powder, Marine Bio-waste Utilisation, Microstructure, Hydration Mechanism |
| UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Engineering Science > Dept of Civil, Environ and Geomatic Eng |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10214767 |
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