Eco-Efficiency Analysis of LC³ Cementitious Composites with Ornamental Stone Waste and Red Mud
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.46421/enarc.v9i1.6883Keywords:
Calcined Clay, LC3, Life cycle analysis, Sustainability, ImpactAbstract
To reduce the environmental impacts associated with clinker production, LC³—a cement composed of Portland cement, calcined clay, and limestone—emerges as a lower-cost and more eco-efficient alternative. However, it may exhibit lower strength at 28 days compared to conventional Portland cement. Therefore, it is crucial to understand whether the reduction in strength affects the material’s eco-efficiency and whether the environmental benefits of LC³ justify its use. This study evaluated the eco-efficiency of LC³ mortars and demonstrated that when the minimum structural strength is achieved, the reduction in mechanical performance is offset by environmental benefits. This effect is even more significant when waste materials are incorporated into the LC³ composition, further reinforcing its potential as a sustainable alternative for the construction industry.
References
ASSOCIAÇÃO BRASILEIRA DE NORMAS TÉCNICAS. ABNT NBR 13279: Argamassa para assentamento e revestimento de paredes e tetos - Tração na flexão e a compressão. Rio de Janeiro, 2005.
ASSOCIAÇÃO BRASILEIRA DE NORMAS TÉCNICAS. ABNT NBR 6118: Projeto de estruturas de concreto — Procedimento. Rio de Janeiro, 2023.
ALTUNTAS, I. O.; OZTURK, O.; YILDIRIM, G. Exploring the viability of low-grade Turkish clays in the development of limestone calcined clay cement (LC3) and mortars. Construction and Building Materials, v. 463, n. September 2024, 2025.
FERNANDEZ, R.; MARTIRENA, F.; SCRIVENER, K. L. K. L. The origin of the pozzolanic activity of calcined clay minerals: A comparison between kaolinite, illite and montmorillonite. Cement and Concrete Research, v. 41, n. 1, p. 113–122, jan. 2011.
MALACARNE, C. S. et al. Environmental and technical assessment to support sustainable strategies for limestone calcined clay cement production in Brazil. Construction and Building Materials, v. 310, n. August, p. 125261, dez. 2021.
MEHTA, P. K.; MONTEIRO, P. J. M. Concreto: Propriedades e materiais. IBRACON, 2014.
MIRANDA DE SOUZA, A. et al. Application of the desirability function for the development of new composite eco-efficiency indicators for concrete. Journal of Building Engineering, p. 102374, mar. 2021.
MIRANDA DE SOUZA, A. et al. Impact of low-kaolinite, high-kaolinite, and red mud calcined clays on the rheology of LC3 mixtures. 6th International Conference on Bio-Based Building Materials. Anais...Rio de Janeiro: RILEM, 2025.
RHAOUTI, Y.; TAHA, Y.; BENZAAZOUA, M. Life cycle assessment and industrial synergy for carbon reduction: A circular economy approach. Science of the Total Environment, v. 964, n. November 2024, p. 178592, 2025.
