Hydration Kinetics Model and Mechanical Property Prediction of Limestone Powder-Slag-Cement (LS3) Binder System

doi:10.16552/j.cnki.issn1001-1625.2026.0220

Abstract

Abstract:

Utilizing slag and limestone powder as issueary cementitious materials in cement-based composites has become increasingly widespread due to their low cost and low-carbon characteristics. When combined with cement， they exhibit synergistic reactions that enhance the mechanical properties of concrete. To establish an integrated hydration-strength optimization model for the limestone powder-slag-cement （LS³） ternary composite binder system， this study developed an integrated hydration-strength prediction model that couples chemical reactions， microstructural evolution， and macroscopic mechanical behavior to simulate the hydration process and calculate the reaction degrees of individual components. The Bernard-Ulm-Lemarchand model was employed to analyze the evolution of phase volume fractions during hydration. Combined with the degree of reaction， mixture proportions， and Powers’ theory， the relationship between gel-space ratio and compressive strength was established. Response curves of concrete strength were then obtained through parametric analysis. The results indicate that limestone powder dominates early age （2 d to 7 d） strength development， whereas slag acts as the main driver for laterage （90 d to 360 d） strength growth. It is proposed that a limestone powder content of 8% to 12% and a slag content of 15% to 25% constitute the optimal range for balanced strength development across all ages in this system. The predicted compressive strengths show a correlation coefficient of 0.95 with experimental values and a root mean square error of 1.35 MPa. The model predictions agree well with independent test data. This study provides a theoretical model and computational basis for the precise design and engineering application of low-carbon cementitious materials.

Key words: slag, limestone powder, LS³ binder system, hydration kinetic model, strength prediction

CLC Number:

TU528

WU Lang, PAN Wenxin, HU Jiaxin, LEI Bin, AI Jianping. Hydration Kinetics Model and Mechanical Property Prediction of Limestone Powder-Slag-Cement (LS³) Binder System[J]. BULLETIN OF THE CHINESE CERAMIC SOCIETY, 2026, 45(8): 2624-2636.

Figures/Tables 7

Table 1 Mixing ratio of limestone powder， slag， and cement mortar［34］

Mortar	Mixing ratio/%			Water to binder ratio
Mortar	Cement	Limestone powder	Slag	Water to binder ratio
PC	100	0	0	0.5
C5L0S	95	5	0	0.5
C0L15S	80	0	30	0.5
C5L30S	65	5	30	0.5
C5L20S	75	5	20	0.5
C10L10S	80	10	15	0.5
C15L20S	65	20	10	0.5

Table 2 Chemical composition and physical properties of limestone powder， slag， and cement

Binder	Chemical composition （mass fraction）/%								Blaine/（m²·kg^-1）
Binder	SiO₂	Al₂O₃	Fe₂O₃	MgO	CaO	SO₃	Na₂O	K₂O	Blaine/（m²·kg^-1）
Cement	20.0	5.4	3.1	2.9	60.6	1.5	0.5	1.2	450
Slag	50.0	23.9	6.0	2.1	6.3	0.4	0.6	1.4	450
Limestone powder	12.9	2.4	2.0	1.8	42.3	—	0.5	0.6	810

Table 3 Molar mass and density of constituent phases［35］

Clinker（x）	Molar mass M/（g·mol^-1）	Density/（g·cm^-3）	Clinker（x）	Molar mass M/（g·mol^-1）	Density/（g·cm^-3）
C₃S	228	3.15	FH₃	107	3
C₂S	172	3.28	$C S ¯ H 2$	172	2.32
C₃A	270	3.03	CSH	227	2.04
C₄AF	430	3.73	CH	74	2.24
$C 4 A S ¯ H 12$	623	1.99	C₃（A，F）H₆	1 255	1.75
Limestone powder	100.09	2.71	$C 6 A S ¯ 3 H 32$	407	2.67
$C 4 A C ¯ H 11$	—	2.17	Slag	—	2.8~3.0
Water（H₂O）	18	1

Table 3 Molar mass and density of constituent phases［35］

Clinker（x）	Molar mass M/（g·mol^-1）	Density/（g·cm^-3）	Clinker（x）	Molar mass M/（g·mol^-1）	Density/（g·cm^-3）
C₃S	228	3.15	FH₃	107	3
C₂S	172	3.28	$C S ¯ H 2$	172	2.32
C₃A	270	3.03	CSH	227	2.04
C₄AF	430	3.73	CH	74	2.24
$C 4 A S ¯ H 12$	623	1.99	C₃（A，F）H₆	1 255	1.75
Limestone powder	100.09	2.71	$C 6 A S ¯ 3 H 32$	407	2.67
$C 4 A C ¯ H 11$	—	2.17	Slag	—	2.8~3.0
Water（H₂O）	18	1

Fig.1 Performance evaluation of LS3 binder system （in picture， C means cement）

Fig.2 Phase volume fraction of LS3 binder system （65% cement， 5% limestone powder， 30% slag）

Fig.3 Strength development law of ternary blended concrete and comparison of analysis results with experimental data

Fig.4 LS3 binder system compressive strength and other response curves

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Hydration Kinetics Model and Mechanical Property Prediction of Limestone Powder-Slag-Cement (LS³) Binder System

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