For ecological and economic reasons, the production of clinker-efficient, innovative cements with a low CO2 footprint will become increasingly important in the coming years especially for the medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) of the German cement industry. In order to increase the acceptance of these cements in the construction industry, they must have high performance and good durability properties in concrete. In particular, the combination of the two main cement constituents granulated blast furnace slag (S) and calcined clay (Q) in addition to Portland cement clinker (K) is very promising in terms of cement performance, durability and CO2 reduction potential. Due to a lack of knowledge and experience, such cements are not yet produced in Germany.
The aim of the research project is therefore the detailed investigation of the performance, durability and hydration behaviour of ternary cements with blastfurnace slag and calcined clay as main constituents (KSQ cements). Synergy effects between the different cement main constituents and their hydration products are to be investigated. In order to be able to cover a wide range of compositions and to gain significant knowledge in this field, methods of statistical test planning and evaluation are used.
In addition, the knowledge generated in this research project is to be used to include KSQ cements in European standardisation beyond the previously standardised range, thus paving the way for the production of these clinker-efficient cements for German SMEs. Finally, the CO2 saving potential of KSQ cements is to be determined by model calculations depending on the cement composition, clay mineralogy and calcination technology.
