Influence of physico-chemical characteristics of limestone fillers on fresch and hardened mortar performances

In order to meet the specific requirements for fresh Self-Compacting Concrete (SCC), i.e. a high workability together with a good resistance to segregation, the amount of coarse aggregates has to be reduced and replaced by fine material. Since cement is quite expensive and can develop a high heat of hydration with possible problems for thermal cracks in massive concrete, mineral fillers are usually used.
In Belgium, local available materials are limestone fillers; they are very well-adapted for the optimisation of particle packing and flow behaviour of cementitious paste in SCC mixes. These by-products are issued from different sectors, such as the aggregate and lime production industry (quarrying operations) and the ornamental stones industry (sawing operations).
The suitability of these fillers for use in SCC or conventional concrete production was investigated. This paper reports the effect of the nature and the substitution rate of the fillers on the properties of mortars. Some relationship between the physico-chemical properties of the fillers and the properties of mortars were brought forward.