Portland-limestone cement adopted in building codes
March 7, 2011
By
Canadian Consulting Engineer
A new class of cement known as Portland-limestone cement is being referenced in the Ontario Building Code. As well, in Quebec, the Régie du Bâtiment has approved the limestone cement as an "alternative solution" to General Use...
A new class of cement known as Portland-limestone cement is being referenced in the Ontario Building Code. As well, in Quebec, the Régie du Bâtiment has approved the limestone cement as an “alternative solution” to General Use cement.
Cement manufacturer Holcim says that making Portland-limestone Cement (PLC) produces 10% less carbon dioxide emissions than making regular cement. The savings are produced by replacing 15% of the clinker in cement with limestone.
Last year the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario carried out successful trials using PLC in a cast-in-place concrete barrier wall section and on a slipformed concrete pavement.
PLC is approved by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA A 3001 and A 23.1) and was referenced in the National Building Code of Canada on November 29, 2010. It was approved by the Régie du Bâtiment du Québec and adopted in the Ontario Building Code in February.
Holcim manufactures PLC in its plants in Ontario and Quebec. The material shows comparable strength and can carry a similar amount of Supplementary Cementing Material as General Use cement.
