Oğuzhan Öztürk, İmirza Okay Altuntaş
The long-term durability of LC³ concrete remains uncertain particularly when produced with low-grade and waste-derived clays under severe environmental exposure limiting its structural application. This study presents a comprehensive durability evaluation of LC³ mixtures within a unified framework for comparative durability assessment of LC³ systems incorporating different clay sources. Mixtures were designed based on maximum allowable water-to-binder ratios and minimum binder contents for target exposure classes. CEM II concrete was compared with LC³ mixtures containing low-kaolinitic clay (LKC) and waste-derived clays from waste hollow brick (WHB) and waste ceramic tile (WCT). LC³ mixtures exhibited slightly higher carbonation depths however remained within serviceability limits. Under marine chloride (XS), freeze/thaw (XF), and sulfate (XA) exposures, comparable residual mechanical performance and mass loss were achieved with the observed differences influenced by clay-dependent microstructure. Abrasion resistance decreased slightly and correlated with carbonation depth. All LC³ mixtures showed lower water absorption suggesting favorable long-term durability.