Jose Fernando Martirena Hernandez

• Dr.Sc.
• Managing Director at Universidad Central "Marta Abreu" de las Villas (UCLV)

LC3 (limestone calcined clay cement) is poised to become the construction industry’s future as a so-called low-carbon-footprint cement. Research into this subject has determined the minimum kaolinite content in calcined clays to guarantee good mechanical performance. This study examines the use of clay from the Valencian Community (Spain), which ha...

Cuba currently has a network of canals made up of prefabricated slabs throughout the country, which guarantee the irrigation of agricultural products. These channels today show significant deterioration, especially the expansion joints. The formulation and application of a new expansive mortar in a section of the Alacranes Pavón canal located in th...

Taking inspiration from the recent rise in interest on calcined clays, the RILEM technical committee RILEM TC 282-CCL on Calcined Clays as Supplementary Cementitious Materials has been summarising knowledge on a wide variety of topics related to the use of calcined clays in cement and concrete. In this article, the working group 2 of this committee...

Calcined kaolinitic clays are known to be very reactive pozzolans, and combined with limestone can enable significant clinker substitution in cementitious systems. Thermal activation of kaolinitic clays takes place when the hydroxyl groups are removed, leading to formation of an amorphous reactive structure. There are several technologies for clay...

In this review by TC- 282 CCL, a comprehensive examination of various facets of chloride ingress in calcined clay-based concrete in aggressive chloride-rich environments is presented due to its significance in making reinforced concrete structures susceptible to chloride-induced corrosion damages. The review presents a summary of available literatu...

This study aims at the evaluation of different formulations of concrete made with calcined clays and limestone (LC3 cement) exposed to aggressive environments. The study includes the evaluation of fresh and hardened properties and a comprehensive evaluation of durability over 24 months. The inclusion of calcined clays in cement increases the specif...

Water transfers have great economic, social and environmental importance in Cuba. Fiber-reinforced concrete is used in its construction. In this, the steel is completely replaced by the structural fiber, which prevents shrinkage and cracking. The objective of this work was to validate the use of High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) fibers of national p...

This guideline prescribes the technical requirements for the design and operation of long-term exposure sites in marine environments. The technical content includes the design of exposure site, the monitoring of environmental conditions, the monitoring of exposed specimens, the data management and the maintenance of exposure facilities. The design...

The acceleration of the impact of climate change prompts the cement industry for swift and effective solutions to reduce a large part of the carbon dioxide associated with cement manufacture. The use of Supplementary Cementitious Materials, SCM, such as fly ash and slag have enabled so far, the possibility of partially replacing clinker, the most e...

Materials used in concrete construction are highly regulated through national standards that set minimum material reactivity, composition, and performance. Advances have shown that the combination of calcined clay and limestone fines in cementitious systems can have a synergistic reaction that allows for high levels of clinker replacement while mai...

Introducción: Los aditivos químicos son un componente esencial para la fabricación de hormigón. Cuba importa estos productos, y por esta razón la demanda no es cubierta. Un equipo multidisciplinario se propuso como objetivo desarrollar un aditivo plastificante producido con materias primas nacionales. Métodos: Se caracterizó el producto, y se vali...

A review of the mechanical property development of concrete containing calcined clay was performed. A comparison of compressive and tensile strength results showed that concrete can be made to have equivalent or higher strength as an ordinary portland cement (OPC) system with up to 30% calcined clay or 50% blend of calcined clay and limestone fines...

Introducción: Los aditivos químicos son un componente esencial para la fabricación de hormigón. Cuba importa estos productos, y por esta razón la demanda no es cubierta. Un equipo multidisciplinario se propuso como objetivo desarrollar un aditivo plastificante producido con materias primas nacionales. Métodos: Se caracterizó el producto, y se valid...

The present work deals with the evaluation of the addition of a calcareous-based expansion additive in formulations of type III mortars, consisting of Portland cement, LC2 and stone powder as aggregate, to obtain expansive mortars. The design of the experiment was carried out in order to evaluate the influence of the calcareous-based expansion addi...

Together with the additives, the use of Supplementary Cementitious Materials (SMCs) is one of the most sustainable solutions worked on to achieve high performance concretes, more resistant to aggressive environments and as a measure to mitigate different phenomena, such as shrinkage cracks. Mineral additions are one of the most widespread, as they...

Early age cracking in concrete is caused by a combination of the chemical and autogenous shrinkage caused by the exhaustion of the water in the pores during the hydration of cement phases. Generally, this process takes place in the first 72 h of concrete casting. The use of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) can mitigate cracking due to se...

The inclusion of high specific surface materials such as calcined clays in cementitious systems enhances the hydration of clinker products at very early ages, but it may also increase water demand; thus, the pursuit of a flowing concrete may demand an increase in the dosage of superplasticizers. The grinding regime can have a major influence on the...

This paper reviews the technical aspects related to the long-term field exposure practice in marine environments, based on the return of experiences of major marine exposure sites in world-wide scope. The long-term exposure practice helps both the research on durability mechanisms of structural concretes under real environments and the calibration...

Several studies have reported that the calcination products of clays with a very high kaolinite contents (> 60 wt. %) do not completely react in the cement paste, leading to an excess of unreacted material that do not participate in the pozzolanic reaction. On the other hand, it has also been reported that the decrease in pozzolanic reactivity that...

This state of the art presents an overview on the effects of calcined clay inclusion on the fresh properties of concrete under the framework of RILEM TC-282 CCL. Progress in recent literature was reviewed to determine the effects of calcined clay, particularly metakaolin and lower grade kaolinite clays, on fresh concrete properties and how to contr...

The durability performance of blended cementitious systems with calcined clays is reviewed in this paper by the RILEM TC 282-CCL on calcined clays as supplementary cementititous materials (SCMs) (working group on durability). The impact of metakaolin and other calcined clays on the porosity and pore structure of cementitious systems is discussed, f...

The use of calcined clays as supplementary cementitious materials provides the opportunity to significantly reduce the cement industry’s carbon burden; however, use at a global scale requires a deep understanding of the extraction and processing of the clays to be used, which will uncover routes to optimise their reactivity. This will enable increa...

Introducción: La implementación a escala industrial de la producción de los cementos LC³ y de la correspondiente adición mineral activa (LC²) se encuentra limitada porque no existe una adecuada estrategia que permita la identificación y evaluación de los depósitos arcillosos existentes como fuente de materiales cementicios suplementarios (MCS) y a...

This article reviews the rapidly developing state-of-the-art literature available on the subject of the recently developed limestone calcined clay cement (LC³). An introduction to the background leading to the development of LC³ is first discussed. The chemistry of LC³ hydration and its production are detailed. The influence of the properties of th...

The objective of this study is to identify and evaluate the most significant impacts of a concrete block produced with different types of raw materials for the calculation of eco-efficiency indicators for comparison. Two innovative technologies that, when combined, can make a significant contribution to reducing CO2: - the innovative cement LC3-50,...

The climate emergency requires the adoption of strategies and technologies that effectively reduce CO 2 emissions in the short to midterm to keep the global temperature rise below 2°C above pre-industrial levels. Concrete is the substance most consumed by humanity after water. The blended cements in which supplementary cementitious materials replac...

ABSTRACT Introduction. The high rate of visible microbial contaminants in the establishment phase, as well as a low rate of multiplication, rooting and survival ex vitro, constitute the main problems during in vitro propagation in Bambusa vulgaris Schard. exWendl. The present work was carried out with the objective of proposing new alternatives fo...

The combined use of calcined clays and limestone in the ternary system LC3 enables up to 50% of clinker substitution without affecting the performance. Low grade calcined clays are rich in iron. If calcined in an oxygen rich atmosphere, they turn to red. Cement producers avoid selling cement with a color different to the traditional. This paper pro...

Three clay deposits from northeastern Cuba were characterized by X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis. The clay deposits present high content of aluminum oxide and loss on ignition. Kaolinite was identified as a main clay mineral, and iron and aluminum phases as impurities. The clays were preliminarily selected by c...

The technology for the manufacture of a ternary cement based on Portland cement, calcined clay and limestone has gained interest in the region Latin America. Several cement companies have embraced the technology, and many of them are moving toward industrial production within the next 2–3 years. The introduction process must overcome a series of ch...

Three clay deposits from northeastern Cuba were characterized by X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis. The clay deposits present high content of aluminum oxide and loss on ignition. Kaolinite was identified as a main clay mineral, and iron and aluminum phases as impurities. The clays were preliminarily selected by c...

Cracking of concrete elements resulting from drying shrinkage is a phenomenon that affects a large number of structures built with this material worldwide. As a consequence, the buildings are not only affected aesthetically, but also structurally, since cracking patterns, in addition to affecting the element initial stiffness, acts as a pathway for...

ID Number (given by the scientific editors/organizers): ………….. Abstract As part of the validation procedures for low carbon cement (LCC), with only 50% clinker content, its durability performance will be established by exposing specimens and large scale elements to a natural marine environment in the N. coast of Cuba. Before subjecting the elements...

Ideas on how to introduce a novel, more sustainable cement

The search of sustainability is a need for human activities in general. Particularly, cement sector as a significant contributor to climate change has to implement strategies to reduce its environmental impacts. But, effective strategies have to be complemented by adequate methodological techniques to assess, guide and certificate sustainability. A...

This paper aims at assessing the sustainability of replacing conventional OPC/PPC by Limestone Calcined Clay Cement (LC3) in Cuba. Authors conducted an eco-efficiency (E-E) analysis supported by E-E ratios, which in turn are rooted on the environmental assessment (Life Cycle Assessment, LCA) and the economic analysis (Economic Value Added, EVA). Ta...

The properties of concrete made with a blend of a Microorganism-Based Admixture (MBA) resulting from a fermentative process with wastes of different industries and a lingo-sulpphonate based superplasticizer (SP) has been evaluated. The experimental program included assessing rheology and physical-mechanical properties in paste and concrete, as well...

This research shows results of development and evaluation a microorganism-based admixture (MBA) for Cuban construction industry. This is produced from a fermentative process with wastes of different industries, through efficient microorganisms technology. Its chemical-physical, microbiological properties were determined using proceedings used for c...

The main goal of the paper is to carry out the first implementation of a Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA) in Cuba throughout a case of study related with the introduction of Low Carbon Cement in the country. First, an adapted model to assess economic, social and environmental impacts is developed according to cement sector conditions in...

This volume focuses on research and practical issues linked to Calcined Clays for Sustainable Concrete. The main topics are geology of clays, hydration and performance of blended system with calcined clays, alkali activated binders, applications in concrete and mortar, durability of concrete under various aggressive conditions, and economic and env...

The use of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) to replace part of the clinker in cement is the most successful strategy to reduce CO2 emissions in the global cement industry. However, limited supplies of conventional SCMs make it difficult to take this strategy further unless new types of SCMs become available. The only type of material ava...

Approximately 140 billion metric tons of biomass are produced every year in the world from agriculture. The ashes resulting from firing agricultural wastes such as rice husk, sugar cane and others can be used as Supplementary Cementitious Materials (SCM). They can be mixed with lime alone or in ternary mixtures with Portland cement and lime. If fir...

This paper aims at assessing the return on investment and carbon mitigation potentials of five investment alternatives for the Cuban cement industry in a long-term horizon appraisal (15 years). Anticipated growing demand for cement, constrained supply and an urgent need for optimisation of limited capital while preserving the environment, are backg...

En este trabajo se realiza la evaluación ambiental de la producción de cemento en la Fábrica Siguaney y el cálculo de los indicadores de ecoeficiencia según la norma ISO 14045, se utiliza la metodología Recipe mediante el software SimaPro 8.1. Para evaluar los indicadores de ecoeficiencia se relacionan los resultados de las categorías de impacto co...

This work carries out the environmental evaluation of the cement production in Siguaney Factory as well as the calculation of the Eco-efficiency indicators according to the ISO 14045 norms; the Recipe methodology was used including 18 impact categories and the SimaPro 8.1 software was also used. In order to evaluate the eco-efficiency indicators ac...

El uso de los microorganismos en la industria de la construcción, es una de las tendencias actuales en esta industria. Se han creado diferentes productos biotecnológicos y biotecnologías para la ingeniería civil, a partir de una nueva ciencia “La biotecnología de la construcción”. Asimismo, la producción de bioaditivos está dentro de sus prioridade...

This paper presents the results of an industrial trial for the production of calcined clay to be used as pozzolan in cement manufacture. For the trial, a wet-process clinker rotary kiln was modified to process on dry basis the low grade kaolinitic clay used as raw material. The kaolinitic clay deposit was chosen through a screening based on geologi...

Recycled aggregates from mixed recycled wastes have a high content of particles with size under 63 μm. This material is generally considered undesirable, since it increases water demand. However, these fines could fill out gaps between cement grains and increase packing density. The present work assesses the influence of fines under 63 μm on mortar...

Producción local de cemento de bajo carbono, LC3, y su aplicación en la obtención de bloques huecos de hormigón como contribución al desarrollo sostenible del Hábitat. Resumen La producción local de materiales de construcción para el mejoramiento del Hábitat en Cuba, sobre la base de la actualización del modelo económico social propio, mantiene un...

El presente trabajo constituye una investigación de carácter teórico – práctico sobre la utilización de un bioproducto fabricado a partir de la tecnología de los Microorganismos eficientes llamado MEF-32, el mismo fue utilizado como aditivo viscosificante en la producción de traviesas de hormigón en la Empresa Industrial de Instalaciones Fijas (EII...

El presente trabajo constituye una investigación de carácter teórico – práctico sobre la utilización de un bioproducto fabricado a partir de la tecnología de los Microorganismos eficientes llamado MEF-32, el mismo fue utilizado como aditivo viscosificante en la producción de traviesas de hormigón en la Empresa Industrial de Instalaciones Fijas (EII...

This paper presents an alternative to reduce porosity of coarse recycled aggregate through coating the 4–8 mm fraction with a thin layer of cement. Coating was carried out in a lab granulator. A 0.16–0.23 mm thick cement film was placed surrounding the aggregate grain. Porosity and freeze-thaw tests carried out in the coarse coated recycled aggrega...

Concrete is the most manmade material solution produced and used worldwide. Its cornerstone is the cement composite due to the high emissions level and resources consumption volume. Roughly 5-7% of global carbon dioxide emissions come from cement manufacture process. The far-reaching alternative of replacement a clinker portion in the cement materi...

Concrete is the most manmade material solution produced and used worldwide. Its cornerstone is the cement composite due to the high emissions level and resources consumption volume. Roughly 5-7% of global carbon dioxide emissions come from cement manufacture process. The far-reaching alternative of replacement a clinker portion in the cement materi...

Concrete is, after water, the most used material worldwide and its demand is projected to growth in the next 30 years. Among all concrete materials, cement presents the higher energy consumption and carbon emissions, that's why this industry has been developing several alternatives to gain sustainability. Reduction of clinker ratio by using Supplem...

Concrete is, after water, the most used material worldwide and its demand is projected to growth in the next 30 years. Among all concrete materials, cement presents the higher energy consumption and carbon emissions, that's why this industry has been developing several alternatives to gain sustainability. Reduction of clinker ratio by using Supplem...

Cement is the most produced material around the world. Developing countries face a growth of population involving an increasing need of infrastructures. Due to this situation, the cement industry need to find the best comprise between increasing the cement production and without increasing the negative environmental impact. A promising solution has...

Results of the evaluation of a new bioproduct produced through fermentation of a mixed culture of microorganisms as a plasticizer in concrete are presented. The product, generically known as the Efficient Microorganism (EM) has proven potential for use as chemical admixture in concrete. The product, in a diluted version, shows a moderate plasticizi...

Natural clayey materials from La Delta deposit located in Moa, Holguin was characterized through the techniques of atomic absorption spectrometry, X ray diffraction, thermoravimetric analysis and infrared spectroscopy to determine the puzzolanic activity. The clay thermal activation was completed at 650ºC and 750ºC. The calcination products were ch...

El trabajo presenta la implementación del sistema cementicio clinquer-arcilla calcinada-caliza en la formulación, evaluación, producción industrial y uso de un nuevo cemento, conocido como el “cemento de bajo carbono” (LC3). Este cemento alcanza propiedades similares a los cementos de uso general, en el caso de Cuba el P35, pero con un contenido de...

Clay materials from two outcrops of the Moa region were analyzed to determine their potential use as supplementary cementitious material in theproduction of ternary cements based on limestone-calcined clay. The clays were characterized by atomic absorption spectroscopy (EAA), X-raydiffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) an...

Five row clays were chemically and mineralogically characterized by XRF, XRD and TGA. Pozzolanic reactivity of 800 °C calcination products was evaluated by heat released in chemically modified lime-pozzolan pastes, and by compressive strength in mortars with a 30 % substitution of OPC by calcined clays. Preliminary results shown that pozzolanic rea...

The rapid population growth and urbanization had created an unprecedented need for housing solutions worldwide. It has been estimated that more than one hundred thousand housing units are needed every year. The housing demand in the Philippines is further increased by the severity and amount of natural distress afflicting the country every year. Ma...

The influence of thermal activation temperature in the pozzolanic reactivity of low grade kaolinitic clay is assessed in this paper. The raw material, with approximately 40% kaolinite and 40% of 2:1 clay minerals, was calcined to temperatures ranging between 500-1000 °C. Mortars with a 30% replacement of OPC by the clay calcined at 800 °C, a temper...