Interpretable Data Analysis of Fluidity in Calcined Clay-Based Cement

This study investigates the workability of an emerging cement based on calcined clay, considered one of the sustainable binders for reducing the carbon footprint of construction materials. Despite existing experimental data, no comprehensive analysis has been conducted. In the present paper, a literature-derived dataset was analyzed using CPM-based packing density computation and interpretable statistical analyses (distribution statistics and Pearson correlation-based projections). The novelty of this study lies in integrating the domain-knowledge-informed hierarchical analysis to identify packing density as a primary, sustainable lever to enhance LC3 fluidity while limiting reliance on superplasticizers. PCE superplasticizers (0–2.5 wt.% in the dataset) improve fluidity across packing densities; noticeable gains are observed even for low dosages (≈0.5–1 wt.%) at packing 0.36–0.38. A paradigm shift is proposed through optimizing packing density by adjusting clay and limestone content in the mix. Prioritizing packing density, alongside conventional parameters, opens new avenues for sustainability by reducing reliance on organic fluidizers in low-carbon cements.