What is Cement?

In this post we will be learning about Definition, Types, IS Codes and Storage Details of Cement.

Definition:

Cement is a dry powdery substance made by calcining lime and clay, mixed with water to form mortar or mixed with sand, gravel and water to make concrete. It is a binder material. Once hardened, cement delivers sufficient strength to erect large industrial structures.

Types of Cements:

Different types of cement are available in the market depending on its usage and they are:

1. PPC - Portland Pozzolana Cement

2. SSC - Super Sulphated Cement

3. RHPC - Rapid Hardening Portland Cement

4. OPC - Ordinary Portland Cement

5. HAC - High Alumina Cement

6. SRPC - Sulphate Resistant Portland Cement

7. PSC- Portland Slag Cement

On basis of Cement grades, Cements are classified into three 3 Grades. They are 43, 53 and 33. Nowadays 33 Grades of Cement is not Considered for Construction work. But can be found in Market, It's usage is limited to only Slurry work or to some extent for PCC work. In PCC work also 33 Grades of cement are not advised by Construction legends.

PPC CEMENT:

PPC Cement is also known or termed or abbreviated as Portland Pozzolana Cement. This cement types is widely used in Construction Home or House by individuals. It also has all the 3 Grades available. Higher the grades, Stronger and better will be cement quality. It's IS Code is IS 1489 in which its Specification of PPC Cement is mentioned.

PPC is special blended cement useful in general construction work and is especially suitable for applications in aggressive environmental conditions. It can be confidently employed in construction of hydraulic structures, marine works, mass concreting such as dams, dykes, retaining walls foundations and sewage pipes. It is also suitable for use in common applications such as masonry mortars and plastering.

SSC CEMENT:

Super sulfate cement (SSC) is a kind of cement prepared with ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) as main raw material, gypsum as sulfate activator and clinker or lime as alkaline activator. Usually, the compositions of SSC are 75%–85% of GGBFS, 10%–20% of sulfate (dihydrate gypsum, gypsum, phosphogypsum, etc.) and 1%–5% of alkaline activator (cement clinker, calcium hydroxide, lime, etc.). Its IS Code is IS 6909. This cement provide resistant to sulphur or sulphate.

RHPC CEMENT:

Rapid hardening cement is a special type of cement that achieves high strength in less time. Normally the strength achieved by conventional cements in 7 days is same as the strength achieved in 3 days. This type of cement is also called as High-Early Strength Portland Cement. In this article we discuss about manufacture process, properties, uses and advantages of rapid hardening cement. It's IS Code is IS 8041.

It is used where formwork has to be removed as early as possible in order to reuse it. It is used where high early strength is required. It is generally used for constructing road pavements, where it is important to open the road to traffic quickly.

OPC CEMENT:

It is used for general construction purposes where special properties are not required such as reinforced concrete buildings, bridges, pavements, and where soil conditions are normal. Used for most of concrete masonry units. It's IS Code is IS 269:2015

HAC CEMENT:

High Alumina Cement (HAC), sometimes known as calcium aluminate cement (CAC) or aluminous cement, is composed of calcium aluminates, unlike Portland cement which is composed of calcium silicates. It is manufactured from limestone or chalk and bauxite (Special clay having extremely high alumina content).

Generally, this refractory product is widely used in sewer infrastructure and marine construction. Besides, it is also used in refractory concretes for furnaces, boilers, kilns, and chimneys. This is due to its strength to withstand very high temperatures with proven durability.

SRPC CEMENT:

This cement is also known Sulphate Resistant Pozzolana Cement. This cement in areas where sulphate quantity is high in construction regions. It’s IS Code is IS 12330.

Sulfate would damage concrete made using CEM I(Composite Epoxy Material) or CEM II cements. In cement, the Sulfate resistance is achieved by limiting the level of C3A in the cement. SRPC is synthesized by mixing ground limestone, shale, and iron-oxide together at a very high temperature, which results in cement clinker. Gypsum is also added in a very small quantity. Then the mixed gypsum and the cement clinker is ground into a very fine powder, thus producing Sulfate Resistant Portland Cement. This type of cement is used in areas prone to sulfate attack. Sulfate weakens the strength and durability of a common type of cement. This type of cement is invincible only in areas enriched with sulfate. It can not face chloride attack. In seawater construction, as there is hight concentration of chloride, this type of cement is allowed to be used.

PSC CEMENT:

Well known as Portland Slag Cement. And it’s IS Code is IS 455.

Portland Slag Cement (PSC) is a blended cement, wherein some portion of OPC is replaced with Ground Granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS), to make the structures more lasting.

Storage:

There is certain set of instruction for storing of cement and other physical items used in construction sector as per IS Code 4082.

Cement should stored in cool and dry place. And it should kept away from direct contact with sunlight or water. And there is also height of stacking of cement mentioned in the IS 4082, means till what height cement should be stacked.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Question 1: What is standard cement Bag Size weight?

Answer: The standard weight of Cement Bag is 50 Kg.

Question 2:

Question 3:

USEFUL LINKS:

1. Explain PPC Cement in Detail

2. Explain RHPC Cement in Detail

3. Explain OPC Cement in Detail

4. Explain SRPC Cement in Detail

5. Explain SSC Cement in Detail

6. Explain PSC Cement in Detail

7. Explain HAC Cement in Detail