Short Notes on Types of cement , its

application.
Cement:

. Cements may be defined as adhesive substances containing

compounds of lime as their principal constituent and are capable of uniting

fragments of solid matters to a compact mass
cement is a mix of cement clinker and gypsum ground together into a powder
Hydraulic Cement :It is the cement which continuously develops its strength
when kept in contact with water
Gypsum:

calcium sulfate is used to regulate setting time of cement.

Concrete: concrete is a mix of cement (about 13%), water (about 7%), fine
aggregate 6mm (about 32%), and coarse aggregate +6mm (about 48%) which
hardens to solid mass
Several types of Portland Cement are recognised having different characteristics.
The most important variables are the Rate of Hardening, Rate and Total Extent of
Heat evoluation during hydration and the resistance of the hardened cement to
attack by sulphate solution. These characteristics are influenced by the
mineralogical and chemical composition of the cement as well as physical factors
such as fineness on grinding

Types of Additives used in Cement mfg.

The various additives used in the finish grinding are:

* Gypsum
* Fly Ash
* Granulated Blast Furnace Slag
* Limestone
* Meta Kaolinite

Performance improver

* Rice Husk Ash

permitted addition in

* Silica Fume

OPC

* Fly Ash

BIS has permitted to use performance improvers in the OPC to an extent of 5

%.

The Fly Ash or Burnt Clay can be used to an extent of 15 to 35 % in PPC

Granulated Blast Furnace slag can be used in the Manufacture of Slag

Cement to an Extent of 25 to 70 %

Indian standard specifications cover 14 types

of Cement.

Of these only 9 are commercially produced.

Cement can be classified into four groups.

General Purpose Cement

Cement to meet needs of various environments/ climatic conditions.
Cement to meet the service condition in construction
New Cements.

TYPES OF CEMENT

The most common types of cement can be divided

into three main groups:

a) PORTLAND CEMENTS:
ORDINARY PORTLAND CEMENT : General
Purpose Concrete
RAPID HARDENING CEMENT : Pre cast
Concrete
SULFATE RESISTANT CEMENT

: Used in

applications requiring resistance

against sulfate attack
LOW HEAT CEMENT

:Massive concrete

like dams
WHITE CEMENT
concrete

:Special architectural

b) COMPOSITE CEMENTS

:use an addition of

slag or other pozzolans to achieve

some of the properties of alkali or
sulfate resistance

BLASTFURNACE CEMENT
FLY ASH CEMENT
POZZOLAN CEMENT
OTHER BLENDED CEMENTS

MASONARY CEMENT
bonding brick or block

c) OIL WELL CEMENTS

mortar

PORTLAND CEMENT

*Produced by grinding Clinker with addition of small quantity of

gypsum, air entraining agents and other agents.
Composed of minerals C3S, C2S, C3A and C4AF.

*Presence of more or less of these minerals impart the different

properties required in the Cement resulting different types of product
such as OPC,(33, 43, 53 grades), Low heat Cement, Sulphate Resisting
Cement, Rapid Hardening Cement, White Cement etc..
#OPC is used for all general construction works.

Portland cement are by far the most common type

of cements produced around the world. The most
widely used type is

ORDINARY PORTLAND CEMENT. Ordinary

Portland Cement is the cement obtained by grinding
Portland Clinker with the possible addition of a small
quantity of Gypsum, and not more than one percent

of Air Entraining Agents or other agents which have

proved not to be harmful.
This type of cement is further divided into
three categories i.e. 33 Grade OPC (IS:2691987), 43 Grade OPC (IS:8112-1989) and 53
Grade OPC (IS:12269 - 1987).

RAPID HARDENING CEMENT is a portland cement

that develops strength faster than ordinary portland
cement. It is manufactured by grinding the clinker
and gypsum finer in the cement mill. *Good clinker
quality is needed and the addition of gypsum is a
little higher to maintain setting time and increase
strength development.
* It is useful for repair works, cold weather & for early
demolding.

*Its early strength is due to higher C3S & C3A

content
SULFATE RESISTANT CEMENT is A hydraulic
cement having Sulphuric anhydride (SO3) more than
5% and made by inter-grinding a mixture of atleast
70% granulated blast furnace slag, Calcium Sulphate
and a small amount of Lime or Portland Clinker.
*used where a higher resistance is required to
sulfate-bearing waters.
*The cement composition has a lower content of
C3A, less than 8%.
*This Cement is highly resistant to sulphate and
beneficial where the concrete is exposed to the risk
of deterioration due to Sulphate attack.
*Used in construction where concrete will be
subjected to external sulfate attack chemical
plants, marine & harbor structures.

* During hydration C3A reacts with gypsum & water

to form ettringite. In hardened cement paste calciumalumino-hydrate can react with calcium&alumino
sulfates, from external sources, to form ettringite
which causes expansion & cracking.
* C-H and sulfates can react & form gypsum which
again causes expansion & cracking.
*

In Type V C3A is limited to 5%.

. LOW HEAT CEMENT is used where low heat

development during hardening is required, i.e. in
large concrete structures like dams. The rate of
strength development is lower than that of
ordinary portland cement. Although, the final
strength may be higher

Generates less heat during hydration & therefore gain of strength is slower.

In standards a maximum value of C3S &C3A & a minimum value for C2S are
placed.

It is used in mass-concrete and hot-weather concreting.

WHITE CEMENT is used where a white color is

wanted for a facade of buildings. It is manufactured
from raw materials with low content of iron chromium
and manganese.

b) COMPOSITE CEMENTS also known as blended

cements start with Portland cement clinker and
gypsum but also have the addition of another
material. Some additions become hydraulically
activated as they react with the Portland cement
clinker. To mention a few:
PORTLAND BLAST FURNACE SLAG CEMENT

is a cement made by grinding together portland

cement clinker and granulated blastfurnace slag in
the proper proportions.

*An intimately ground mixture of Portland Clinker and blat furnace slag with addition of
Gypsum and permitted additives.
*The proportion of slag varies from 25 % to 70 % depending upon the quality of Clinker and
slag.
*Has lower Heat of hydration and sulphate resisting properties.
*Useful in marine and coastal construction and mass concrete where the soil and water
contain higher Sulphates more than 3000 ppm.

PORTLAND POZZOLANA CEMENT

* Pozzolanic cements are produced by intimately

ground mixture of Portland Clinker, Pozzolan viz. Fly
Ash (Part I) or Burnt Clay (part II) and a small
quantity of Gypsum.
*A pozzolana is a material which is capable of
reacting with lime in the presence of water at
ordinary temperatures to produce cementitious
compounds

**The proportion of addition varies from 15 % to 35

%.
**Has a much lower heat of hydration and fairly
sulphate resistant and lower shrinkage on drying.
*** It is particularly useful in marine and hydraulic
construction and other mass concrete structures.

MASONARY CEMENT is a combination of portland

cement clinker, limestone, and a small addition of an
air-entraining agent to produce a more workable,
rapid hardening mortar than ordinary portland
cement. It can also be made by intergrinding
mixtures of portland cement with hydrated lime,
granulated slag, or other waterproofing agents with
inert fillers.

**Product obtained by inter grinding a mixture of

Portland Clinker with pozzolanic materials such as Fly
Ash & calcined Clay or inert materials such as
limestone, dolomite etc.
**It is characterized by certain physical properties
such as slow hardening, high workability and high
water retentivity.
**It is chiefly intended for use in masonary mortars
for brick, stone and concrete block masonary and for
plastering work.

c) OIL WELL CEMENTS

Oil well cements are used for cementing the steel
casing of gas & oil wells to the walls of the bore-hole
and to seal porous formations. Usually, portland
cements more coarsely ground than normal, with the

addition of special retarders to allow for slow-setting

conditions are used.
*It is suitable for use in high pressure and
temperature during drilling of Oil wells.
**This often contains retarders, coarser grinding and
reduced C3A content of Clinker.
***Used in Petroleum industry for cementing Gas and
Oil Wells at high temperatures and pressures

BIS Specification for Different Kind of Cements

Different Types of cements use and Advatages

Type I: Ordinary Portland Cement
Suitable to be used in general concrete construction when special properties are not
required.
Type II: Modified Portland Cement
Suitable to be used in general concrete construction. Main difference between Type I&II
is the moderate sulfate resistance of Type II cement due to relatively low C3A content
(%8). Since C3A is limited rate of reactions is slower and as a result heat of hydration
at early ages is less. *It is suitable to be used in small scale mass concrete like
retaining walls.
Type III: High Early Strength P.C.
Strength development is rapid.
3 days fc=7 days fc of Type I
It is useful for repair works, cold weather & for early demolding.
Its early strength is due to higher C3S & C3A content.
Type IV: Low Heat P.C

LOW HEAT CEMENT is used where low heat

development during hardening is required, i.e. in
large concrete structures like dams. The rate of
strength development is lower than that of
ordinary portland cement. Although, the final
strength may be higher

Generates less heat during hydration & therefore gain of strength is slower.

In standards a maximum value of C3S &C3A & a minimum value for C2S are
placed.

It is used in mass-concrete and hot-weather concreting.

Type V: Sulfate Resistant P.C.

SULFATE RESISTANT CEMENT is used where a higher

resistance is required to sulfate-bearing waters. The
cement composition has a lower content of C3A, less
than 8%.

Used in construction where concrete will be

subjected to external sulfate attack chemical
plants, marine & harbor structures.
i)

During hydration C3A reacts with gypsum &

water to form ettringite. In hardened cement
paste calcium-alumino-hydrate can react with
calcium&alumino sulfates, from external
sources, to form ettringite which causes
expansion & cracking.

ii)

C-H and sulfates can react & form gypsum

which again causes expansion & cracking.

*

In Type V C3A is limited to 5%.

Type IA, IIA, IIIA: Air Entrained Portland Cement

Only difference is adding an air-entraining agent to the cement during manufacturing to
increase freeze-thaw resistance by providing small sized air bubbles in concrete.
Portland Pozzolan Cement (P.P.C.)

By grinding & blending P.C. Clinker+Pozzolan+Gypsum

P.P.C. Produces less heat of hydration & offers higher sulfate resistance so it

can be used in marine structures & mass concrete.

However, most pozzolans do not contribute to strength at early ages.

The early strength of PPC is less.

Good 28 day strengths with a Type F fly ash are associated with..
A high alkali, high C3S and high C3A level of the cement.

A low cement free lime level.

The presence of a limestone mac.
A high ash fineness (low 45 micron residue).
Ash particle shape and glass content (rounded particles lower water demand in
concrete).

Portland Blast Furnace Slag Cement (P.B.F.S.C.)

By intergrinding B.F.S.+P.C. Clinker+Gypsum

This cement is less reactive (rate of gain of strength & early strength is less but
ultimate strength is same)

High sulfate resistance

Suitable to use in mass concrete construction

Unsuitable for cold weather concreting

Both P.P.C.&P.B.F.S.C. are called blended cements. Their heat of hydration & strength
development are low in early days. Because upon adding water C3S compounds start to
produce C-S-Hgels & CH. The Ch & the pozzolanic material react together to produce
new C-S-H gels. Thats why the early strength is low but the ultimate strength is the
same when compared to O.P.C.

Good 28 day strengths with slag are associated with..

relatively high fineness, high alkali, high C3S

and high free lime level of the cement.

The absence of a limestone mac.

A high fineness and high activity of the slag.

Advantages of Blended Cement

a. Better resistance to Chemical attack.
Ordinary Portland cement is prone to of attack
chemicals present in saline water area and thus leads
to cracks on the concrete, which can be avoided by
using Blended cements.
b. Better permeability.
High quality flyash in PPC with suitable admixtures
can yield very high strength, low permeability and
high durable concrete.
c. Low heat of hydration:

Portland Pozzolana cements have certain basic

advantages over the Ordinary Portland cement.
When water is added to Ordinary Portland Cement
the heat evolved during the reaction is more and
leads to cracks. Whereas, Portland Pozzolana is
having less heat of hydration, because of high quality
of fly ash mix.
d.Better strength at later ages:
As compared to Ordinary Portland Cement the
strength development at later ages of Portland
Pozzolana Cement is very high, due to the presence
reactive silica in the fly ash, which leads to the
formation of C-S-H and to the strength of the
concrete.
Ideal application areas.
Mass concrete works in Dams, Foundations and
retaining wall.

Foundations in aggressive environment.

Structures in marine / coastal environment.
Water proofing works.
Concrete constructions in hot climates.

Advantages of PSC

Maximum reduction in Heat of Hydration: Heat is

liberated due to chemical reaction when water is
added to cement. This is called "Heat of
hydration". Hydration leads to development of

cracks but it is reduced in case of PSC due to less

clinker content.

Low risk of Shrinkage: The total shrinkage,

drying plus autogenous of concrete containing slag
was lower than 100% Portland cement concrete.

Decrease of Pore Volume in Concrete: Pores are

formed due to evaporation of excess water used
for workability. PSC improves microstructure of
concrete and reduce the pore volume which will
result in denser concrete.

Improved Water Tightness: Use of PSC improves

the mineralogy of cement hydration product (C-SH) due to which the concrete becomes denser and
hence moisture cannot enter into Concrete.

High Impermeability: Increased impermeability

results in increased resistance against ingress of

moisture and gases, thereby increasing the life of

the structure.

High Flexural and Compressive Strength: PSC

has a positive effect on both the flexural and
compressive strength of concrete after 28 days.

Excellent resistance to Sulphate Attacks:

Portland Slag Cement (in required proportion)
offers an improved resistance to Sulphate attack
because of depletion of Ca(OH)2, lower C3A
content as well as improved water-tightness of
concrete.

Improved Corrosion Resistance: High chloride

diffusion affects the reinforcement steel and leads
to premature collapse. Concrete made with PSC
leads to increase in resistivity of concrete and
reduces diffusivity of chloride ions hence improving
corrosion resistance.

Increased resistance to Alkali-Silica Reaction

(ASR): Alkali-Silica Reaction is a chemical action
between the reactive silica contain in the
aggregates and Alkalies from the Cement. Alkalies
are consumed in the concrete with Slag during
.

hydration process thus reducing SR

White Portland Cement

W.P.C. s made from materials containing a little iron oxide & manganese oxide.

Fe2O3 + MnO 0.8%

To avoid contamination by coal ash, oil is used as fuel.

To avoid contamination by iron during grinding, instead of steel balls nickelmolybdenum alloys are used.

High Alumina Cement

The raw materials for H.A.C. s limestone and Bauxite (Al2O3 & Fe2O3)

These raw materials are interground & introduced in the kiln clinkered at 1600C. Then
the obtained material is ground to a fineness of 2500-3000 cm2/gr.

The oxide composition is quite different

Al2O3 40-45%
CaO 35-42%
Fe2O3 5-15%
SiO2 4-10%

Major compounds are CA & C2S

It is basically different from O.P.C. & the concrete made from this cement has very
different properties.

It has high sulfate resistance.

Very high early strength (emergency repairs)

About 80% of ultimate strength is obtained within 24 hours. But the strength is
adversely affected by temperature. The setting time is not as rapid as gain of strength.

Initial setting time is 4 hrs & final setting time is 5 hrs.

Type of Cement

Area of application

Product detail

Ordinary Portland

General purpose

Clinker and Gypsum

Marine and hydraulic construction

Clinker with Pozzolana Fly ash

Cement

Portland Pozzolana
Cement

Sulphate resisting
Portland Cement

and mass concrete structures.

Concrete aggressive water, soil, and

based, Burnt clay based.

C3A max 5%

gas.
C4AF +2C3A max- 20%
Sulphate content above 400 mg /Lt
of water,
More than 3000 mg/ Kg of air dry soil

C4AF+C2F Max- 20%

MgO Max- 6%,LOI Max 3%,IR
Max 0.75%

respectively.

SO3 - C3A < 8% - 2.3.

Oil-Well Cement

Suitable of high pressure and

Retarders, coarser grinding and

temperature, in sealing water

reduced C3A.

and gas pockets and setting

casings during drilling and
repair of oil wells

Hydrophobic Cement

It can be store in wet climatic

Clinker with additives such as

conditions

Oleicacid /rosin / Stearic

acid/ Pentachlorophenol
which will impart water
repelling property

White Portland
Cement

Architectural purposes and

C3S+C2S 80 82

decorative concrete work

C3A

15 18%

C4AF

1 1.5%

Masonry Cement

Plastering work

Clinker with pozzolanic material

and inert materials.

High Alumina Cement

Colder region for structural

construction

Low Heat Cement

Dam construction, massive support

column, Supporting walls.

High C3A. 7 Day strength 50 % of

28 days strength.

Heat of hydration 65 cal/grams

7 days, 75 cal/gr. after
28days
C3S Max - 35 %
C2S Min - 40 %
C3A Max 7%

Air Entraining

High way Construction,

Portland Cement

Air entraining agents Vinsol

resin, Darex, N- Tair,Airolan,

Higher resistance against chemical

Pozzolity,

attack of thawing salts (Nacl)

Degree of porosity varies from
2.5 to 7%, Mass concrete
3%, Highway 4.5%

Sulphate Resistance Cement (IS-12330):

As per BIS C3A content in SRC should be lees than 6 %. The last 12 month data collected for
OPC -43/53 garde indicate an average C3A contentin both cement upto 5.7 and 5.4 %
respectively . there fore SRc could be produced.

Railways Sleeper Grade Cement (TRS-T40):

as per BIS Sleeper grade cement is OPC-43/53 cement with Blain value more than 370 M2/Kg
and 7 days strength of 37.5 MPa ( equivalent to OPC Grade). Therefore sleeper grade cement
could be manufactured by fine grinding of exising clinker .

Oil Well Cement : IS 8229:1986

OPC -43/53 being produced at plant meet all the chemical composit requirement for Oil Well
cement accept that :

1. IR is on the higher side at 1.9 % as against BIS requirement for

Oil Well Cement at < 0.75 %

2. (2 C3A + C4AF) % is slightly higher at 25 % as compared to BIS

requirement of <24 %.
Physicalrequirement conforming to BIS requiremtn of Oil well cement can only be ascertained
after installation of Oil well testing facilities at he plant .there is a stringent requirement for
producing the oil weel cement testing facilities .Before attempting production of Oil Well
Cement , testing facilities have to be develop first.
High Alumina Cement for Structural use :( IS 6542:1989 )
The Cement characteristics parameters presently being manufactured does not confirm to
most of the BIS requirement for this category cement .
As per the literature many structures where high alumina cement was used have failed in
USA and hence this factor has to be care off while attempting for manufacturing High
Alumina cement . Production of high Alumina cement required suitable modification in
the raw mix to produces suitable Clinker