CEMENT

Cement
Acementisabinder,asubstanceusedinconstruction
thatsetsandhardensandcanbindothermaterials
together.Themostimportanttypesofcementareused
asacomponentintheproductionofmortarinmasonry,
andofconcrete,whichisacombinationofcementand
anaggregatetoformastrongbuildingmaterial .

History

Assyrians and Babylonians

were perhaps the first to use
clay as cementing materials.

Vitruvius, Roman scientist, is

believed to be the first to have the
known how about the chemistry
of the cementitious lime.

Joseph Aspdin ofYorkshire

(UK)wasthefirstintroduce
Portlandcementin1824.
Issac C. Johnson
-inventedthecementbyincreasing
temperatureatwhichthemixtureof
limestoneandclaywereburnedto
formclinker.
- Thisistheprototypeofthe
modernPortlandcement.

CEMENT
-adhesiveandcohesivematerial
whicharecapableofbonding
togetherparticlesofsolidmatter
intoacompactdurablemass.

CLASSIFICATION OF CEMENT
Hydraulic Cement- setandhardeninwater
-giveastableproduct
Non Hydraulic Cement- doesnotsetandhardeninwater
-unstableinwater

Hydraulic Cement

Non Hydraulic Cement

SOURCES OF
CEMENT

SOURCES OF CEMENT
Natural
-Romancement
-Pozzolanacement
-MedinaCement

Artificial
-Portlandcement
-SpecialCement

PORTLAND
CEMENT

PORTLAND CEMENT
acementingmaterialresembling
anaturalstonequarriedfrom
PortlandinUKPortlandcement.
productobtainedbyfinely
pulverizingclinkerproducedby
calciningtoincipientfusion,an
intimateandproperly
proportionedmixtureof
argillaceousandcalcareous
materials.

Chemical Composition of Portland Cement

Physical
Requirements

Method of
Testing

1. Fineness (Sp.
Surface in m2/kg)
2. Soundness

3. Setting time
Initial (min)
Final (max)
4. Compressive
strength
(MPa) not less
than
72 1 hr
168 2 hr
672 4 hr

Grade
33

43

53

Blaines air
permissibility

225

225

225

Le Chatelier
Apparatus
Autoclave

10mm

10mm

10mm

0.8%

0.8%

0.8%

30
600

30
600

30
600

16
22
33

23
33
43

27
37
53

Vicat apparatus

IS:10262 has classified the OPC grade-wise from A to

F based on 28 day compressive strength as follows.

Category

Strength (MPa)

32.5 37.5

37.5 42.5

42.5 47.5

47.5 52.5

52.5 57.5

57.5 62.5

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
OF RAW MATERIALS

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF RAW MATERIALS

Three constituents of hydraulic cements

Lime

In addition,

Ironoxide
Magnesia
Sulfurtrioxide
alkalis

Alumina

Silica

Chemical Composition of Portland Cement

Oxide

Function

Composition
(%)

CaO

Controls strength and soundness. Its

deficiency reduces strength and
setting time.

60-55

SiO2

Gives strength. Excess of it causes

slow setting.

17-25

Al2O3

Responsible for quick setting, if in

excess, it lowers the strength.

3-8

Fe2O3

Gives colour and helps in fusion of

different ingredients.

0.5-6

MgO

Imparts colour and hardness. If in

excess, it causes cracks in mortar
and concrete and unsoundness

0.5-4

Na2O + K2O

These are residues, and if in excess

cause efflorescence and cracking

0.5-1.3

TiO2
P2O5

1.0-0.4
0.1-0.2

Portland Cement Clinker

-isadarkgreynodular
materialmadebyheating
groundlimestoneandclay
atatemperatureofabout
1400C1500C.

COMPOSITION OF CEMENT CLINKER

Bogue compounds
-compoundsformedintheburningprocessthat

havethepropertiesofsettingandhardeninginthe
presenceofwater
-identifiedbybogue
-referredthiscompoundbyLe-chatelierand
Tornebohm

Bogue compounds
Alite
Belite
Celite
Felite

Composition of Cement Clinker

The Principal Mineral
Compounds in
Portland Cement

Formula

Name

Symbo
l

1. Tricalcium silicate

3CaO.SiO2

Alite

C3 S

2. Dicalcium Silicate

2CaO.SiO2

Belite

C2 S

3. Tricalcium Aluminate

3CaO.Al2 O3

Celite

C3 A

4. Tetracalcium Alumino
Ferite

4CaO.Al2 O3. Fe2 O3

Felite

C4AF

Tricalcium silicate

-thebestcementingmaterialsandiswellburntcement.
-about25%-50%(normallyabout40percent)ofcement
-renderstheclinkereasiertogrind,increasesresistancetofreezing
andthawing,hydratesrapidlygeneratinghighheatanddevelopanearly
hardnessandstrength.
-highercontent,increasestheheatofhydrationandsolubilityof
cementinwater
-theheatofhydrationis500Joule/gram

The Principal Mineral

Compounds in
Portland Cement

Formula

Name

Symbo
l

1. Tricalcium silicate

3CaO.SiO2

Alite

C3 S

2. Dicalcium Silicate

2CaO.SiO2

Belite

C2 S

3. Tricalcium Aluminate

3CaO.Al2 O3

Celite

C3 A

4. Tetracalcium Alumino
Ferite

4CaO.Al2 O3. Fe2 O3

Felite

C4AF

Dicalcium Silicate

-25%-40%ofcement(normallyabout32%)ofcement
-hydratesandhardensslowlyandtakeslongtimetoaddtothe
strength
-impartsresistancetochemicalattack
-increaseincontentrendersclinkerhardertogrind,reducesearly
strength,decreasesresistancetofreezingandthawingatearlyages
anddecreasesheatofhydrationis260Joule/grams.

The Principal Mineral

Compounds in
Portland Cement

Formula

Name

Symbo
l

1. Tricalcium silicate

3CaO.SiO2

Alite

C3 S

2. Dicalcium Silicate

2CaO.SiO2

Belite

C2 S

3. Tricalcium Aluminate

3CaO.Al2 O3

Celite

C3 A

4. Tetracalcium Alumino
Ferite

4CaO.Al2 O3. Fe2 O3

Felite

C4AF

Tricalcium Aluminate
-5%-11%(normallyabout10.5percent)ofcement
-rapidlyreactswithwater
-responsibleforflashsetoffinelygroundedclinker
-responsiblefortheinitialset,highheatofhydration
andhasgreatertendencytovolumechangecausing
cracking.
-Heathydrationof865Joule/grams

The Principal Mineral

Compounds in
Portland Cement

Formula

Name

Symbo
l

1. Tricalcium silicate

3CaO.SiO2

Alite

C3 S

2. Dicalcium Silicate

2CaO.SiO2

Belite

C2 S

3. Tricalcium Aluminate

3CaO.Al2 O3

Celite

C3 A

4. Tetracalcium Alumino
Ferite

4CaO.Al2 O3. Fe2 O3

Felite

C4AF

Tetracalcium Alumino Ferite

-about8-14%(normallyabout9%)ofcement
-responsibleforflashsetbutgeneratelessheat
- Haspoorestcementingvalue
- Raisingcontentreducesstrengthslightly
- Heathydrationis420Joules/gram

HYDRATION OF
CEMENT

HYDRATION OF CEMENT
- chemical reaction between cement and
water
- takes place between active components
(bogue cement) and water.
When the cement comes in contact with water,
the hydration products start depositing on the
outer periphery of the nucleus by hydrated
cement. This reaction proceeds slowly for 2-5

TheproductC-S-Hgelrepresentsthecalciumsilicate
hydratealsoknownastobermorite gel.
Thehydratedcrystalsareextremelysmallfibrous,
plateyortubularinshapevaryingfromlessthan2mm
to10mmormore.TheC-S-Hphasemakesup50to60
percentofthevolumeofsolidsinacompletelyhydrated
Portlandcementandisthereforethemostimportantin
determiningthepropertiesofthepaste.Thecalcium
hydroxidecrystalsalsoknownasPortlandite consists
of20-25percentvolumeofthesolidsinthehydrated
paste.

Itisformedintheprocessdissolveinwater
providinghydroxyl(OH-)ions,whichare
importantfortheprotectionofthe
reinforcementinconcrete.Thetwocrystal
typesbecomemoreheavilyinterlock
increasingthestrength,throughthemain
cementingactionisprovidedbythegel
whichoccupies2/3ofthetotalmassof
hydrate.

Rate of Hydration
ThereactionofcompoundC3Awithwaterisvery
fastandisresponsibleforflashsettingofcementand
thusitwillpreventthehydrationofC3SandC2S.
However,calciumsulphate(CaSO4)presentinthe
clinkerdissolvesimmediatelyinwaterandforms
insolublecalciumsulphoaluminate.Itdepositsonthe
surfaceofC3Aformingacolloidalmembraneand
consequentlyretardsthehydrationofC3A.

Rate of Hydration
TheamountofCaSO4isadjustedtoleavea
littleexcessofC3Atohydratedirectly.This
membraneintheprocessbreaksbecauseof
thepressureofthecompoundsformedduring
hydrationandthenagainC3Abecomesactive
inthereaction.

Rate of Hydration
The hardening of C3S can be said to
be catalyzed by C3A and C3S becomes
solely responsible for gain of strength
up to 28 days by growth and
interlocking of C-S-H gel. The increase
in strength at later age is due to
hydration of C2S.

ContributionofCement
CompoundstoStrengthof
Cement

RateofHydrationofPure
CementCompounds

WATER REQUIREMENT FOR HYDRATION

Aboutanaverage23percent(24percentC3S,21percent
C2S)ofwaterbyweightofcementisrequiredforcomplete
hydrationofPortlandcement.Thiswatercombineschemically
withthecementcompoundsandisknownasbound water.
Somequantityofwater,about15percentbyweightofcement,
isrequiredtofillthecementgelporesandisknownasgel
water.

WATER REQUIREMENT FOR HYDRATION

Therefore,atotalof38percentofwaterbyweight
ofcementisrequiredtocompletethechemical
reaction.Asamatteroffactwater/cementratioless
than0.38isverycommonforhighstrength
concretes.Ifexcesswaterispresent,itwillleadto
capillarycavities.

MANUFACTURE
OF CEMENT

MANUFACTURE OF CEMENT
Calcareousmaterials Argillaceousmaterials
-silicatesofalumina

-cementrockclay
shale

slate
-limestone
blastfurnace
-marl
slag
-chalk
-marineshell

PRODUCTION OF CEMENT
Dry Process
Thedryprocessisadoptedwhentherawmaterialsare
quitehard.Theprocessisslowandtheproductiscostly.

Wet Process
Theoperationsinthewetprocessofcementmanufacture
aremixing,burningandgrinding.Thecrushedraw
materialsarefedintoballmillandalittlewaterisadded.

Dry Process

RotaryKiln

TubeMills

Dry Process

Dry Process

Wet Process

BallMill

Wet Process

Wet Process

Test of Cement

TEST OF CEMENT
Testingofcementnotonlyshowsthat
whatwepaidiswhatwegetbutalsoto
forestallthepossibilityofafailure
throughtheuseofdefectivematerials.

Physical Test

PHYSICAL TEST
Physicaltestof:

fineness.
soundnessorconstancyofvolume
strength
timeofsetoractivity

FINENESS TEST

FINENESS TEST
Thedegreeoffinenessofcementisthemeasureofthe
meansizeofthegrainsinit.
three methods for testing fineness:
1. sieve methodusing90micron(9No.)sieve,
2. air permeability method NurseandBlainsmethodand
thesedimentationmethod
3. Wagner turbidimeter method

CONDITIONS AFFECTING FINENESS

chemical composition
degree of calcination
Clinker, high in iron or silica, is apt to be hard and
difficult to grind.
The same with a hard-burned clinker.
time of grinding
character of the pulverizing machinery
age (provided it does not absorb too much moisture)

IMPORTANCE OF
FINENESS
finercement
=moreisthestrength
=enhancedearlydevelopmentofstrength(ultimatestrengthisnotaffected)
=increaseincohesivenessoftheconcretemix
NOTE:
Ifthecementisgroundbeyondacertainlimit,itscementativepropertiesare
affecteddue
totheprehydrationbyatmosphericmoisture.
Finercementreactsmorestronglyinalkalireactiveaggregate.
waterrequirementandworkabilitywillbemoreleadingtohigherdrying
shrinkageandcracking

METHODS

Sieve Method

Procedure:
-take100gramsofcementsample
-air-setlumps,ifany,arebrokenwithfingers
-use90micronsieve
-sievefor15minutes

90micronsizesieve

Sieve Method
*The residue should not exceed the limits specified below:
Type of cement

Percentage of
residue by
weight

1. Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC)

10

2. Rapid Hardening Cement (RHC)

3. Portland Puzzolana Cement (PPC)

AIR PERMEABILITY METHOD

Thefinenessofcementisrepresentedbyspecificsurface
Totalsurfaceareaincm2pergramorm2perkilogramof
cement
MeasuredbyLea and Nurse apparatusorby wagner
turbidimeter.
Type of cement

Percentage
of residue
by weight

Specific surface
(m2/kg) not less
than

1. Ordinary Portland Cement

(OPC)

10

225

2. Rapid Hardening Cement

(RHC)

325

3. Portland Puzzolana Cement

300

Lea and Nurse apparatus

Wagner Turbidimeter

Lea and Nurse apparatus

2.1 Lea and Nurse apparatus essentially
consists of:
permeability test cellwherecementis
placedandairpressureisapplied
flowmetertodeterminethequantityofair
passingpersecondthroughitscapillarytube
perunitdifferenceofpressure
manometertomeasuretheairpressure.

Lea and Nurse apparatus

Procedure :
1. 20mmheightofcementsampleisplacedona
perforatedplate(40micronperforations)(apply
airpressure)
2. manometerisconnectedtothetopofthe
permeabilitycellandtheairisturnedon.
3. Thelowerendofthepermeabilitycellis
connectedtotheotherendofthemanometer.
4. Adjusttherateofflow(flowmetershowsa
pressuredifference(h2)of30-50cm)
5. Recordthereading(h1)inmanometer
6. Repeattheprocesstilltheratioh1/h2is
constant.

givenbytheexpression:

S=

L =thicknessofcementlayer

A =areaofcementlayer
d =densityofcement

=porosityofcement(0.475)
h2 =flowmeterreading
h1 =manometerreading

Kistheflowmeterconstantandisobtainedby

where
=viscosityofair
d1

=densityofkerosene

Q =quantityofairpassedpersecond

*the minimum specific surface for various cements

should be as specified in the Table.
Type of Cement

Specific Surface not Less

Than
cm2/g

Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC)

2250

Rapid Hardening Cement (RHC)

3250

Low Heat Cement (LHC)

3250

Portland Puzzolana Cement (PPC)

3000

High Alumina Cement (HAC)

2250

Supre Sulphate Cement (SSC)

4000

WAGNER TURBIDIMETER METHOD :

TURBIDIMETER developed
byL.A.Wagner
-usetoestimatethe
surfaceareaofonegramof
cement

WAGNER TURBIDIMETER METHOD :

Procedure:

1. dispersecementuniformlyina
rectangularglasstankfilledwithkerosene.
2. parallellightraysarepassedthroughthe
solutionwhichstrikethesensitivityplateof
aphotoelectriccell.
3. Takethereadingofthecurrentgenerated
bythecell(turbidityatagiveninstant)
4.Readingsareexpressedinsq.cmper
gram.

*the minimum specific surface for various cements

should be as specified in the Table.
Type of Cement

Specific Surface not Less

Than
cm2/g

Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC)

2250

Rapid Hardening Cement (RHC)

3250

Low Heat Cement (LHC)

3250

Portland Puzzolana Cement (PPC)

3000

High Alumina Cement (HAC)

2250

Supre Sulphate Cement (SSC)

4000

CONSISTENCY TEST

CONSISTENCY TEST
This is a test to estimate the
quantity of mixing water to form a
paste of normal consistency defined
as that percentage water
requirement of the cement paste,
the viscosity of which will be such
that the Vicats plunger penetrates
up to a point 5 to 7 mm from the
bottom of the Vicats mould.

CONSISTENCY TEST
IMPORTANCE :
The water requirement for
various tests of cement
depends on the normal
consistency of the cement,
which itself depends upon the
compound composition and
fineness of the cement.

Procedure:
1.mix300gofcementwith25%water
2.filledthemouldofVicatsapparatuswithpaste
3.smoothenedandleveledthesurfaceofthefilled
paste
4.loweredgentlythesquareneedle(10mmx10mm
)overthesurfaceofthe cementpaste(releasequickly)
5.Theplungerpiercesthecementpaste.
6.recordthereadingontheattachedscale
*whenreadingis5-7 mm fromthebottomofthe
mould,theamountofwateraddedis
considered as correct percentage of water for normal
consistency.

DETERMINATION OF
INITIAL AND FINAL
SETTING TIME

DETERMINATION OF INITIAL AND FINAL

SETTING TIME
SETTING-impliessolidificationoftheplasticcementpaste.
two stiffening states of the cement:
Initial setting time - the time taken by the paste to
stiffen
- the Vicats needle is not permitted to move down
through the paste within 5 0.5 mm measured from the
bottom of the mould.
final setting time - time after which the paste becomes

DETERMINATION OF INITIAL AND FINAL

SETTING TIME
Importance:
Initialsettingtime-definesthelimitofhandling.
-Usefulpropertiesofcementwillbelossif
placedinmouldsafterthistime.
Finalsettingtime-definesthebeginningofdevelopmentof
mechanicalstrength.
-liesinthefactthat
themouldscanberemovedafterthistime.

CONDITIONS AFFECTING SETTING TIME

factors influencing the setting properties of cement:
composition
percentageofretardant,
degreeofcalcination,
finenessofgrinding,
aerationsubsequenttogrindingclinker,
percentageofwaterusedtomakecementpaste,
temperatureofthemixingwater,cementandtheatmospherewhere
thecementpasteisplaced,
amountofmanipulationthepastereceives

Procedure:
1.Prepareaneatcementpaste(cementwith.85
timestheH2Oreq./pasteofstd.consistency)
2.Startrecordingthetimeusingstopwatch(start@
theinstantwaterisaddedtocement)(t1)
3.Completelyfilledthemouldwithcement
paste(surfaceislevelledsmoothwiththetopofthe
mould)
4.Thetestisconductedatroomtemperatureof27
2C.
5.Themouldwiththecementpasteisplacedinthe
Vicatsapparatusandtheneedleisloweredgentlyin
contactwiththetestblockandisthenquickly
released.

6.Theneedlepenetratesthetestblock;
RecordthereadingontheVicats
apparatusgraduatedscale.
7.Repeattheprocedureuntiltheneedle
failstopiercetheblock(about5mmfrom
thebottomofthemould)
8.Stopthewatchandrecordthetime
(initialsettingtime)(t2)
9.Thecementisconsideredtobefinally
setwhenuponapplyingtheneedlegently
tothesurfaceoftestblock,theneedle
makesanimpression,buttheattachment
failstodoso(t3)

Settingtimeisrapidwiththeincreaseofthefinenessofthe
cement
Adding1%ofwaterabovetherequiredfornormalconsistency

increaseinitialandfinalsettingtimeabout30minutes.
Cementstoredinwarmroomswillsetquicklycomparedto
thosestoredincoldplaces.
Coldwaterretardssetting
warmwateracceleratesetting
Continuoustrowelingofthecementwillpossiblydelaythe
settingtime.

SOUNDNESS TEST

SOUNDNESS TEST
Itisessentialthatthecementconcretedoesnotundergolargechangein
volumeaftersetting.Thisisensuredbylimitingthequantitiesoffreelimeand
magnesiawhichslakeslowlycausingchangeinvolumeofcement(knownas
unsound).
Test of soundness:
LeChatelier method
autoclave method
*For OPC, RHC, LHC and PPC it is limited to 10 mm, whereas for HAC and
SSC it should not exceed 5 mm

Importance:
It is a very important test to assure the quality of cement
since an unsound cement produces cracks, distortion
and disintegration, ultimately leading to failure.

Factors affecting soundness:

The main cause for unsoundness in Portland cement :
hydration of the uncombined lime encased
within the cement particles.
uncombined lime in cement
= under burning
the clinker or
= excess lime in the raw materials.

Method of
Soundness Test

LE CHATELIER METHOD
1. Placethemouldonaglasssheetandfilledwith
neatcementpaste.(gauging100gcementwith
0.78timestheH2Orequired)
2. Coverthemouldwithglasssheetandplaceda
smallweightatop.
3. Themouldisthensubmergedinthewaterat
temperatureof27-32C.After24hours,the
mouldis takenoutandthedistanceseparating
theindicatorpointsismeasured.

LE CHATELIER METHOD
4.Themouldisagainsubmergedinwater.
(boiledfor3hours.)
6.Removethemouldfromwaterandcoolit
down.
5.Thedistancebetweentheindicator
pointsismeasuredagain.
The difference between the two
measurements represents the
unsoundness of cement.

AUTOCLAVE TEST

AUTOCLAVE TEST
Anautoclave machineis
adevicethatsterilizes
laboratoryinstruments,
glasswareand
medicalequipmentbyusing
highlypressurizedsaturated
steamtoeffectivelykill
microorganisms.

Procedure:
1. Makea2525250mmspecimenmadewithneat
cementpaste.
2. After24hoursthemouldedspecimenisremovedfrom
themoistatmosphere,measuredforlength,andso
placedinanautoclaveatroomtemperaturethatthe
fourtidesofeachspecimenareatleastexposedto
saturatedsteam.
3. Thetemperatureoftheautoclaveisraisedatsucha
ratethatthegaugepressureofthesteamrisesto2.1
N/mm2in1to1hoursfromthetimetheheatis
turnedon.
4. Thepressureismaintainedfor3hours.
5. shutofftheheatsupplyandcooledtheautoclaveat
sucharatethatthepressureislessthan0.1N/mm2at
theendofthehour.

6. Theautoclaveisthenopenedandthetest
specimensareplacedinwaterat
temperatureof90C.
7. Graduallybroughtthetemp.downto
272Cin15minutes.
8. Thespecimensaremaintainatthis
temperaturefornext15minutesandare
thentakenout.
9. Measureagainthelengthofthespecimen.
*The difference in the two
measurements gives the unsoundness of
the cement.

DETERMINATION
OF STRENGTH

DETERMINATION OF STRENGTH
Cementhydrateswhenwaterisaddedtoitand
cohesionandsolidityisexhibited.Itbindstogetherthe
aggregatesbyadhesion.Thestrengthofmortarand
concretedependsuponthetypeandnatureofcement.
So,itshoulddevelopaminimumspecifiedstrengthifit
istobeusedinstructures.Cementistestedfor
compressiveandtensilestrengths

DETERMINATION OF STRENGTH
Conditions affecting strength:
Cementisverystrongatearlyagesifahighlimeorhighalumina
contentisthere.GypsumandPlasterofParisinsmallpercentages
alsotendtoincreasethestrengthslightly,butwhenpresentin
quantitieslargerthen3percent,thesesubstancesprovidevariable
effects.Theeffectoftheclinkercompoundsonstrengthhavealready
beendiscussedinSec5.4.Inadditiontotheeffectofcomposition,the
strengthofcementisgreatlyinfluencedbythedegreeofburning,the
finenessofgrinding,andtheaerationitreceivessubsequenttofinal
grinding.Anunderburntcementislikelytobedeficientinstrength.

Compressive strength
Compressivestrengthisthebasicdata
requiredformixdesign.Bythistest,the
qualityandthequantityofconcretecanbe
controlledandthedegreeofadulterationcan
bechecked.

1. Thetestspecimensare70.6mmcubeshaving
faceareaofabout5000sq.mm.Largesize
specimencubescannotbemadesincecement
shrinksandcracksmaydevelop.
2. Thetemperatureofwaterandtestroomshould
be272C.Amixtureofcementandstandard
sandintheproportion1:3byweightismixed
drywithatrowelforoneminuteandthenwith
wateruntilthemixtureisofuniformcolour.
3. Threespecimencubesareprepared.The
materialforeachcubeismixedseparately.The
quantitiesofcement,standardsandandwater
are185g,555gand(P/4)+3.5,respectively
whereP=percentageofwaterrequiredto
produceapasteofstandardconsistency.

4. Themouldisfilledcompletelywiththe
cementpasteandisplacedonthe
vibrationtable.Vibrationsare
impartedforabout2minutesata
speedof12000400perminute.
5. Thecubesarethenremovedfromthe
mouldsandsubmergedincleanfresh
waterandaretakenoutjustpriorto
testinginacompressiontesting
machine.Compressivestrengthis
takentobetheaverageoftheresults
ofthethreecubes.

6. Theloadisappliedstartingfrom
zeroatarateof35N/sq
mm/minute.Thecompressive
strengthiscalculatedfromthe
crushingloaddividedbythe
averageareaoverwhichtheload
isapplied.Theresultisexpressed
inN/mm2.Theminimumspecified
strengthforsomeofthecements
isgiveninthetable.

MinimumSpecifiedStrengthinN/mm 2

Type/Days

1 Day

3 Days

7 Days

28
Days

Ordinary Portland cement

(33)

16.0

22.0

33.0

Portland Puzzolana cement

16.0

22.0

33.0

Low heat Portland cement

10.0

16.0

35.0

Rapid Hardening cement

16.0

27.5

High Alumina cement

30.0

35.0

Tensile Strength:
The tensile strength may be determined by Briquette test method or by split
tensile strength test.

Importance:
The tensile strength of cement affords quicker indications of defects in the cement
than any other test. Also, the test is more conveniently made than the compressive
strength test. Moreover, since the flexural strength, is directly related to the tensile
strength this test is ideally fitted to give information both with regard to tensile and
compressive strengths when the supply for material testing is small.

BRIQUETTE METHOD
A mixture of cement and sand is gauged in the proportion of 1:3 by weight. The
percentage of water to be used is calculated from the formula (P/5) + 2.5, where P =
percentage of water required to produce a paste of standard consistency. The
temperature of the water and the test room should be 27 2C. The mix is filled in
the moulds of the shape shown in Fig. 5.11.
After filling the mould, an additional heap of mix is placed on the mould and is
pushed down with the standard spatula, until the mixture is level with the top of the
mould. This operation is repeated on the other side of the mould also. The briquettes in
the mould are finished by smoothing the surface with the blade of a trowel. They are
then kept for 24 hours at a temperature of 27 2C and in an atmosphere having 90
per cent humidity. The briquettes are then kept in clean fresh water and are taken out
before testing. Six briquettes are tested and the average tensile strength is calculated.
Load is applied steadily and uniformly, starting from zero and increasing at the rate of
0.7 N/sq mm of section in 12 seconds

HEAT OF HYDRATION
Heat is evolved during hydration of cement, the amount being dependent on the relative
quantities of the clinker compounds.

Importance:
The evolution of heat causes an increase in temperature of the concrete, being
greatest in mass concreting. Since the cooling of a mass of concrete can only
occur from surfaces exposed to atmosphere the temperature of the interior is
higher than that at the surface and also there is a rapid increase in strength in the
interior than at the surface. Shrinkage cracks may result from stresses, induced by
cooling of the surface while the interior of concrete is still at higher temperature.
However, in practice, the heat evolution may be taken to its advantage in cold
weather provided the concrete is warm at the time of placing and excessive heat
loss is prevented by suitable lagging.

Procedure:
The apparatus used to determine the heat of hydration of cement is known as
calorimeter and is shown in Fig. 5.12. 60 g of cement and 24 ml of distilled water are
mixed for 4 minutes at temperature 1525C. Three specimen glass vials 100 20
mm are filled with this mixture, corked and sealed with wax. The vials are then
stored with the mixture in a vertical position at 272 C. The heat of hydration is
obtained by subtracting the respective heat of solution of unhyrated cement
calculated nearest to 0.1 calorie.

For determining the heat of solution of unhydrated cement, weigh a sample of about 3 g. At
the same time, weigh out 7.0 g of cement for the loss on ignition. The heat of solution is
calculated as

Heat of solution (Cal/g) of unhydrated cement

where 0.2 is the specific heat of unhydrated cement.

For determining heat of solution of the hydrated cement, one of the glass vials is opened
and the adherent wax is removed. The cement is ground rapidly, to avoid carbonation, to
pass an 850 micron sieve. From this weigh out 4.2 g and 7.0 g of cement samples for heat of
solution and loss on ignition.

The heat of solution of hydrated

cement
(Cal/g ignited weight)

The ignition loss can be obtained by placing the sample in a cool furnace and
raising the temperature of the furnace to 900C over a period of 1 hour. The sample
is kept at 900 50C for 3-4 hours and then cooled in a desiccator containing
anhydrous calcium chloride. Weigh after half an hour. The difference in the two
weighings give the loss on ignition.

To determine the heat capacity sufficient quantity of zinc oxide is ignited for one hour at
900 50C. It is cooled in a desiccator containing anhydrous calcium chloride and ground
to pass 250 micron sieve. About 7 g of this ignited oxide is reheated to 900 50C for 5
minutes and then cooled for about 2 hours (not more than 5 hours). The calorimeter is
assembled and temperature reading correct to 0.001C is recorded to determine the initial
heating or cooling correction. The zinc oxide is then introduced. The temperature readings
are recorded at one minute intervals until the solution is complete. The recording of
readings is continued for next 5 minutes to determine the final heating or cooling
correction. The initial and final heating or cooling rates against the corresponding
calorimeter temperature are plotted. The two points thus obtained are joined by a straight
line. From this graph the corrections are read off for each temperature reading during the
solution period.

Heat capacity is calculated from the expression.

Heat capcity (Cal/C)

where, 256.1 is the heat of solution of zinc oxide at 30C and 0.2 the negative
temperature coefficient of the heat of solution, is the final temperature of the
calorimeter, 0.1 is the specific heat of zinc oxide and is the room temperature in C.

SPECIFIC GRAVITY TEST

The specific gravity of hydraulic cement is obtained using Le-Chatelier flask shown in
Fig. 5.13.

Conditions Affecting Specific Gravity:

Long seasonig is the chief cause of a low specific gravity in unadulterated cement.
This is because the freshly ground cement when exposed to air rapidly absorbs
moisture and carbon dioxide. Cements with high contents of iron oxide have a higher
specific gravity. The effect of fineness of grinding upon specific gravity is slight. Very
finely ground cements are likely to have lower specific gravities

Procedure:
The flask is filled with either kerosene free of water, or naphtha having a specific
gravity not less than 0.7313 to a point on the stem between zero and 1-ml mark. The flask
is immersed in a constant temperature water bath and the reading is recorded. A weighed
quantity of cement (about 64 g of Portland cement) is then introduced in small amounts at
the same temperature as that of the liquid. After introducing all the cement, the stopper is
placed in the flask and the flask rolled in an inclined position, or gently whirled in a
horizontal circle, so as to free the cement from air until no further air bubbles rise to the
surface of the liquid. The flask is again immersed in the water-bath and the final reading is
recorded. The difference between the first and the final reading represents the volume of
liquid displaced by the weight of the cement used in the test.
Specific gravity =

TYPES OF CEMENT

RAPID HARDENING PORTLAND CEMENT

(IS: 8041)
hashighlimecontent
normallyobtainedfromOPCclinkerbyfinergrinding
(450m2/kg)
thebasisishardeningpropertiesandheatemission
ratherthansettingrate.
itissubjectedtolargeshrinkageandwater
requirementforworkabilityismore
thecostisabout10percentmorethantheordinary
cement.
canbesafelyexposedtofrost,sinceitmaturesmore
quickly.

PROPERTIES
Initial setting time
30 minutes (minimum)
Final setting time
10 hours (maximum)
Compressive strength
1 day
16.0 N/mm2
3 day
27.5 N/mm2
USES:
forrepairofroadsandbridges
whenloadisappliedinashortperiodoftime.

HIGH ALUMINA CEMENT

(IS: 6452)

thealuminacontentshouldnotbelessthan
32%.
theresultantproductisgroundfinely
themaincementingredientismonocalcium
aluminateCA
thedicalciumhydroaluminategelconsolidates
andthehydrationproductscrystallise
therateofconsolidationandcrystallisationis
high
thecementhasgoodsulphateresistance.

CompositionofaTypicalHighAlumina
Cement
COMPOSITION
Al2O3, TiO2
Fe2O3, FeO, Fe3O4
CaO
SiO2
MgO
SO3
Insoluble material
Loss on ignition

PERCENTAGE
43.5
13.1
37.5
3.8
0.3
0.4
1.2
0.2

PROPERTIES
Initial setting time

30 minutes even up to 2 hours

(minimum)

Final setting time

600 minutes (maximum)

Fineness

>225 m2/kg

Expansion

>5mm

Compressive strength
1 day

30.0 N/mm2

3 day

35.0N/mm2

USES:
resistanttotheactionoffire,seawater,acidicwaterandsulphates
usedasrefractoryconcrete,inindustries
usedwidelyforpre-casting
shouldnotbeusedinplaceswheretemperatureexceeds18C

SUPERSULPHATED PORTLAND CEMENT

(IS: 6909)
manufacturedbyintergrindingorintimatelyblendingamixtureofgranulated
blastfurnaceslagnotlessthan70percent,calciumsulphateandsmall
quantityof33gradePortlandcement
tricalciumaluminatewhichissusceptibletosulphatesislimitedtolessthan3.5
percent
Sulphateresistingcementmayalsobeproduced
usedonlyinplaceswithtemperaturebelow40C
WaterresistanceishigherthanthatofcommonPortlandcements
InsupersulphatePortlandcementsthelatterisboundbyslagintocalcium
hydroaluminatesoflowsolubilityandcalciumhydrosilicatesoflowbasicity
hassatisfactoryfrostandairresistances,butitislessresistantthanconcrete
fromPortlandcement.

PROPERTIES
Initial setting time
>30 minutes
Final setting time
<600 minutes
Fineness
400 m2/kg
Expansion
5 mm
Compressive strength
72 1 hour
15 N/mm2
168 2 hours
22N/mm2
672 4 hours
30N/mm2
Haslowheatofhydrationandisresistanttochemicalattacks
andinparticulartosulphate.

USES:
Higherwater-resistingproperty
Example:
RCCpipesingroundwater,
concretestructuresinsulphatebearingsoils,
sewerscarryingindustrialeffluents,
concreteexposedtoconcentratedsulphatesofweakmineral
acids
usedinconstructionsexposedtofrequent
freezing-and-thawingormoistening-and-dryingconditions

SULPHATE RESISTING PORTLAND

CEMENT
(IS: 12330)

theamountoftricalciumaluminateisrestrictedto
onacceptablylowvalue(<5)
Itshouldnotbemistakenforsupersulphated
cement
manufacturedbygrindingandintimatelymixing
togethercalcareousandargillaceousand/orother
silica,aluminaandironoxidebearingmaterials
Materialsareburnttoclinkeringtemperature
Nomaterialisaddedafterburningexcept
gypsumandnotmorethanonepercentofairentrainingagentsareadded.

PROPERTIES
Initial setting line
>30 mm
Final setting line
<600 mm
Fineness
400 m2/kg
Expansion
5 mm
Compressive strength
72 1 hour
10 N/mm2
168 2 hours
16 N/mm2
672 4 hours
33 N/mm2

USES:
usedasanalternativetoorderPortlandcementorPortland
pozzolanacementorPortlandslagcementundernormal
conditions
restrictedwheretheprevailingtemperatureisbelow40C
beneficialinthefollowingconditions:
concreteisexposedtotheriskofdeteriorationdueto
sulphateattack
concreteincontactwithsoilsorgroundwaters
containing
excessivesulphateaswellas
concreteinseawaterorexposeddirectlytoseacoast

PORTLAND SLAG CEMENT (IS: 455)

ItismanufacturedeitherbyintimatelyintergrindingamixtureofPortland
cementclinkerandgranulatedslagwithadditionofgypsumorcalciumsulphate,
orbyanintimateanduniformblendingofPortlandcementandfinelyground
granulatedslag
Slag
-non-metallicproductconsistingessentiallyofglasscontainingsilicates
andaluminosilicatesoflimeandotherbases,asinthecaseofblast-furnace
slag
Granulatedslag
-obtainedbyfurtherprocessingthemoltenslagbyrapidchillingor
quenchingitwithwaterorsteamandair
Theslagconstituentinthecementvariesbetween25to65percent

Initial setting time

Initial setting time

Final setting time

Final setting time
Specific surface
Specific surface
ExpansionExpansion

PROPERTIES
PROPERTIES
30 minutes
30 minutes

600 minutes
600 minutes
2
225
225
m2m
/kg /kg
<10
mm
and and
0.8 per
cent
<10
mm
0.8
per cent

Compressive
strength
Compressive
strength
72 1 hour
16 N/mm2
2
72 1 hour
16 N/mm
168 2 hours
22 N/mm2
2
168 2 hours
22N/mm
N/mm
2
672 4 hours
33
672 4 hours
33 N/mm2
USES:
usedinallplaceswhereOPCisused
usedformassconcreting
example:
dams
foundations

LOW HEAT PORTLAND CEMENT

(IS: 12600)

tricalciumaluminatecomponentincementisminimised
andahighpercentageofdicalciumsilicateand
tetracalciumaluminoferriteisaddedtolimittheheatof
hydration
Theheatofhydrationshouldnotbemorethan272and
314J/gattheendof7and28daysrespectively.
specificsurfaceofcementisincreasedtoabout3200
cm2/g

PROPERTIES
Initial setting time
Final setting time
Expansion
Compressive strength
72 1 hour
168 2 hours
672 4 hours

60 minutes
600 minutes
>10mm and 0.8%
10 N/mm2
16 N/mm2
35 N/mm2

USE:
Itismostsuitableforlargemassconcreteworkssuch
asdams,largeraftfoundations

PORTLAND PUZZOLANA
CEMENT
(IS: 1489 (Part I):

manufacturedbygrindingPortlandcementclinkerandpuzzolana
(usuallyflyash10-25%bymassofPPC)orbyintimatelyand
uniformlyblendingPortlandcementandfinepuzzolana
Puzzolana(burntclay,shale,orflyash)hasnocementingvalue
itselfbuthasthepropertyofcombiningwithlimetoproducea
stablelime-puzzolanacompoundwhichhasdefinitecementitious
properties
thehardeningofPortlandpuzzolanacementconsistsinhydration
ofPortlandcementclinkercompoundsandthenininteractionof
thepuzzolanawithcalciumhydroxidereleasedduringthe
hardeningofclinker

PROPERTIES
Initial setting time
30 minutes
Final setting time
600 minutes
Fineness
300 m2/kg
Drying shrinkage
0.15%
Compressive strength
72 1 hour
16 N/mm2
168 2 hours
22 N/mm2
672 4 hours
33 N/mm2

USE:
Ithaslowheatevolutionandisusedintheplacesofmass
concretesuchasdamsandinplacesofhightemperature

QUICK SETTING PORTLAND CEMENT

thequantityofgypsumisreducedandsmallpercentageof
aluminiumsulphateisadded
ItisgroundmuchfinerthanordinaryPortlandcement
PROPERTIES
Initial
5 minutes
setting time
USE:

Final setting 30 minutes

time

Itisusedwhenconcreteistobelaidunder
waterorinrunningwater

MASONRY CEMENT (IS 3466)

ThePortlandcementclinkerisground
andmixedintimatelywithpozzolanic
material(flyashorcalcinedclay),or
non-pozzolanic(inert)materials
(limestone,conglomrates,dolomite,
granulatedslag)andwastematerials
(carbonatedsludge,minetailings)and
gypsumandairentrainingplasticizerin
suitableproportions.

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
1. Fineness: Residue on 45-micron IS Sieve, Max, Percent (by wet
sieving)

15

2. Setting Time (by Vicat Apparatus)

(a) Initial, Min

90 min

(b) Final, Max

24 h

3. soundness:
(a) Le-Chatelier expansion,Max

10 mm

(b) Autoclave expansion , Max

1 percent

4. Compressive Strength: Average strength of not less than 3 mortar cubes of 50 mm

size, composed of 1 part masonry cement and 3 parts standard sand by volume, Min
7 days
28 days

2.5 Mpa
5 Mpa

5. Air Content: Air content of mortar composed of 1 part masonry 6 percent

cement and 3 parts standard sand by volume, Min
6. Water Retention: Flow after suction of mortar composed of 1
part masonry cement and 3 parts standard sand by volume, Min

60 percent of
original flow

WHITE AND COLOURED PORTLAND

CEMENT
(IS: 8042)

Itismanufacturedfrompurewhitechalkandclay
freefromironoxide
Colouredcementsaremadebyadding5to10per
centcolouringpigmentsbeforegrinding.
non-stainingbecauseoflowamountofsoluble
alkalis
Sodiumaluminofluorideisaddedduringburning
whichactsasacatalystinplaceofiron
Compressive
Strength
PROPERTIES:
Lossonignitionofwhite
72 1
14.4
cementisnil
hour
N/mm2
168 2
19.8

USES:

Cementsareusedformaking:
terrazzoflooring
faceplasterofwalls(stucco)
ornamentalworks
castingstones

AIR ENTERTAIINING CEMENT

Vinsolresinorvegetablefatsandoilsandfatty
acidsaregroundwithordinarycement
Thesematerialshavethepropertytoentrain
airintheformoffinetinyairbubblesin
concrete.

PROPERTIES:
Minutevoidsareformedwhilesettingofcementwhich
increasesresistanceagainstfreezingandscalingactionofsalts.
improvesworkabilityandwater/cementratiocanbereduced
whichinturnreducesshrinkage,etc.
USE:
usedforthesamepurposesasthatofOPC.

CALCIUM CHLORIDE CEMENT

Itisalsoknownasextrarapid
hardeningcementandismadeby
adding2percentofcalciumchloride
itisdeliquescent
shouldbeconsumedwithinamonthof
itsdispatchfromthefactory

PROPERTIES:
Therateofstrengthdevelopmentisaccelerated;a
higherpercentageofcalciumchloridecausesexcessive
shrinkage.
Strengthgainedafter1dayis25percentmoreand
after7daysabout20percentmorethantheordinary
Portlandcement
USE:
Itisverysuitableforcoldweathers

WATER REPELLENT CEMENT

(IS: 8043)

Itisalsocalledhydrophobiccement
Asmallamountofhydrophobicsurfactantssuch
asstearicacid,boricacidoroleicacidismixed
withtheordinaryPortlandcementduringgrinding
ofclinker.
Theseacidsformathin(monomolecular)film
aroundthecementparticleswhichpreventthe
entryofatmosphericmoisture.

Compressive Strength
72 1 hour
15.69 N/mm2
168 2 hours
21.57 N/mm2
672 4 hours
30.40 N/mm2
Thespecificsurfaceofhydrophobiccementshouldnotbelessthan350m 2/kg.
Theweakpointsofhydrophobiccementareitssmallstrengthgainduringthe
initialperiodbecauseofthehydrophobicfilmsoncementgrainswhichpreventthe
interactionwithwater,butits28-daystrengthisequaltothatofordinaryPortland
cement.
USE:
Itismostsuitableforbasementsandformakingwatertightconcrete

WATER PROOF CEMENT

ItismanufacturedbyaddingstrearatesofCaandAlandgypsumtreated
withtannicacidatthetimeofgrinding.
PROPERTY
ItismanufacturedbyaddingstrearatesofCaandAlandgypsumtreated
withtannicacid,etc.atthetimeofgrinding.
USES:
Waterretainingstructureslike:
tanks
reservoirs
retainingwalls
swimmingpools
bridgepiers

STORAGE OF CEMENT

Portlandcementiskeptinsacksof0.035m3(50kg)
capacityforlocaluse
Thesearestoredforshortperiodoftimeinairtightroom
avoidingmoistureanddampness,atsomedistancefrom
wallsandatsomeheightfromfloors
Thestackshouldbecoveredwithsuitablecoveringsto
avoidcirculationofairthroughthestackandnotmore
thantenbagsshouldbestackedoneoveranother