Types of Cement: 10 Types and Their Usage in Construction

Knowing about cement is a must for engineers for the matter of construction and designing the structure. There are several types of cement used in construction. One type of cement can be used for the construction of acid-resistant structures while other types may be used fr In this article, we will see about the types of cement, grades of cement and their uses

What is Cement?

Cement is a binding material for concrete. It is used with other materials like fine and coarse aggregates along with water to produce cement concrete, and only with fine aggregates and water to make cement mortar. Cement is the main ingredient that contributes to the strength of the concrete. 

The cement is produced by burning a mixture of calcareous (calcium) and argillaceous (clay) material at a very high temperature. The mixture of calcareous and argillaceous forms a clinker. Clinker is then crushed to produce a fine powder called cement.  It was first produced by  Joseph Aspdin in England in 1824 and then he coined the term Portland Cement. He obtained a patent for Portland Cement. “Portland cement” is a generic term used to describe any type of hydraulic cement.

The basic raw materials used for manufacturing cement are limestone, sand, clay, shale and iron ore.

Types of Cement

As per the composition and properties of the cement, it is classified as follows: –

1. Ordinary Portland Cement
2. Portland Pozzolana Cement
3. Quick Setting Cement
4. Rapid Hardening Cement
5. White Portland Cement
6. Blast Furnaces Slag Cement
7. Low Heat Cement
8. Sulphate Resisting Cement
9. High Alumina Cement
10. Super Sulphated Cement

Ordinary Portland Cement (IS: 269-1989)

Ordinary Portland Cement is obtained by burning calcareous and argillaceous at high temperatures. The colour of the cement is grey with a greenish shade. Its initial setting time is not less than 30 minutes and the final setting time is 10 hours. It is used in almost every concrete work. 

Read more on: Ordinary Portland Cement: Properties, Composition, Manufacturing And Uses

Portland Pozzolana Cement (IS: 1489, part I & II-1991)

Portland Pozzolana Cement is produced by grinding a mixture of Portland cement clinker and Pozzolana with the addition of calcium sulphate or gypsum. This cement generates less heat of hydration. It takes a longer time to gain strength. It can be used for all types of mass concrete works and marine works.

Read more on: Portland Pozzolana Cement: Properties, Advantages, Uses

Quick setting Cement (IS: 8041-1990)

This cement sets at a much faster rate than ordinary Portland cement. Its initial setting time is 5minute and the final setting time is about 30 minutes. This action can be achieved by adding a small amount of aluminium sulphate to the cement during the process of grinding of clinkers. This cement is used where concrete is to be laid under water, in ruining water, or in water-logged areas. Repair works of piers of bridges etc.

Rapid hardening Portland cement (IS: 8041-1990)

This type of cement has the same initial and final setting times as that of OPC but it attains high strength in the early days due to high lime content. It contains a high percentage of tricalcium silicate (Ca3SiO5) to the extent of 56%. It is costlier than OPC. This type of cement is used for those structures which are loaded in a short time. Used in precast and repair elements. 

White Portland Cement

White Portland Cement is manufactured from white chalk and clay. The propriety of the cement is the same as Portland cement and has the appearance of a white colour. It is used for face plastering of walls, terrazzo flooring, traffic curbs, aerodrome markings and other ornamental works.

Read more on: White Portland Cement: Properties, Applications, Advantages, Disadvantages

Blast Furnace Slag Cement

Blast furnace slag is a waste product obtained during the manufacture of iron. The slag is first crushed to granulated form and mixed thoroughly with cement clinker. The product formed is known as Blast furnace slag cement.

Blast furnace slag cement is used for a massive structure such as dams, foundations, bridges abutments retaining walls etc. This cement should not be used in the reinforced concrete structure.

Low Heat Cement (IS: 12600-1989)

Low-heat cement produces much less heat during cement hydration and setting than ordinary cement. Its initial setting and final setting time are almost the same as that of ordinary cement. It also has a lower rate of strength development compared to OPC. It is not suitable for use in ordinary structures.

Sulphate Resisting Cement

In sulphate-resisting cement, the quantity of tricalcium aluminate is strictly limited. They are normally ground finer than Portland cement. The action of sulphates is to form sulphoaluminates which have expansive properties and so cause the disintegration of the concrete. The sulphate-resisting cement should be allowed to harden in the air for as long as possible to allow a resistant skin to be formed through carbonation by the action of atmospheric carbon dioxide.

High Alumina Cement (IS: 6452)

It is manufactured by melting a mixture of aluminium ore and lime and grinding the resulting clinker. Its initial setting time is more than three and a half hours and the final setting time is five hours. It generates more heat during setting, hence it cannot be used for massive structures such as dams, bridges, etc. However, it can be used for emergency repair work.

Super Sulphated Cement (IS: 6909)

Super Sulphated Cement is made from well-granulated blast furnace slag (80 to 85%), calcium sulphate (10 to 15%) and Portland cement (1 to 2%), and is ground finger than the Portland cement. The important property of cement is that it has low total heat of hydration, which is why it is used for mass concrete works, the construction of dams, etc. The additional advantage of cement is comparatively high resistance to chemical attack.

The concrete made from this cement may expand if cured in water and may shrink if the concrete is cured in air

Grade of Cement

The cement grade is classified depending on the compressive strength of the cement, which is tested after 28 days. The various grades of cement as specified by IS 1489: 1991 are listed below. This list is for the Ordinary Portland Cement (POC):

Strength of Cement	3 days	7 days	28 days
33 grade	16 N/mm2	22 N/mm2	33 N/mm2
43 grade	23 N/mm2	33 N/mm2	43 N/mm2
53 grade	27 N/mm2	37 N/mm2	53 N/mm2

The compressive strength of the cement is tabulated below. The test is conducted on three occasions for three different grades of cement. Cement has multiple uses in the construction field. However, due to their grade, they are used for different activities or components of construction elements. The following are the uses of different grades of cement: –

Uses of Different Grades of Ordinary Portland Cement

33 Grade of OPC: –

Ordinary Portland cement of grade 33 shall conform to IS IS 269: 1989. This cement achieves its grade of 33N/mm² at 28 days when provided with proper curing.

• It is used in all kinds of RCC and PCC works. 
• Used in precast and pre-stress concrete works
• It is preferred for the construction of bridges and culverts.
• It can be used for the construction of silos and chimneys.

43 Grade of OPC: –

43 grade of OPC shall conform to IS: 8112-1989. The designed strength at 28 days shall be a minimum of 43 MPa or 430 kg/sqm. Even though 43-grade cement’s early strength is less as compared to that of 53 Grade, with time it will attain the same ultimate strength as that of 53-grade cement.

• Used for P.C.C. and R.C.C. works up to M30 grade of concrete.
• Ready Mix Concrete (RMC) is prepared by using 45 grids of Ordinary Portland cement.
• Civil structure line multistoried buildings, bridges, silos and chimneys are constructed using this grade of cement.
• Used in producing Pre-cast items such as curbs, blocks, tiles, sheets, pipes etc.
• Prestress structures are also constructed using it.
• Non-structural work such as plastering, floor finishing, etc. is done using this grade of cement.

53 Grade of OPC: –

This grade can be used in works which require less compressive strength 53N/mm² or for work which requires less than the M30 grade of concrete.

• Due to its higher grade, it is used in the construction of industrial buildings.
• Used for casting slippers for railways.
• It is used for the construction of bridges and culverts.
• It is used for the construction of Structure members like Beams, Columns, footings and slabs.

Also, read: Comparison Between OPC And PPC Cement: Point Of Similarities And Differences

IS Code Reference of Grade of Concrete.

• 33 grade: – IS 269: 1989.
• 43 grade: – IS 8112: 1989.
• 53 grade: – IS 12269: 1987.

Storage of Cement

The cement is packed in bags, drums or silos. In case of receiving in bags at the site the following points should be kept in mind:

• It should be stored in a building/store or shed which is dry, leakproof and moisture-proof as possible.
• The building or store should have minimum openings, windows and doors.
• The opening should remain closed for most of the time
• Bags should be stacked on wooden floors up to 10 bags in height.

Read more on: Storage Of Cement At Site Effectively: Best Practices For Storage Duration, Location, And Precautions

Admixture

Sometimes ingredients other than cement, fine and coarse aggregate, and an additional ingredient are added to improve the physical and chemical properties of the concrete. These ingredients are known as admixtures.

Also, read: Fine Aggregate for Concrete: 3 Classification, Properties and Characteristics

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