by following ways :
Use of additives
Changing chemical composition
Use of different raw material
Following are the various kinds of cement
that are available:
ORDINARY PORTLAND
CEMENT(OPC)
It is the most commonly used cement in
general concrete construction when there is
no exposure to sulphates in the soil or
groundwater.
Classified based on the 28 days strength as
follows:
GRADE STRENGTH(N/mm2 )
33 ≥33
43 ≥43
53 ≥53
RAPID HARDENING CEMENT
Gains strength faster than OPC. In 3 days
develops 7 days strength of OPC with
same water cement ratio.
After 24 hours – not less than 16 N/mm2
After 72 hours – not less than 27.5 N/mm2
Initial and final setting times are same as
OPC.
Contains higher C3S,lower C2S and finely
ground(≥3250 cm2/gm)-contributing to
rapid strength development.
Emits more heat during setting,
therefore unsuitable for mass
concreting.
Lighter and costlier than OPC. Short
curing period makes it economical.
Used for structures where immediate
loading is required e.g. repair works,
pre-fabricated concrete construction, in
cold weather concreting.
EXTRA RAPID HARDENING
CEMENT
Obtained by intergrinding calcium chloride
with rapid hardening cement.
Calcium chloride ≤ 2% of weight of RHC.
Initial setting time – 20 min
Strength is 25% greater than RHC at 24 hrs
and 10-20 % greater at 7 days.
90 days strength is same as OPC
Suitable for cold weather concreting as it
sets and hardens fast and huge amount of
hydration heat is evolved in a short time.
SULPHATE RESISTING CEMENT
Percentage of tri-calcium aluminates (C3A) is
kept below 5% resulting in increase in resisting
power against sulphates.
2 C3A + C4AF should not exceed 25%
Heat developed is almost same as Low Heat
Cement.
Theoretically ideal cement. Costly
manufacturing because of stringent composition
requirements.
Used for structures likely to be damaged by
severe alkaline conditions like bridges, culverts,
canal lining, siphons, sewage treatment and
pipelines in sulphate bearing soils etc.
PORTLAND SLAG CEMENT
Produced by mixing Portland cement clinker,
gypsum and granulated blast furnace slag.
Cheaper than OPC, blackish grey in colour.
Lesser heat of hydration. Initial setting in 1 hr
and final setting 10 hrs.
Better resistance to soil agents, sulphates of
alkali metals, alumina, iron and acidic waters.
Suitable for marine works, mass concreting.
Due to low early strength, not suitable for
RCC.
QUICK SETTING CEMENT
Sets faster than OPC.
Initial setting time is 5 minutes.
Final setting time is 30 minutes.
Used for concreting underwater and in
running water.
Mixing and placing has to be faster to
avoid initial setting prior to laying.
SUPER SULPHATED CEMENT
Manufactured by grinding together
following mixture
80-85 % - granulated slag
10-15% -hard burnt gypsum
5 % -Portland cement clinker
It is finer than ordinary Portland
cement(specific surface area ≥ 4000
cm2/gm).
More sensitive to deterioration during
storage.
Its physical and other properties are almost
same as are of ordinary Portland cement
except the heat of hydration which is
considerably lower(40-45 calories/gm at 7
days and 45-50 at days).
It is a slag cement and is resistant to
majority of chemicals found in construction
industry. It is also resistant to Sulphate
attack.
Needs more water for hydration reaction so
wet curing not less than 3 days in
essential(w/c≥ 0.5 )
It is used in:
Marine Structures.
Mass concrete works subjected to aggressive
waters.
Reinforced concrete pipes in ground water.
Concrete construction in Sulphate bearing soils.
In factories where concrete is exposed to highly
concentrated Sulphates.
Construction of concrete sewers carrying
industrial effluents.
Underside of railway bridges.
Under tropical conditions, its use is
recommended only below 40`C.
Can be used as a general purpose
cement with adequate precautions.
It should never be used for casting
‘steam cured concrete’ products.
LOW HEAT CEMENT
Low percentage (5%) of tri-calcium aluminates
(C3A) and silicate (C3S) and high (46%) of di-
calcium silicate (C2S) to keep heat generation low.
It has low lime content and less compressive
strength.
Initial and final setting times nearly same as OPC.
Very slow rate of developing strength.
Not suitable for ordinary structures.
Shuttering required for long duration so cost will increase.
Prolonged curing is required.
Structure utilization will be delayed.
PORTLAND POZZOLANA CEMENT
PPC is manufactured by blending 15% to
35% reactive pozzolana like flyash or
calcined clay with OPC.