1. What is Cement?

Cement is a fine mineral powder manufactured with very precise processes. Mixed with water, this
powder transforms into a paste that binds and hardens when submerged in water. Because the
composition and fineness of the powder may vary, cement has different properties depending upon
its makeup. Cement is also known as a binder it is the main component of concrete, a substance
used in construction that sets and hardens and can bind other materials together.
2. What is Portland cement?
Portland cement is the most common type of cement that is used in general all over the world. This
cement is made my heating limestone with other material. Portland cement is a basic ingredient of
concrete, mortar and grout. It is most common use for the production of concrete. Concrete is formed
when Portland cement creates a paste with water that binds with sand and rock to harden. As a
construction material, concrete can be cast in almost any shape desired, and once hardened can become
structural element. Without concrete any buildings or construction is not possible.
3. What are the Different Types of Portland Cement?
Portland cements are hydraulic cements these are the cements that set and harden by reacting chemically with
water. Though all the Portland cements are quite similar. There are various types of Portland cement and are
manufactured to meet the different physical and chemical requirements for specific purposes. The mentioned
bellows are the different types and purposes of Portland cement.

 Type I - this one is known as common or general-purpose cement. Which is also known as ordinary
Portland cement.
 Type II- this one give off less heat during hydration. This type is for general construction.
 Type III – this one has relatively high early strength. This is similar to type I but ground finer.
 Type IV- Portland cement is generally known for its low heat of hydration. This type of cement is
generally used for very large concrete structures, such as damns, which have low surface to volume
ratio.
 Type V- this type is used where sulfate resistance is important, it is used in concrete to be exposed to
alkali soil and ground water sulfates which react with (C3A) causing disruptive expansion.

4. What are the advantages of OPC Cement?

The advantages of using OPC are

 Ordinary Portland cement sets more quickly, and attains 85% of its maximum
 OPC is mostly used for large construction projects as it also sets and gain strength within 7 days.
 OPC is most prevalent because of the readily available raw materials where it is produced.
 OPC is also a Low – cost cement product that leads to OPC being widely used in the world to produce
concrete. Which is the most popular material used for construction in the world being roads, buildings,
and damns.
 OPC is also used for mortars and in making grouts.

5. How is the strength of Cement Designated?

Strength of cement is definitely the most important, the grades mentioned in the cement bags as 53/43
OPC/PPC in fact represent the strength of the cement 53 grade OPC simply means that 28 days
compressive strength of cement mortar cubes prepared out of that cement in a standard manner. Strength
of cement is carried out on the cubes of hardened Cement – sand mortar not on a neat cement paste.
6. What are the test Methods available to determine the Physical Properties of Cement?
The methods to determine the physical properties of cement are:
  Determination of setting time of the cement
 Determination of the consistency of the cement
 Test for the compressive strength of cement.
 And test of cement’s fineness, soundness

7. Define the term Compressive Strength, Setting Time & Normal Consistency of Cement?

 Compressive strength –Using 50mm mortar cubes made by standard sand and cured in prescribed way
tests compressive strength of cement. The cubes are tested under a compression-testing machine. The
strength of cement varies with time.

 Setting time - The initial setting time is the time that passed from the instance of adding water until the
pastes ceases to behave as fluid or plastic. Whereas final setting time is referred to the time required for
the cement paste to reach the state of hardness to sustain load. Using Vicat apparatus or Gillmore needle
tests setting time of the cement.

 Normal consistency of cement – consistency of a cement paste basically refers to the ability to flow.
The water content in the cement that is at standard point maintaining the wetness is the normal
consistency of cement.
8. What are the reason for Slow of Fast Settling of Concrete or Mortar?
The nature of the cement can be the reason for slow or fast setting of concrete or mortar but it can also
be due to other irrelevant factors to cement. During hot weather the setting is faster whereas, in winter
setting is delayed, the types of chemicals, clays, salts etc. if inadvertently get mixed with the sand,
aggregate or water then also it can result to delay of the setting of concrete.
9. What controls the setting time of Cement?
Setting time of cement is controlled by the Gypsum (CaSO4.2H20) that is actually added to clinker
prior to finish grinding. Gypsum controls the C3A compound when water is added to cement.
10. Can we gauze the Quality of Cement by looking at its color? What causes the change in color of the
cement?
We cannot gauge the quality of cement by just looking at its color. The color of the cement is governed
by its C4AF content the more C4AfF the darker the color of the cement will be. The quality of cement
can only be gauged after analyzing the complete physical and chemical characteristic of cement.
11. What makes high Quality Cement?
Uses of high quality raw materials and the proper use of manufacturing process or high quality process
can lead to producing high quality cement.
12. What are the factors that affects the quality of Cement during storage?
The factors that affect the quality during storage are temperature and humidity conditions, storage time,
composition of clinker and gypsum, fineness of cement. Since cement is a moisture sensitive material,
keeping it dry will retain it quality.
13. What Causes cement hardening in Bags?
The improper handling and storage of bags can cause hardening in bags.
14. How should cement be stored?
It is very important to know how to store cement to prevent cement from damaging. Here are few things that are
to be kept in mind while storing cement.

 Cement should always be stored in a dry place, as it should be protected from rain. Or a building or go
down only after ensuring that the buildings are weatherproof.
 Cement absorbs moisture from the air; therefore doors and windows should be kept closed to eliminate
damp air or draughts.
 We must never store cement with other products such as fertilizer, gypsum based products or even
foodstuffs, as it can have a disastrous results on the performance of cement in mortars, plasters or
concrete
 It should be stored in a big empty room or a place that can keep the cement bags safe from being snagged
or damaged.