We all have seen and heard about the cement and some of us might have used it. RCC structures mostly use them for the construction of residential buildings, commercial buildings, etc. In this article, we will discuss briefly types of cement and their uses. After this article, you will know:
- What is cement
- Making of cements
- Who invented cement
- Uses of cement
- Different types of cements and their uses
Now let's dive into the topic and know what is cement. According to Wikipedia, "A cement is a binder substance, a substance used for construction that sets, hardens, and adheres to other materials to bind them together". Generally, it is a binding material in RCC construction used with sand in correct proportion.
About invention
The historic recording of the use of cement date back to 6500 B.C.in the regions of Syria and Jordan. The Discovery of concrete floors, housing structures, and underground cisterns proved the use of concrete in the region. The credit for the invention of modern-day portland cement goes to Josep Aspdin of England. In 1824 he registered a patient for a material that was a mixture of limestone and clay. He named it a "portland cement" due to its resemblance to portland stone after setting of material.
Making of cement
Now let us discuss the making of cement. It is not a naturally occurring material and manufactured using 8 ingredients which are:
| Ingredients Used | Used Quantity (%) |
|---|---|
| Lime | 60-65% |
| Silica | 17-25% |
| Alumina | 3-8% |
| Magnesia | 1-3% |
| Sulfur Trioxide | 1-3% |
| Alkaline | 0-1% |
| Iron Oxide | 0.5-0.6% |
| Calcium Sulfate | 0.1-0.5% |
Knowledge of the manufacturing process can give a better idea about the topic. In this article, we will discuss the manufacturing process in brief only. The first step in manufacturing portland cement involves quarrying raw materials like limestone, clay, and others. The aggregates of about 3-inch size are produced after crushing these raw materials. The crushed raw material is then combined with other ingredients mentioned in the above table depending on the chemical proportions requirement of the final product.
All of these components are then transferred into a furnace. In this furnace, the materials are heated to a temperature of about 2700 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure that the components combine. The clinker produces as the result of this process. Clinkers are grey balls about the size of marbles. After clinkers are cooled, machine grind and mix them with a small amount of gypsum and limestone depending on the final requirement. Then product thus prepared is sent to be used at the site or to be stored.
Uses
Following are the uses of cement
- Preparation of cement mortar
- To prepare cement concrete
- Used in building fire proof, thermal proof, hydrographic, chemical proof and frost resistance structures
- As grout material
- To manufacture precast cement members
- For the construction of aesthetic concrete
Types and their uses
We are going to discuss the following types of cement. In Nepal, the following types of cement are used for different purposes as discussed below:
- Ordinary Portland cement (OPC)
- Portland pozzolana cement (PPC)
- Rapid hardening cement
- Extra rapid hardening cement
- Low heat cement
- Quick setting cement
- High alumina cement
- White cement
Ordinary Portland cement (OPC)
Portland pozzolana cement (PPC)
Rapid hardening cement
Extra rapid hardening cement
Low heat cement
Quick setting cement
High alumina cement
White cement
Most of us have seen and used OPC cement. RCC structures use this in construction. For example, the construction of floors, beams, columns, bridges, pipes, precast concrete products, etc. It is famous for the construction of RCC frame houses.
Most of us have seen and used PPC cement in buildings. Masonry mortars, plastering, decorative and art structures, and manufacturing of precast sewage pipes use PPC cement. After OPC, PPC is one of the most used types in our country.
Rapid hardening cement has an early strengthening character than OPC cement. If a structure requires faster construction for early use, this type of product is a good choice. For example, Cold countries or places require early strengthening to prevent the structure from damage due to freezing. For another example, we can take any place where formwork needs fast removal for fast construction.
Extra rapid hardening cement has more strengthening character than rapid hardening cement. If a structure requires faster construction than using rapid hardening cement, this type of product is a good choice. For example, the industries manufacturing slabs, posts, electric poles, block fences, etc use this kind of product.
Low heat cement is a type of product that generates low heat of hydration during setting. This type of product is the same as the normal portland cement, with some percentage change in chemical composition. Wind turbine plinths, worksurfaces of chemical plants, and sulphuric acid factories, the footing of damps use this product.
It is a special type of product that rapidly develops compressive strength and significantly reduces waiting on cement time compared to conventional cement systems. Underwater construction, construction in rainy and cold weather, and all kinds of underground works including anchorage of rock bolt in the tunnel use this type of product.
Where concrete requires more strength at very high or low temperatures this type of product is the best choice. It works best in the construction of sewer networks where high resistance to biogenic sulfide corrosion is necessary.
Except for its color, white and grey cement are similar in properties. This is the main reason why it finds its application in ornamental purposes. Examples are its application in architectural beauty, interior, and exterior decorations, floorings, etc.
Since different types of cement have different properties, environmental conditions, required setting time, construction type, and expert advice should be taken into consideration.
I hope after reading the article you have now answer to the basic query about cement and their types
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