13 Types of Cement and their Uses

There are various types of cement used in concrete construction. Each

type of cement has its own properties, uses and advantages based on
composition materials used during its manufacture.

13 Types of Cement and their Uses

Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC)
Portland Pozzolana Cement (PPC)
Rapid Hardening Cement
Quick setting cement
Low Heat Cement
Sulphates resisting cement
Blast Furnace Slag Cement
High Alumina Cement
White Cement
Coloured cement
Air Entraining Cement
Expansive cement
Hydrographic cement

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1. Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC)
Ordinary Portland cement is the most widely used type of cement
which is suitable for all general concrete construction. It is most widely
produced and used type of cement around the world with annual global
production of around 3.8 million cubic meters per year. This cement is
suitable for all type of concrete construction.

2. Portland Pozzolana Cement (PPC)

Portland pozzolana cement is prepared by grinding pozzolanic clinker
with Portland cement. It is also produced by adding pozzolana with the
addition of gypsum or calcium sulfate or by intimately and uniformly
blending portland cement and fine pozzolana.

This cement has high resistance to various chemical attacks on concrete

compared with ordinary portland cement and thus it is widely used. It
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is used in marine structures, sewage works, sewage works and for
laying concrete under water such as bridges, piers, dams and mass
concrete works etc.

3. Rapid Hardening Cement

Rapid hardening cement attains high strength in early days it is used in
concrete where formworks are removed at an early stage and is similar
to ordinary portland cement (OPC). This cement has increased lime
content and contains higher c3s content and finer grinding which gives
greater strength development than OPC at an early stage.

The strength of rapid hardening cement at the 3 days is similar to 7

days strength of OPC with the same water-cement ratio. Thus,
advantage of this cement is that formwork can be removed earlier
which increases the rate of construction and decreases cost of
construction by saving formwork cost.

Rapid hardening cement is used in prefabricated concrete construction,

road works, etc.

4. Quick setting cement

The difference between the quick setting cement and rapid hardening
cement is that quick setting cement sets earlier while rate of gain of
strength is similar to Ordinary Portland Cement, while rapid hardening
cement gains strength quickly. Formworks in both cases can be
removed earlier.

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Quick setting cement is used where works is to be completed in very
short period and for concreting in static or running water.

5. Low Heat Cement

Low heat cement is prepared by maintaining the percentage of
tricalcium aluminate below 6% by increasing the proportion of C2S.
This makes the concrete to produce low heat of hydration and thus is
used in mass concrete construction like gravity dams, as the low heat of
hydration prevents the cracking of concrete due to heat.

This cement has increased power against sulphates and is less reactive
and initial setting time is greater than OPC.

6. Sulphates Resisting Cement

Sulfate resisting cement is used to reduce the risk of sulphate attack on
concrete and thus is used in construction of foundations where soil has
high sulphate content. This cement has reduced contents of C3A and
C4AF.

Sulfate resisting cement is used in construction exposed to severe

sulphate action by water and soil in places like canals linings, culverts,
retaining walls, siphons etc.

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7. Blast Furnace Slag Cement
Blast furnace slag cement is obtained by grinding the clinkers with
about 60% slag and resembles more or less in properties of Portland
cement. It can be used for works economic considerations is
predominant.

8. High Alumina Cement

High alumina cement is obtained by melting mixture of bauxite and
lime and grinding with the clinker. It is a rapid hardening cement with
initial and final setting time of about 3.5 and 5 hours respectively.

The compressive strength of this cement is very high and more

workable than ordinary portland cement and is used in works where
concrete is subjected to high temperatures, frost, and acidic action.

9. White Cement
It is prepared from raw materials free from Iron oxide and is a type of
ordinary portland cement which is white in color. It is costlier and is
used for architectural purposes such as precast curtain wall and facing
panels, terrazzo surface etc. and for interior and exterior decorative
work like external renderings of buildings, facing slabs, floorings,
ornamental concrete products, paths of gardens, swimming pools etc.

10. Colored cement

It is produced by mixing 5- 10% mineral pigments with ordinary
cement. They are widely used for decorative works in floors.

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11. Air Entraining Cement
Air entraining cement is produced by adding indigenous air entraining
agents such as resins, glues, sodium salts of sulphates etc. during the
grinding of clinker.

This type of cement is especially suited to improve the workability with

smaller water cement ratio and to improve frost resistance of concrete.

12. Expansive Cement

Expansive cement expands slightly with time and does not shrink
during and after the time of hardening . This cement is mainly used for
grouting anchor bolts and prestressed concrete ducts.

13. Hydrographic cement

Hydrographic cement is prepared by mixing water repelling chemicals
and has high workability and strength. It has the property of repelling
water and is unaffected during monsoon or rains. Hydrophobic cement
is mainly used for the construction of water structures such dams,
water tanks, spillways, water retaining structures etc.

Read More:
Applications of Different Cement Types for Concrete
Construction
Tests on Cement at Construction Site To Check Quality of
Cement

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Applications of Different Cement Types for Concrete
Construction

Applications of Different Types of Cement for Concrete Construction

Selection of cement based on suitability for different concrete
construction is important for durability considerations of structures.
Thus, making wise choice of cement type for particular construction
site, prevents structure from deteriorating and saves much repair and
rehabilitation cost later.

Following are the suitability of various cements for different

environmental conditions:

Applications of 33 Grade Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC)

It is used for normal grade of concrete upto M-20, plastering, flooring,
grouting of cable ducts in PSC works etc. The fineness should be
between 225 and 280.

Application of 43 Grade Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC)

• It is the most widely used general purpose cement. For concrete
grades upto M-30, precast elements.
• For marine structures but C3A should be between 5 – 8%.
Application of 53 Grade OPC Cement
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• For concrete grade higher than M-30, prestressed concrete
works, bridge, roads, multi-storied buildings etc.
• For use in cold weather concreting.
• For marine structures but C3A should be between 5 – 8%.
Applications of Portland Slag Cement (PSC)
It is OPC + granulated slag cement. It gives low heat of hydration. The
slag should be more than 50%and upto 70%. It is used for;

• Marine and off shore structures- very high chloride and

sulphate resistant.
• Sewage disposal treatments works
• Water treatment plants
• Constructions which are expected to be attacked by dissolved
chlorides and sulphate ions.
• Should be mainly used for all future structures.

Applications of Portland Pozzolana Cement

IS:1489(part-I ) -1991 (using flyash). It gives low heat of hydration and
reduces the leaching of calcium hydroxide. This cement should be used
only after proper evaluation. This should be tested as per IS:1489 (Pt I)
– 1991. It is used for:
• hydraulic structures-dams, retaining walls
• Marine structures
• Mass concrete works- like bridge footings
under aggressive conditions

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• Masonry mortar and plastering.
Applications of Sulphate Resisting Cement
(C3A < 3%) Sulphate Resisting Portland Cement is a type of Portland
Cement in which the amount of tricalcium aluminate (C3A) is
restricted to lower than 5% and 2C 3A +C4AF lower than 25%. The SRC
can be used for structural concrete wherever OPC or PPC or Slag
Cement are usable under normal conditions.

The use of SRC is particularly beneficial in such conditions where the

concrete is exposed to the risk of deterioration due to sulphate attack,
for example, in contact with soils and ground waters containing
excessive amounts of sulphates as well as for concrete in sea water or
exposed directly to sea coast.

The use of Sulphate Resisting Cement is recommended for

following applications:
• Foundations, piles
• Basement and underground structures
• Sewage and water treatment plants
• Chemical factories
• Suitable for underground works where Sulphate is present in
the Soil and water.
Sulphate Resisting Cement is Not Suitable for:
• Sulphate resisting cement is not suitable where there is danger
of chloride attack. This will cause corrosion of rebar.
• If both Chlorides and Sulphates are present, Ordinary Portland
Cement with C3A between 5 & 8 should be used.
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Applications of Low heat portland cement
Low Heat Portland Cement is particularly suited for making concrete
for dams and many other types of water retaining structures, bridge
abutments, massive retaining walls, piers and slabs etc. In mass
concreting, there is often considerable rise in temperature because of
the heat produced as the cement sets and hardens.
The shrinkage which occurs on subsequent cooling sets up tensile
stresses in the concrete, may result in cracking. The use of low heat
cement is advantageous since it evolves less heat than OPC. This
cement is not available in the market on regular basis and has to be
obtained on specific orders.

Applications of Rapid hardening cement

The Rapid Hardening Cement is used for repair and rehabilitation
works and where speed of construction and early completion is
required due to limitations of time, space or other reasons. The cement
is to be used in cold weather concreting i.e. temperature < 5oC.

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Rapid hardening cement is basically OPC but its fineness is 3250
cm2/g against 2250 cm2/g in case of OPC. The compressive strength
after 1 day is 16 N/mm2 and that of 3 days 27 N/mm2.

These days higher grade OPC are available in the country to meet these
requirements and therefore, this cement is not being manufactured and
marketed on regular basis. The characteristics of this cement can be
effectively met by only good quality 53 grade OPC.

Applications of Hydrophobic portland cement

Hydrophobic Portland Cement is manufactured on special requirement

for high rainfall areas to improve the shelf life of the cement. The
cement particles are given a chemical coating during manufacturing
which provides water repelling property and the cement is not affected
due to high humidity and can be stored for a longer period . This has to
be obtained on special order from the cement manufactures.

Read More:

Types of Cement – Uses and Composition of Various Types of

Cements

Tests on Cement at Construction Site To Check Quality of

Cement

Soil Cement – Types, Composition, Mix, Applications and

Advantages

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Manufacture of Cement- Materials and Manufacturing
Process of Portland Cement

Tests on Cement at Construction Site To Check Quality of

Cement

Quality tests on cements at construction site (also called field tests on

cement) are carried to know the quality of cement supplied at site. It
gives some idea about cement quality based on colour, touch and feel
and other tests.

Tests on Cement at Construction site

The following are the quality tests on cement at construction site:

Color test
Presence of lumps
Adulteration test

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Temperature test
Float tests
Strength test
Setting test
Date of packing
Color Test of Cement
The color of the cement should be uniform. It should be grey colour
with a light greenish shade.

Presence of Lumps
The cement should be free from any hard lumps. Such lumps are
formed by the absorption of moisture from the atmosphere. Any bag of
cement containing such lumps should be rejected.

Cement Adulteration Test

The cement should feel smooth when touched or rubbed in between
fingers. If it is felt rough, it indicates adulteration with sand.

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Temperature Test of Cement
If hand is inserted in a bag of cement or heap of cement, it should feel
cool and not warm.

Float Test
If a small quantity of cement is thrown in a bucket of water, the
particles should float for some time before it sinks.

Setting Test

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A thick paste of cement with water is made on a piece of glass plate and
it is kept under water for 24 hours. It should set and not crack.

Strength of Cement Test

A block of cement 25 mm ×25 mm and 200 mm long is prepared and it
is immersed for 7 days in water. It is then placed on supports 15cm
apart and it is loaded with a weight of about 34 kg. The block should
not show signs of failure.

The briquettes of a lean mortar (1:6) are made. The size of briquette
may be about 75 mm ×25 mm ×12 mm. They are immersed in water for
a period of 3 days after drying. If cement is of sound quality such
briquettes will not be broken easily.
Date of Packing:
Strength of cement reduces with time, so it is important to check the
manufacturing date of the cement. Generally, the cement should be
used before 90 days from the date of manufacturing.

Read More on Material Testing Guide. 

Recommended Book:  Concrete Technology

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