6/5/2017

OrdinaryPortlandCement
VDB2013CivilEngineeringMaterials
2015 INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY PETRONAS SDN BHD
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recording or otherwise) without the permission of the copyright owner.

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WhatisCement?
Cement is a material with adhesive and cohesive properties which
make it capable of bonding minerals fragments into a compact whole.
For constructional purposes, the meaning of the term "cement" is
restricted to the bonding materials used with stones, sand, bricks,
building stones, etc.

UseofCement
Main use is in the fabrication of concrete and mortars
Modern uses
Building (floors, beams, columns, roofing, piles, bricks,
mortar, panels, plaster)
Transport (roads, pathways, crossings, bridges,
viaducts, tunnels, parking, etc.)
Water (pipes, drains, canals, dams, tanks, pools, etc.)
Civil (piers, docks, retaining walls, silos, warehousing,
poles, pylons, fencing)
Agriculture (buildings, processing, housing, irrigation)

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GlobalProductionofCement

ProductionofCement inMalaysia

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HistoryofCement
3000BCEgyptianPyramids

The Egyptians were using early forms of

concrete over 5000 years ago to build
pyramids. They mixed mud and straw to form
bricks and used gypsum and lime to make
mortars.

HistoryofCement

300BC 476ADRomanArchitecture

The ancient Romans used a material that is

remarkably close to modern cement to build
many of their architectural marvels, such as the
Colosseum, and the Pantheon. The Romans
also used animal products in their cement as an
early form of admixtures.

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PortlandCement
Portland cement, arguably one of mankinds most important manufactured
materials.
Portland cement was invented and patented by Joseph Aspdin from Leeds
in 1824.
He called the product Portland Cement because of its resemblance,
when set, to Portland stone, a type of stone quarried on the Isle of
Portland.
To this day, Portland cement is still the most commonly used cement
around the globe.
All Portland cements are hydraulic cement (hydraulic calcium silicates).

ManufacturingofPortlandCementProduction

(1) Limestone: Contains predominantly calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and to use in cement
manufacture, it should have 4243% lime (CaO) minimum. In cement manufacture it is prime
raw material and its usage would be 9093%.
(2) Clay : It contains more of silica (SiO2) and its usage should be 2 to 3% in cement manufacture.
(3) Bauxite : It contains alumina (Al2O3) and it's usage should be 2 to 3% in cement manufacture.
(4) Iron Ore : It contains mainly iron oxide (Fe2O3) and it's usage should be 1 to 2% in cement
manufacture. The raw materials mix composition would be 9093% limestone, 23% clay, 23%
Bauxite, 12% Iron ore in cement making.

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Comparisonofdryprocessandwetprocess

Theremainingtwooperationsburningandgrindingaresameforboththeprocess

ManufactureofPortlandCement
Wetprocess: Thepercentageofthemoistureintherawmaterialsis
high.

Dryprocess:

Therawmaterialsissohard(solid)thattheydonotdisintegratebywater
Coldcountries,becausethewatermightfreezeinthemixture
Shortageofthewaterneededformixingprocess.

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Manufacture of Portland Cement

Madebyheatingafinelydividedmixtureofargillaceous(clayor
shale)andcalcareousmaterials(chalkorlimestone)inakilntoahigh
temperature(1500oC)suchthatchemicalcombinationoccurs
5%gypsumisaddedtotheresultingclinkertopreventflashsetting
Theclinkerisgroundedintopowder

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MANUFACTUREOFPORTLANDCEMENT
WetProcess
DryProcess 74%ofcementproduced
Preheater/precalciner process

EVOLUTIONOFTHECEMENTPROCESS

Wet process easiest to control chemistry and better for

moist raw materials
Wet process: high fuel requirements fuel needed to
evaporate more than 30% of slurry water
Dry process kilns - less fuel requirements
Preheater/Precalciner further enhance fuel efficiency and
allow for high production rates.

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ManufactureofPortlandCement wetprocess

washmill Slurrytank

Rawmaterials

Clinkercooled
I waterdrivenoff
&stored

II CO2 drivenoff
III fusion
Packaging
Grindingmills
distribution
silo
gypsum

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DryProcess
Crushing and Grinding: The raw materials like limestone and clay, obtained from
the quarry, is crushed to form fine powder.
Raw material proportioning: The crushed raw material is blended in correct
proportions to form what is called the raw feed or kiln feed.
Heating the raw feed in rotary kiln: The raw feed is introduced in the higher
end of the rotary kiln by a conveyor and heated to about 1400 to 1500 degree
Celsius.
Clinker formation: The new product which is obtained from the rotary kiln is
called the clinker. The redhot clinker discharged from the kiln is allowed to cool
and sent to the cement mill.
Grinding the clinker with gypsum: The cement clinker is usually ground in a ball
mill to form fine powder. A small amount of gypsum (5%) is used in this grinding
process to control the setting properties of concrete when mixed with water. The
end product of this process is called Portland Cement.

DiagrammaticManufacturingofPortlandCement
Process

Diagrammaticrepresentationofthewetprocessand

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Wetprocess
Cement manufacture by wet process used either chalk or lime stone as one of the
raw material. Following treatment should be given to them before its use. The
remaining procedure after the treatment is same for both.

Chock should be finely broken up and dispersed in water in a wash mill. The clay is
also broken up and mixed with water in wash mill. The two mixtures are now
pumped so as to mix in predetermined proportions and pass through a series of
screens. The resulting cement slurry flows into storage tanks.

Limestone should be blasted, then crushed, usually in two progressively smaller

crushers (initial and secondary crushers), and then fed into a ball mill with the
clay dispersed in water. The resultant slurry is pumped into storage tanks.

DiagrammaticManufacturingofPortlandCement
Process

Diagrammaticrepresentationofthedryprocessofmanufactureofcement

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ChemicalCompositionofPortlandCement

MajormineralconstituentsofPortlandCement

ManufactureofOPC

ActiveConstituentsinallPortlandCementsare

CalciumSilicates
derivedfrom
LimestoneorChalk Clay orShale
(CaCO3,CaO) containsIron(Fe2O3)
andAluminium(Al2O3)

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FormationandhydrationofPortlandcement
Component Element O2, Si Ca Al Fe

Component oxides CaO SiO2 Al2O3 Fe2O3

Cement Compounds C3S C2S C3A C4AF

Portland cement Various types

Hydration Products C-S-H gel Ca(OH)2

TypicalOPCOxideContent
Oxide Notation Common Name Wt(%)

CaO C Lime 63
SiO2 S Silica 22
Al2O3 A Alumina 6
Fe2O3 F Ferric oxide 2.5
MgO M Magnesia 2.6
K2O K Alkali 0.4
Na2O N Alkali 0.2
SO3 S Sulphur trioxide 2.0
CO2 C Carbon dioxide -
H2O H Water -

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TypicalCompoundCompositionofOPC

Chemical Name Chemical Formula Shorthand %wt

Notation
Tricalcium Silicate 3CaO.SiO2 C3S 50

Dicalcium Silicate 2CaO.SiO2 C2S 25

Tricalcium 3CaO.Al2O3 C3A 12

Aluminate

Tetracalcium 4CaO. Al2O3.Fe2O3 C4AF 8

Aluminoferrite

Bogues EquationinDeterminingthe4MajorCompoundCompositionofOPC

The Bogues calculation is used to calculate the approximate

proportions of the four main minerals in Portland cement clinker.

C3S=4.07(CaO) 7.60(SiO2) 6.72(Al2O3) 1.43(Fe2O3)

C2S=8.602(SiO2)+1.079(Fe2O3)+5.068(Al2O3)3.071(CaO)
C3A=2.65(Al2O3) 1.69(Fe2O3)
C4AF=3.04(Fe2O3)
Clinkeranalysis

SiO2 Al2O3 Fe2O3 CaO MgO K2 O Na2O SO3 LOI IR Total

21.5 5.2 2.8 66.6 1.0 0.6 0.2 1.0 1.5 0.5 98.9

Freelime=1.0%CaO

Fromtable:CaO=65.6%;SiO2=21.5%;Al2O3=5.2%andFe2O3=2.8%
C3S =64.7%, C2S=12.9%, C3A = 9.0%, C4AF = 8.5%

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MinorCompoundCompositionofOPC

Lessthanafewpercent
MgO,TiO2,Mn2O3,K2O,andNa2

PotassiumandSodiumoxides(K2O,and
Na2Orespectively)areknownasalkalisand
canreactwithsilicatoformAlkaliSilica
Reaction(ASR concretecancer)

FormationandHydrationofPortlandCement
ThecalculationofthepotentialcompositionofPortlandcementisbasedBogue composition.

C3S=4.07(CaO) 7.60(SiO2)6.72(Al2O3) 1.43(Fe2O3)2.85(SO3)

C2S=2.87(SiO2) 0.75(3CaO.SiO2)
C3A=2.65(Al2O3) 1.69(Fe2O3)
C4AF=3.04(Fe2O3).

UsualCompositionLimitsofPortlandCement

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OxideandCompoundCompositionsofaTypicalPortland
Cementofthe1960

InfluenceofChangeinOxide Schematicrepresentationofthe
CompositionontheCompound formationandhydrationofPortlandcement
Composition

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HydrationofCement Making the approximate assumption that C3S2H3 is the final

product of hydration of both C3S and C2S, the reactions of
hydration can be written (as a guide, although not as exact
stoichiometric equations) as follows.

ForC3S:
2C3S+6HC3S2H3 +3Ca(OH)2.
Thecorrespondingmassesinvolvedare:
100+2475+49.

ForC2S:

2C2S+4HC3S2H3 +Ca(OH)2.
Thecorrespondingmassesare:
100+2199+22.

Typicaldevelopmentofhydrationofpurecompounds

AlkaliSilicaReaction
Alkali silica reaction can occur in concretes made with aggregates
containing reactive silica, provided there is a sufficient supply of alkali
(usually provided by the cement) and a supply of moisture

Thereactionproductisa
hygroscopicgelwhich
takesupwaterandswells.
Thismaycreateinternal
stressessufficienttocrack
theconcrete.

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HydrationReaction1&2

Tricalcium Silicate(C3S)
2C3S+6H C3S2H3 +3Ca(OH)2
water(H2O) CSH calciumhydroxide
cementgel

Dicalcium Silicate(C2S)
2C2S+4H C3S2H3 +Ca(OH)2

HydrationReaction3&4

Tricalcium Aluminate(C3A)
C3A+6H C3AH6
calciumaluminatehydrate
C3A+3CASH2 +26H C6ASH32
ettringite
2C3A+C6ASH2 +4H 3C4ASH12
monosulpholuminate+newsulphateions=ettringite

Tetracalcium Aluminoferrite (C4AF)

SimilartoC3A

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RatesofHydrationofCementCompoundsinOPCPaste

100

80 C3 A
%
C3 S
60

C4AF
40
C2 S

20

0
20 40 60 80 100
Time(days)

CompressiveStrengthDevelopmentinOPCPaste
70

60
C3 S
% 50

40

30
C2 S
20 C3 A

10
C4AF
0
20 40 60 80 100
Time(days)

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ContributionofCompoundCompositionsto
CompressiveStrengthDevelopment
strength

age
C3SandC3A C2 S

EVB3022MFN

FinenessofPortlandCement

However,propertiesofcementdoesnotonly
dependsoncompounds,butalsoonfinenessof
thecementpowder
Cementshydratebythesurfacereactionandthe
rateofreaction,hencesettingandhardening
Thebiggerthesurfacearea,themoresurfaceto
reactandthefasterwillbetherateofhydration
Thefinerthesizeofcementgrain,thebiggerthe
specificsurfacearea

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EVB3022MFN

FinenessofPortlandCement

FinenessismeasuredintermsofSpecificsurface,
definedasfollows:

Surface area of the grains in a sample

Mass of that sample

Units m2/kg,forOPC,notlessthan225m2/kg
(BS12)
Inpractice350 380m2/kg

EVB3022MFN

OtherPortlandCements

Adjustment of the composition of the cement

compounds will modify the properties of Ordinary
Portland Cement
Eg:
1.RapidHardeningPortlandCement
2.SulphateResistingPortlandCement
3.LowHeatPortlandCement
4.WhiteCement

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RateofevolutionofheatofPortlandcementwithawater/cementratioof0.4.181The
firstpeakof3200J/skgisoffthediagram

Tricalcium aluminatehydrateandtheaction
ofgypsum
The amount of C3A present in most cements is comparatively small but
its behaviour and structural relationship with the other phases in
cement make it of interest. The tricalcium aluminate hydrate forms a
prismatic dark interstitial material, possibly with other substances in
solid solution, and is often in the form of flat plates individually
surrounded by the calcium silicate hydrates.

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Settingofcement
This is the term used to describe the stiffening of the cement paste,
although the definition of the stiffness of the paste which is considered
set is somewhat arbitrary. Broadly speaking, setting refers to a change
from a fluid to a rigid stage. Although, during setting, the paste
acquires some strength, for practical purposes it is important to
distinguish setting from hardening, which refers to the gain of strength
of a set cement paste.

Settingofcement

The beginning of noticeable

stiffening in the cement paste is
known as the initial set.
The final hardening process which
is responsible for its strength
known as the final set.
The time from the addition of the
water to the initial and final set
are known as the setting times.

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Finenessofcement
It may be recalled that one of the last steps in the manufacture of
cement is the grinding of clinker mixed with gypsum. Because
hydration starts at the surface of the cement particles, it is the total
surface area of cement that represents the material available for
hydration. Thus, the rate of hydration depends on the fineness of the
cement particles and, for a rapid development of strength, high
fineness is necessary, the longterm strength is not affected. A higher
early rate of hydration means, of course, also a higher rate of early heat
evolution.

Exampleofparticlesizedistribution
Relationbetweenstrengthofconcrete
andcumulativesurfaceareacontributedby
atdifferentagesandfinenessofcement
particlesuptoanygivensizefor1gofcement

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SpecificSurfaceofCementMeasuredbyDifferentMethods

StructureofHydratedCement

Many of the mechanical properties of

hardened cement and concrete appear to
depend not so much on the chemical
composition of the hydrated cement as on
the physical structure of the products of
hydration, viewed at the level of colloidal
dimensions. For this reason it is important to
have a good picture of the physical
properties of the cement gel.

Simplifiedmodelofpastestructure.Soliddots
representgelparticles;interstitial
spacesaregelpores;spacessuchasthosemarkedC
arecapillarypores.Sizeof
gelporesisexaggerated

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Volumeofproductsofhydration
Example
Consider the hydration of 100 g of cement. Taking the specific gravity of dry
cement as 3.15, the absolute volume of unhydrated cement is 100/3.15 = 31.8
ml. The nonevaporable water is, as we have said, about 23 per cent of the mass
of cement, i.e. 23 ml. The solid products of hydration occupy a volume equal
to the sum of volumes of anhydrous cement and water less 0.254 of the volume
of non-evaporable water, i.e.

31.8 + 0.23 100(1 0.254) = 48.9 ml.

Becausethepasteinthisconditionhasacharacteristicporosityof
about28percent,thevolumeofgelwater,wg,isgivenby

Whencewg =19.0ml,andthevolumeofhydratedcementis48.9+19.0=67.9ml.

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Summarizing,wehave:

Diagrammaticrepresentationof
volumechangesonhydrationofcementpaste
withawater/cementratioof0.42

Compositionofcementpasteatdifferentstagesof
hydration

Compositionofcementpasteatdifferentstagesofhydration. Diagrammaticrepresentationofthe
Thepercentageindicatedappliesonlytopasteswithenough volumetricproportionsofcementpasteat
waterfilledspacetoaccommodatetheproductsatthe differentstagesofhydration
degreeofhydrationindicated

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Capillarypores

ApproximateAgeRequiredtoProduce
Relationbetweenthewater/cement MaturityatwhichCapillariesBecome
ratioandthedegreeofhydrationat Segmented
whichthe
capillariesceasetobecontinuous

Mechanicalstrengthofcementgel

There are two classical theories of hardening or development of strength

of cement. That put forward by H. Le Chatelier in 1882 states that the
products of hydration of cement have a lower solubility than the original
compounds, so that the hydrates precipitate from a supersaturated
solution. The precipitate is in the form of interlaced elongated crystals
with high cohesive and adhesive properties.

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Waterheldinhydratedcementpaste
The presence of water in hydrated
cement has been repeatedly mentioned.
The cement paste is indeed hygroscopic
owing to the hydrophilic character of
cement coupled with the presence of

submicroscopic pores. The actual water

content of the paste depends on the
ambient humidity. Probablestructureof
hydratedsilicates

Heatofhydrationofcement
In common with many chemical
reactions, the hydration of cement
compounds is exothermic, energy of
up to 500 J/g (120 cal/g) of cement
being liberated. Because the
thermal conductivity of
concrete is comparatively low, it acts
as an insulator, and in the interior of
a large concrete mass, hydration can
result in a large rise in temperature.

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Heatofhydrationofcement

HeatofHydrationDevelopedAfter72HoursatDifferentTemperatures

HeatofHydrationofPureCompounds

Temperaturerisein1:2:4concrete(water/cementratio
of0.60)madewithdifferentcementsandcured
adiabatically.1.31Thetotalheatofhydrationofeach
cementatthreedaysisshown

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InfluenceofC3Scontentonheat Developmentofheatofhydrationof
evolution(C3Acontentapproximately differentcementscuredat21C(70F)(water/
constant) cementratioof0.40)

Influenceofthecompoundcomposition
onpropertiesofcement

CompoundCompositionLimitsforCementsofASTMC15009

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Developmentofstrengthofpurecompoundsaccordingto
Developmentofstrengthofpure
Beaudoin andRamachandran(reprintedfromref.1.87by
compoundsaccordingtoBogue
kindpermissionofElsevierScienceLtd,Kidlington,U.K.)

DevelopmentofstrengthofpureC3SandC3S Relationbetween7daystrengthofcementpasteandtheC3S
with1percentofAl2O3 contentincement.Eachmarkrepresentscementfrom
oneplant

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Relationbetweentheheatofhydration
Relationbetweencompressive
andtheamountofnonevaporablewater
strengthandcombinedwatercontent
forordinaryPortlandcement

Effectofalkalicontentonacceleratedstrength

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MainTypesofPortlandCement

TypicalValuesofCompoundComposition
ofPortlandCementsofDifferentTypes

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Strengthdevelopmentofconcretescontaining335 Strengthdevelopmentofconcretes
kgofcementpercubicmetre(565lb/yd3)andmade withawater/cementratioof0.49madewith
withcementsofdifferenttypes cementsofdifferenttypes

TypesOfPortlandCement
TYPEI

Type I is a general purpose portland cement suitable for

all uses where the special properties of other types are
not required.
It is used where cement or concrete is not subject to
specific exposures, such as sulfate attack from soil or
water, or to an objectionable temperature rise due to
heat generated by hydration.
Its uses include pavements and sidewalks, reinforced
concrete buildings, bridges, railway structures, tanks,
reservoirs, culverts, sewers, water pipes and masonry
units.

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MainTypesofPortlandCement
British Classification American Classification
Description BS Description ASTM
Ordinary Portland 12:1991 TYPE I C 150-92
Rapid Hardening 12:1991 TYPE III C 150-92
Portland
Low-Heat Portland 1370:1979 TYPE IV C 150-92
Modified Cement - TYPE II C 150-92
Sulphate-Resisting 4027:1991 TYPE V C 150-92
Portland
Portland Blast-furnace 146:1991 TYPE IS C 595-93
(Slag cement) TYPE IS(MS)
Low-Heat Portland 4246:1991 - -
Blast-furnace
White Portland 12:1989 - C 150-92
TYPE IP
Portland-Pozzolan 6588:1985 TYPE P C 595-93
3892:1993 TYPE I(PM)

TypesofPortlandCementContinued
TYPEII
Type II portland cement is used where precaution against
moderate sulfate attack is important, as in drainage
structures where sulfate concentrations in groundwaters
are higher than normal but not unusually severe.
Type II cement will usually generate less heat at a slower
rate than Type I. With this moderate heat of hydration (an
optional requirement), Type II cement can be used in
structures of considerable mass, such as large piers, heavy
abutments, and heavy retaining walls. Its use will reduce
temperature rise, especially important when the concrete
is placed in warm weather.

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TypesOfPortlandCementContinued
TYPE III
Type III is a highearly strength portland cement that
provides high strengths at an early period, usually a
week or less.
It is used when forms are to be removed as soon as
possible, or when the structure must be put into service
quickly. In cold weather, its use permits a reduction in
the controlled curing period.
Although richer mixtures of Type I cement can be used
to gain high early strength, Type III, highearlystrength
portland cement, may provide it more satisfactorily and
more economically.

TypesOfPortlandCementContinued
TYPEIA,IIA,IIIA
Specifications for three types of airentraining
portland cement (Types IA, IIA, and IIIA) are given in
ASTM C 150.
They correspond in composition to ASTM Types I, II,
and III, respectively, except that small quantities of
airentraining materials are interground with the
clinker during manufacture to produce minute,
welldistributed, and completely separated air
bubbles.
These cements produce concrete with improved
resistance to freezethaw action.

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TypesOfPortlandCementContinued
TYPEIV
Type IV is a low heat of hydration cement for use where
the rate and amount of heat generated must be
minimized.
It develops strength at a slower rate than Type I cement.
Type IV portland cement is intended for use in massive
concrete structures, such as large gravity dams, where
the temperature rise resulting from heat generated
during curing is a critical factor.

TypesOfPortlandCementContinued
TYPEV

Type V is a sulfateresisting cement used only in concrete

exposed to severe sulfate action principally where soils
or groundwaters have a high sulfate content.
Table 1 describes sulfate concentrations requiring the use
of Type V portland cement. Low Tricalcium Aluminate
(C3A) content, generally 5% or less, is required when high
sulfate resistance is needed.

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CompressiveStrengthRequirements
ofCementAccordingtoBS12:1996

Lab Test For Cement

ConsistencyTest SettingTime(Vicat Apparatus)
SettingTime(Vicat Apparatus)
Thestiffeningtimeofcementpaste thechangefrom
liquidtorigidstate
CausedbyhydrationofC3AandC3Saccompaniedbytemp.
rises
Initialset rapidrise;finalset peaktemp.
Neatcementpasteofstandardconsistenceisused
Vicat measuresthedepthofpenetrationofaplungerunderits
ownweight

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LabTestsforCement
Title: Determination of Consistency of Standard Cement
Paste
Objective: To determine the normal consistency of a given
sample of cement.
Reference: BS EN 1963 : 2005

Theory:
For finding out initial setting time, final setting time and
soundness of cement, and strength a parameter known as
standard consistency has to be used. The standard
consistency of a cement paste is defined as that consistency
which will permit a Vicat plunger having 10 mm diameter
and 50 mm length to penetrate to a depth of 3335 mm
from the top of the mould.

Apparatus: Vicat apparatus conforming to BS EN 1963 :

2005, Balance, Gauging Trowel, Stop Watch, etc.

VicatApparatus

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LabTestsforCement
Title:DeterminationofSettingTimeofStandardCementPaste
Objective:Todeterminetheinitialandfinalsettingtimeofagivensampleofcement.
Reference:BSEN1963:2005

Theory:
For convenience, initial setting time is regarded as the time elapsed between the moments that the
water is added to the cement, to the time that the paste starts losing its plasticity. The final setting
time is the time elapsed between the moment the water is added to the cement, and the time
when the paste has completely lost its plasticity and has attained sufficient firmness to resist certain
definite pressure.

Apparatus:Vicat apparatusconformingtoBSEN1963:2005,Balance,GaugingTrowel,Stop
Watch,etc.

LabTestsforCement
Title:DeterminationofFinenessofCementbydrysieving
Objective:Todeterminethenormalconsistencyofagivensampleofcement.
Reference:BSEN1971:2000
Theory:
The fineness of cement has an important bearing on the rate of hydration and hence on the rate of
gain of strength and also on the rate of evolution of heat. Finer cement offers a greater surface area
for hydration and hence faster the development of strength. The fineness of grinding has increased
over the years. But now it has got nearly stabilized. Different cements are ground to different
fineness. The particle size fraction below 3 microns has been found to have the predominant effect
on the strength at one day while 325 micron fraction has a major influence on the 28 days strength.
Increase in fineness of cement is also found to increase the drying shrinkage of concrete.
Apparatus:TestSieve90microns,Balance,GaugingTrowel,Brush,etc.

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LabTestForCement

FinenessTest BlainesApparatus
ConsistencyTest SettingTime(Vicat
Apparatus)
SoundnessTest Lechatelier
StrengthTest

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LabTestForCement

FinenessTest
Finenesstestiscarriedouttodeterminethespecific
surface(m2/kg)ofcementparticle
Adirectapproachistomeasuretheparticlesize
distributionbysedimentation;basedonStokesLaw
givingtheterminalvelocityoffallundergravityofspherical
particleinfluidmedium
BS4550:Part3:Section3.3:1978proposedAir
permeabilitymethod(Lea&Nurse)
BlainesApparatus

LabTestsforCement
Title: Determination of Soundness of Cement by LeChatelier method
Objective: To determine the soundness of a given sample of cement by LeChatelier method.
Reference: BS EN 1963 : 2005.,
Theory:
It is very important that the cement after setting shall not undergo any appreciable change of
volume. Certain cements have been found to undergo a large expansion after setting causing
disruption of the set and hardened mass. This will cause serious difficulties for the durability of
structures when such cement is used. The unsoundness in cement is due to the presence of excess
of lime than that could be combined with acidic oxide at the kiln. It is also likely that too high a
proportion of magnesium content or calcium sulphate content may cause unsoundness in cement.
Soundness of cement may be determined by two methods, namely LeChatelier method and
autoclave method

Apparatus: Le Chatelier test apparatus conform to BS EN 1963 : 2005., Balance, Gauging Trowel,
Water Bath etc.

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LabTestForCement

SoundnessTest LeChatelier BS4550:Part3:

Section3.7:1978andBSEN1963fordetecting
unsoundnessduetofreelime
Onceacementpastehasset,itmustnotundergoa
largevolumechange
Suchexpansionisduetoreactionsoffreelime,
magnesiaandcalciumsulphate
Expansionphenomenaistermedasunsoundcement

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LabTestForCement

StrengthTest
BS4550:Part3:Section3.4:1978:compressive
strengthonmortarcementandconcrete
ThesearereplacedbyBSEN196:Part1which
specifiesamortarprismtest

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