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Now-a-days, varieties of cement are available in the market,
each catering to specific requirement of construction. Many
a time, the consumer does not have full knowledge about the
specific uses and the basis on which he should make proper selection
of the variety and grade of cement. Here are some common types
of cement normally available in the market and the general applications
of these varieties of cement.
53 Grade Cement
53 Grade OPC is a high strength cement that caters to the needs
of the consumer for high strength concrete. As per BIS requirements,
the minimum 28 days compressive strength of 53 Grade OPC should
not be less than 53 Mpa. For certain specialised works, such
as prestressed concrete and certain items of precast concrete
requiring consistently high strength concrete, the use of 53
Grade OPC is found very useful. 53 Grade OPC produces higher-Grade
concrete at very economical cement content. They can be used
for the following applications.
RCC works (Preferably where grade of concrete is M-25 and
above).
Precast concrete items such as paving blocks, tiles, building
blocks, etc.
Prestressed concrete components.
Runways, concrete Roads, Bridges etc.
Multistorey buildings.
43 Grade Cement
43 grade OPC is the most popular general-purpose cement in
the Indian market today. The production of 43 grade OPC is
nearly 50% of the total production of cement in the country.
The 43 grade OPC can be used for following applications:
General Civil Engineering construction work
RCC works (preferably where grade of concrete is up to M-30)
Precast items such as blocks, tiles, pipes, etc.
Asbestos products such as sheets and pipes
Non-structural works such as plastering, flooring, etc.
The compressive strength of cement at 28 days when tested
as per IS code shall be minimum 43 Mpa. Characteristic strength
requirements of this cement are given in the chart.
Blended Cement
This is a kind of Blended Cement, which is produced by intergrinding
of OPC clinker along with gypsum and pozzolanic materials in
certain proportions. Pozzolana is a natural or artificial material
containing silica in a reactive form, which in itself possesses
little, or no cementitious properties, but will in finely divided
form and in the presence of moisture, chemically react with
calcium hydroxide at ordinary temperature to form compounds
possessing cementitious properties. The pozzolanic materials
commonly used are:
Volcanic ash
Calcined clay
Fly ash
Silica fumes
The portland Pozzolana Cement makes concrete more impermeable
and denser as compared to Ordinary Portland Cement. The long-term
strength (90 days and above) of Pozzolana cement is better
compared to OPC. The pozzolanic material reacts with calcium
hydroxide liberated by the hydrating Portland Cement and forms
cementitious compounds generally known as C-S-H gel. The flyash
converts Ca(OH)2 into useful cementitious compound (C3S2H3),
thereby increasing the properties of hardened cement. The
Portland Pozzolana Cement produces less heat of hydration
and offers greater resistance to the attack of aggressive
waters than normal Portland Cement. Moreover, it reduces the
leaching of calcium hydroxide liberated during the setting
and hydration of cement concrete.
The Portland Pozzolana Cement is ideally suited for the following
construction
.
Hydraulic structures
Mass concreting works
Marine structures
Masonry mortars and plastering
Under aggressive conditions.
All other application where OPC is used.
Sulphur Resisting Portland Cement (RCC)
Sulphur Resisting Cement 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 seawater or exposed directly to the
seacoast.
The use of SRC is recommended for the following applications:
Foundations, piles
Basements and underground structures
Sewage and Water treatment plants
Chemical, Fertilizers and Sugar factories
Food processing industries and Petrochemical projects
Coastal works
Also for normal construction works where OPC is used.
Construction of building along the coastal area within 50
Km from the sea.
| Source: The
India Cements Limited |
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