Cement is an essential substance used in the construction industry and has been discovered to be particularly effective for foundation strengthening. But then there’s the matter of which cement grades are available and which are the best. The grades dictate the compression strength and how plaster, mortar, and concrete bond together. Megapascal is the unit of measurement for grades (Mpa). In addition to grades, the Indian Standard Codes (ISC) assist engineers, designers, and architects in determining the finest quality.
This article will look at the many grades of cement, their characteristics and their importance in construction.
Source- Pinterest
See also: What is the correct water-cement ratio?
Different cement grades used in construction
The following are the most common grades of cement used in construction:
Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC)
Ordinary Portland Cement, or OPC, is the most common type of cement in the world. It is classified into three classes based on the compressive strength reached after 28 days of setting: 33, 43, and 53. OPC is a material that is used in mortar, concrete, stucco, and non-specialty grouts.
Given below are the OPC parameters according to Indian norms.
33 Grade
The chemical parameters of the grade are as follows:
The percentage of lime to the percentages of silica, alumina, and iron oxide must be between 0.66 and 1.02
The following are the grade’s physical properties:
Avg. Compressive Strength in N/sq millimetre- 16 for 3 days setting time, 22 for 7 days setting time, and 33 for 28 days setting time.
The setting time is 30 minutes minimum and 600 minutes maximum.
43 Grade
It is used for general construction uses like flooring, brickwork, and plastering.
The chemical parameters of the grade are as follows:
The percentage of lime to the percentages of silica, alumina, and iron oxide must be between 0.66 and 1.02.
The physical parameters of the grade are as follows:
Avg. Compressive Strength in N/sq millimetre- 23 for 3 days, 33 for 7 days, and 43 for 28 days.
The setting time is 30 minutes minimum and 600 minutes maximum.
Its Indian Standard Code is 8112
53 Grade
The chemical parameters of the grade are as follows:
The percentage of lime to the percentages of silica, alumina, and iron oxide must be between 0.8 and 1.02.
The following are the grade’s physical properties:
Avg. Compressive Strength in N/sq millimetre- 27 for 3 days, 37 for 7 days, and 53 for 28 days setting time.
The setting time is 30 minutes minimum and 600 minutes maximum.
Usage: General construction, including bridges, multi-story structures, and highways.
Portland Slag Cement (PSC)
Because of its great strength and long-lasting capabilities, it is preferred over OPC in harsh conditions, such as maritime applications or wastewater treatment. It is resistant to harsh chemical reactions such as chloride and sulphate assaults, as well as corrosion. 455 is its Indian Standard Code.
Portland Pozzolana Cement (PPC)
It is known for its good corrosion resistance, fineness, durability, and great impermeability. It is favoured over OPC for bridge footings, marine structures, hydraulic structures such as retaining walls and dams, and basic masonry constructions. 1489 P-2 is its Indian Standard Code.
Hydrophobic Portland Cement
It is more expensive than OPC and is not widely accessible in the market. It repels water well and is not impacted by excessive humidity, therefore it is used in severe weather and locations with a lot of rain. This type of cement is widely used in the building of dams, spillways, and underwater structures. 8043 is its Indian Standard Code.
White cement
Among other things, cement is used to repair floors, roofs, and marble tiles. It is also used for interior and exterior decoration, such as ornamental concrete products and facing slabs, among other things. Its chemical makeup is nearly identical to that of Ordinary Portland Cement; however, it is white in colour. Its IS code is 8042.
Sulphate resisting cement
It is employed when the structure comes into contact with groundwater, dirt, the seacoast, or the ocean. In such cases, it is utilised in place of ordinary Portland cement. IS: 12330 is the codename for it.
Rapid hardening cement
This sort of cement is used to repair and expedite the construction process. It takes less time to start up and gains strength quickly. IS: 8041 is its codename.
FAQs
What are the applications of hydrophobic Portland cement?
Dams, underwater structures, and spillways, among other things, are built with this cement. It is also employed in building projects that take place in cold weather.
What is the purpose of using quick hardening cement?
Rapid hardening cement is used for quick repairs and to speed up construction.
What are the various cement grades?
In the Indian market, three grades of Ordinary Portland cement are available: grade 33 (IS:269), grade 43 (IS:8112), and grade 53. (IS:12269). M20 grade concrete, grade 33, is used for plastering. Precast, plastering, and flooring all use Grade 43. It is made of M30 concrete.
| Got any questions or point of view on our article? We would love to hear from you.
Write to our Editor-in-Chief Jhumur Ghosh at jhumur.ghosh1@housing.com |
Â
