Cement

What is concrete?
1. Cement: Cement is the binding agent that is added to the mixture to hold the
concrete together
2. Water: Water is used to hydrate the cement and create a chemical reaction that
hardens the mixture. Proper water-to-cement ratio is essential for strength
and durability of the concrete.
3. Aggregate: Aggregates are the materials that are added to the mixture to create
volume and bulk. They are typically made up of sand, gravel, crushed
stone, or recycled materials
4. Admixtures: Admixtures are chemicals added to the mixture to enhance the
properties of the concrete. They can be used to modify the setting time,
workability, and strength of the mixture. Admixtures include air-
entraining agents, water-reducing agents, retarders, accelerators, and
others.
Proportions and proper mixture of these components is essential to create a consistent
and strong concrete mixture.
What is cement?
Cement is a powdery substance made by calcining lime and clay, finely grinding the
resulting material and heating it to a high temperature to form a hard mass. It is the
binding agent used in the production of concrete, which is a mixture of cement,
aggregate, and water. Cement provides the strength and hardness to concrete, and its
chemical properties determine the properties of the concrete mixture, such as setting
time and strength development.
What is Cement components?
Cement is made up of mainly four components:
1. Calcium oxide (CaO) or lime: Lime is the primary chemical component of
cement. It is necessary for cement to contain between 62% and 67% of calcium
oxide to meet the requirements of the ASTM C150 standard.
2. Silica (SiO2): Silica is another essential component of cement. It is responsible for
controlling the rate of setting and hardening of the cement.
3. Alumina (Al2O3): Alumina is added to cement to increase its compressive strength
and improve its resistance to chemicals and harsh environmental
conditions.
4. Iron oxide (Fe2O3): Iron oxide gives cement its distinctive coloration, usually
either gray or brown.
In addition to these primary components, cement can also contain small amounts of
other materials, such as magnesium oxide, iron oxide, and sulfates. The
specific combination of these elements, along with the manufacturing
process used, determines the type and properties of the cement produced.
Properties of cement?
1. Setting Time: This is the time taken for the cement to harden after water is added
to it. Setting time can be initial or final. Setting time is affected by the
amount of gypsum added during the manufacturing process.
2. Compressive Strength: This is the ability of the cement to withstand compressive
forces without cracking or breaking. The compressive strength of cement
is determined by the amount of calcium silicates and aluminates present
in the cement.
3. Fineness: This refers to the particle size of cement. The finer the particles, the
better the cement is able to fill pores in the concrete mix. Fineness is
important because it affects the workability and setting time of the
cement.
4. Heat of Hydration: This is the amount of heat produced when cement reacts with
water. Heat of hydration is important because if the temperature rises too
quickly it could cause the concrete to crack.
5. Soundness: Soundness refers to the ability of cement to resist change in volume or
shape after it has hardened. Soundness is affected by the presence of
uncombined lime or magnesia.
6. Color: The color of the cement depends on the amount of iron oxide present in the
cement mixture.

Factors Affecting Cement Properties?

1. Composition: The composition of the raw materials affects the properties of
cement. For example, the presence of sulfates or alkalis will affect the
setting and hardening time of cement.
2. Manufacturing Process: It affects the chemical and physical properties of cement.
3. Curing: Proper curing is important to ensure optimal strength and durability of the
concrete mixture. Improper curing can cause cracking and other damages
to the concrete structure.
4. Climate: Climate conditions such as temperature and humidity can affect the
setting time and strength development of cement.
5. Water/Cement Ratio: The water/cement ratio affects the workability and strength
of the cement mixture. A high water/cement ratio can reduce the strength
of the concrete mix.
Types of cement and its components, properties, and uses?
1. Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC):
Components: It is composed of clinker, gypsum, and small amounts of other
ingredients.
Properties: It has high initial strength and good durability. It sets and hardens quickly.
Uses: Construction work such as buildings, bridges, roads, and waterworks.
2. Rapid Hardening Cement:
Components: It is composed of a higher percentage of C 3S and finer grinding.
Properties: It has higher strength at an early age relative to OPC.
Uses: Precast concrete structures, road works, and emergency repair jobs.
3. Sulphate Resisting Cement:
Components: It contains a lower percentage of C 3A and higher percentage of C4AF
compared to OPC.
Properties: It is resistant to sulphates in soil and water, which can attack concrete.
Uses: Foundries, sewage treatment plants, and coastal areas.
4. Low Heat Cement:
Components: It contains a lower percentage of C 3S and C3A and a higher percentage
of C2S compared to OPC.
Properties: It generates less heat of hydration, which is useful in large concrete
structures.
Uses: Massive concrete structures such as dams and bridges.
5. Pozzolanic Cement:
Components: It is composed of OPC and pozzolanic materials :
Pozzolanic materials are materials that, when mixed with lime and water, react to
form compounds with cement-like properties. These compounds then
contribute to the strength and durability of concrete. Examples of
pozzolanic materials include:
1. Fly ash: it is a byproduct of coal combustion and is commonly used as a pozzolanic
material in concrete. It increases the strength and workability of concrete
while reducing its porosity.
2. Ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS): it is a byproduct of iron
production and is used as a pozzolanic material in concrete. It improves
the durability, strength, and workability of concrete.
3. Silica fume: it is a byproduct of the silicon metal and ferrosilicon alloy production
and is used as a pozzolanic material in concrete. It enhances the strength,
durability, and abrasion resistance of concrete.
4. Natural pozzolans: Natural pozzolans, such as volcanic ash and calcined clay, are
naturally occurring substances that react with lime to form cementitious
compounds. They are used as a pozzolanic material in concrete to
increase its strength, durability, and workability.
5. Metakaolin: it is a calcined form of kaolin clay and is used as a pozzolanic
material in concrete. It enhances the strength, durability, and workability
of concrete while reducing its permeability.
Properties: It improves the durability and workability of concrete.
Uses: Marine structures, offshore platforms, and chemical plants.
6. White Cement:
Components: It contains a high percentage of C 3S compared to OPC, and it uses a low
iron oxide content raw material.
Properties: It produces a white finish, which is useful for aesthetic purposes.
Uses: Architectural purposes and decorative concrete work.
7. Hydrophobic Cement:
Components: It contains a waterproofing agent, such as oleic acid, in the grinding
process.
Properties: It repels water, and it is useful in watertight construction.
Uses: Bridges, dams, and water storage tanks.
8. Colored Cement:
Components: It contains pigments such as iron oxide, chromium oxide, or titanium
dioxide to produce colors.
Properties: It produces decorative concrete finishes that are limited only by the
imagination.
Uses: Flooring, paving, and walls.
9. Expansive Cement:
Components: It contains expansive agents, such as calcium sulfoaluminate.
Properties: It expands after hardening with a stress similar to that of concrete, making
it useful in pre-stressed concrete structures.
Uses: Bridge decks, airport runways, and roadways.

What is the factors that affecting to how to choose the type of cement?
1. Purpose of the structure: The use of the structure, such as residential, commercial,
industrial, or infrastructure, will help determine the type of cement
required.
2. Environmental conditions: The surrounding environment, temperature range,
location near sea or chemicals, and exposure to harsh weather conditions
will affect the durability and performance of the concrete.
3. Strength requirement: The strength requirement of the concrete will determine the
type of cement needed to achieve high strength and durability, such as
high early strength, rapid hardening, or sulphate-resisting cement.
4. Construction timeline: The required construction time and time to achieve
strength and where faster setting and early strength development might be
necessary will determine the type of cement to be used, such as rapid
hardening or extra-rapid hardening cement.
5. Cost: The economic viability of using a particular type of cement will factor into
the decision-making process of cement selection.
6. Availability: The availability of cement in the local area and transportation cost
may influence the choice of cement.
7. Sustainability and environmental concerns: The carbon footprint of the cement
production process and the environmental impact of the cement related to
raw materials extraction, consumption of energy, and emissions of
greenhouse gases will affect the selection of the type of cement, such as
low carbon cements, or blended cements with supplementary
cementitious materials (SCMs).

References:
- Concrete technology, 2nd edition book.
- Concrete lecture notes.