Cement is a binder, a chemical substance used for construction that sets, hardens, and adheres to other construction materials to bind them together. Cement is rarely used on its own, but rather to bind sand and gravel together. Cement mixed with fine aggregate produces mortar for masonry, or with sand and gravel produces concrete.
Being the backbone of the construction industry, cement is the core binding substance used in the construction of houses, buildings, roads, bridges etc.
Types of Cement frequently used are
OPC (Ordinary Portland Cement)
Ordinary Portland cement is by far the most common type of cement in general use around the world. It produces the medium range of strength development and heat generation. OPC cement is resistant to the dry shrinkage and cracking, faster initial setting & curing time; but it has less resistance to chemical attack. The most common use for Portland cement is to make concrete.
OPC has been classified in two different grades as 43 & 53 in accordance to the compressive strength of the cement after 28 days of setting.
PPC (Portland Pozzolana Cement)
Portland Pozzolana Cement is prepared by adding pozzolanic materials such as fly ash, silica fumes to OPC. It exhibits higher long-term strength and generates less heat during hydration which minimizes thermal cracking.It also shows improved durability in aggressive weather conditions as it has lower permeability and higher resistance against chemical attacks, making it more suitable for long-lasting structures.
PSC (Portland Slag Cement)
Portland Slag Cement is manufactured by grinding burnt furnace slag to suitable fineness and mixed with ordinary portland cement in a particular ratio. It is lower cost compared to OPC, gives lighter & smooth finish, but could not be used in a thin RCC structure since its early stage strength is very less.