4 PRIMARY CEMENT COMPOUNDS & THEIR ROLES

cement compounds

Compounds of Cement About 90-95% of a Portland cement is comprised of the four main cement minerals, which are C3S, C2S, C3A, and C4AF, with the remainder consisting of calcium sulphate, alkali sulphates, unreacted (free) CaO, MgO, and other minor constituents left over from the clinkering and grinding steps. The four cement minerals play very different … Read more

8 FACTORS AFFECTING SETTING & HARDENING OF CEMENT

Factors Affecting the Setting and Hardening of Portland cement (1) The Impact of Cement’s Composition The mineral composition of cement and their ratios are the main factors affecting the setting and hardening of cement. As mentioned above, various mineral components will reveal different characteristics when reacting with water. For example, the increase of C3A can … Read more

HOW TO DO FLOW TABLE TEST FOR CEMENT MORTAR?

Flow Table Test for Cement Mortar The flow table test of cement mortar is done only to calculate the amount of water required for gauging for conducting strength test of masonry cement and for drying shrinkage test of cement. It also gives us some idea on the workability of cement mortar. The amount of water … Read more

TENSILE STRENGTH OF HYDRAULIC CEMENT MORTARS (ASTM-C-190)

Briquette Mold

Tensile Strength Test of Hydraulic Cement Mortars Purpose Determination of the tensile strength of hydraulic cement mortars using briquet specimens. Equipment and Materials 2 kg scale accurate to 0.1 gram Briquet molds Small steel trowels Clips for holding the test specimens Testing machine capable of applying the load at a rate of 2.67 ± 11 … Read more

DENSITY TEST OF HYDRAULIC CEMENT (ASTM-C-188)

How to check quality of cement on site

Test for Density of Hydraulic Cement Purpose Determination of the density of hydraulic cement in connection with the design of Portland cement concrete mixtures Equipment and Materials Standard Le-Chatelier Flask as shown below Heavy rubber pad about 12 in. × 12 in. square Lead ring weight to fit around stem of the flask Funnel Thermometer … Read more

COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF HYDRAULIC CEMENT MORTAR (ASTM-C-109)

Cement Mortar Mix

Compressive Strength Test of Hydraulic Cement Mortar Purpose The following covers only that portion of ASTM Designation: C 109 that is required to determine the compressive strength of 50 mm (2 inches) of Portland cement mortar cubes. Equipment and Materials A 2kg scale accurate to 0.1 gram Six 50 mm (2 inch) cube molds Hard … Read more

WHAT TO CONSIDER WHILE USING PPC, BFSC OR MINERAL ADMIXTURE IN CONCRETE?

point to consider while using mineral admixture in concrete

Points to Consider Mixing of mineral admixtures with OPC at site should not normally be permitted. However for projects requiring use of blended cement from durability and strength considerations, which is not available from the cement manufacturer blending may be permitted through a specific facility created at site with complete automated process control to achieve … Read more

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF PPC (PORTLAND POZZOLANA CEMENT)

Advantages of PPC (Portland Pozzolana Cement)

Advantages of PPC in Fresh Concrete Portland pozzolana cement (PPC) has following advantages when concrete is in its fresh state. 1. Workability Portland pozzolana cement has spherical cement particles and they have higher fineness value. Due to the spherical shape concrete move more freely and more fineness of particles allows better filling of the pores. … Read more