CEMENT

Britannica Concise Encyclopedia:

portland cement

Binding agent of present-day concrete. It is a finely ground powder made by burning and grinding a limestone mixed with clay or shale. Its inventor, Joseph Aspdin (17991855), patented the process in 1824, naming the material for its resemblance to the limestone of the Isle of Portland, England. The cement combines chemically with the water it is mixed with, then hardens and strengthens. McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Architecture & Construction:

portland cement

A cementitious binder used in most modern structural concrete; manufactured by grinding and burning a mixture of limestone with clay or shale with a small amount of gypsum. It is mixed with water and an aggregate (such as sand and/or gravel) to form a thick, heavy liquid that dries as a monolithic product. Although cement was developed by the ancient Romans, portland cement was first developed in England in 1824; since then, its tensile strength has greatly increased.

What is Cement? Cement is the binder which binds other materials together and have a tendency to set and harden independently. Cements are usually produced by a process called calcination in which limestone is heated with small quantities of other materials, such as clay, to a temperature of 1450 degree C in a kiln. The resulting hard substance (Commonly called clinker) is then ground to small pieces with a small amount of gypsum to form Ordinary Portlant Cement. Cements which are commonly used in construction can be either hydraulic or non-hydraulic. The setting reaction in hydraulic cements occurs independently of the mixtures water content, whereas, the setting of non-hydraulic cements is affected by the presence of water. Non- hydraulic cements lose their hardness when exposed to more amount of water and thus, should be kept dry.

Types of Cement? The different types of cements available are:

1. ORDINARY PORTLAND CEMENT:

Commonly referred to as OPC, it is the most commonly used cement. This type of cement is produced by intergrinding of clinker along with 3-5% Gypsum only. Depending on the strength required, OPC is further classified into OPC 53,43 and 33 Grade. 53 Grade OPC: This is high strength cement manufactured to meet the need for high strength concrete. The 28 days compressive strength of 53 Grade OPC is more than 53MPa. The use of this type of cement is very important for certain specialised works like prestressed concrete and certain items of pre-cast concrete that requires consistently high strength concrete. This is also very economical type of cement.

53 Grade OPC finds its application in RCC works, precast concrete items like paving blocks, tiles, building blocks, runways, concrete roads, bridges etc. 43 Grade OPC: It is the most popular general purpose cement used. It finds its application in general construction work, RCC work, asbestos products like bricks, tiles, pipes, non structural works like plastering, flooring etc; and for fabrication of pre cast items such as blocks, tiles, pipes etc. The minimum compressive strength of this type of cement is 43Mpa. 33 Grade OPC: The compressive strength of this cement after 28 days is atleast 33 MPa. This type of cement is used for general civil construction purposes under normal environmental conditions. Due to its lower compressive strength, it is not used often. It is more useful for mass concreting and plain cement concreting. It is used mainly for plastering or for construction of single storeyed houses.
2. SULPHATE RESISTING PORTLAND CEMENT:

In this type of cement, the amount of tricalcium aluminate is restricted to below 5% and (2 C3A + C4AF) is lower than 25%. As the name suggests, this type of cement is resistant to sulphur attacks. Thus, it is mainly used in concreting which is done in marine conditions or in concrete foundations beneath which the soil is high in sulphur content or in cases when some sewage work is done.

3. PORTLAND POZZOLANA CEMENT (PPC):

This is a type of blended cement which is produced when OPC clinker is grinded along with gypsum and pozzolanic materials. It can also be manufactured by grinding OPC, gypsum and pozzolanic material separately and then blending them. The pozzolanic materials commonly used are volcanic ash, calcined clay, fly ash or silica fumes. PPC or Portland Pozzolana Cement produces a less heat of hydration. It also offers a great amount of resistance to the attack of aggressive waters than ordinary cement. Thus, it is best suited for use in Hydraulic structures and Marine structures. Moreover, it reduces the leaching of calcium hydroxide that is liberated during the setting of cement.

4. RAPID HARDENING C EMENT:

As the name suggests itself, this type of cement hardens at a very rapid pace. It also develops a high strength at an early stage as compared to OPC. It is suitable for use in pre-fabricated construction works or at places whereframework has to be removed for re use. It is also sometimes used in road repairs too.
5. PORTLAND SLAG CEMENT:

This type of cement has property of sulphur resistance like Sulphur resistance cement. But it contains higher percentage of granulated slag, has higher sulphur resistance and more fineness than OPC. Although it is mostly used

in Belgium, it finds use in the foundation works or the sea works where a high degree of sulphate resistance is necessary.

6. LOW HEAT CEMENT:

Since high heat of hydration can produce cracks in the structure, a low heat cement is required in the massive construction works.

7. COLORED CEMENTS:

This is basically white in color but can be colored to any other by adding suitable colored pigments in OPC or PPC. It is used to aesthetically enhance the appearance and finish of the structure. The limestone used to manufacture this type of cement is found at very rare areas.

8. HYDROPHOBIC CEMENTS:

One of the biggest challenges to the builders is to store large quantity of cement for massive construction and protect it from the water present in the environment. This is done by the use of hydrophobic cement which is manufactured by grinding the OPC clinker with substance like Oleic Acid or Stearic Acid that have a film forming nature. These agents reduce the rate of deterioration, hence providing a longer storage life to the cement.

9. MASONRY CEMENT:

As per the name, this type of cement is used for masonry works. They have properties similar to lime mortars. Certain admixtures are used to modify its property.

Pozzolana
(also pozzuolana or pozzolan), rocks consisting of loose products of volcanic eruptions (ash, tuffs, pumice). Owing to its hydraulic activity (the absorption of milligrams of CaO from 1 g of lime solution), pozzolana is used as a hydraulic additive in the production of binding materials called pozzolana cements. Similar hydraulic cements are called trasses. Large deposits of pozzolana are located in Italy. In the USSR deposits of pozzolana and trass are found in the Northern Caucasus (city of Nalchik), in the Crimea (Mount Karadag), and the Armenian SSR.

Portland Pozzolana Cement (PPC) The Portland Pozzolana Cement is a kind of Blended Cement which is produced by either intergrinding of OPC clinker along with gypsum and pozzolanic materials in certain proportions or grinding the OPC clinker, gypsum and Pozzolanic materials separately and thoroughly blending them in certain proportions. Pozzolana is a natural or artificial material containing silica in a reactive form. It may be further discussed as siliceous or siliceous and aluminous material 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. It is essential that pozzolana be in a finely divided state as it is only then that silica can combine with calcium hydroxide (liberated by the hydrating Portland Cement) in the presence of water to form stable calcium silicates which have cementitious properties. The pozzolanic materials commonly used are: Volcanic ash

Calcined clay Fly ash lica fumes OPC is environment friendly as well as economical

opc ordinary portland cement cement whole cement and nothing but cement pozzolanic cement is a blend of opc and another compound usually fly ash Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) [or other cementitious materials] has a property of hydraulic setting, binding and hardening when mixed with water. Some materials undergo hydraulic setting when combined with water in presence of cements, but not by itself. These are called Pozzolanic materials. In other words, pozzolanic material + water does not set. Pozzolanic material+water+cement sets. Examples of pozzolanic materials are fly ash, blast furnace slag, brick powder (surkhi), rice husk ash etc. A commercial cement formed by mixing proportions of OPC and any pozzolaanic material, is called Pozzolanic Portland Cement PPC. PPC can be made as good, durable and strong as OPC with prooper mixing ratio. It is generally slow setting and sulphate resistant. Moreover, it is environment friendly serving to recycle waste products such as fly ash and slag.

OPC - Ordianry Portland Cement OPC is obtained by adding raw materials like calcareous materials and argillaceous materials. PPC - Portland Pozzolona Cement PPC is obtained by adding pozzolonic materials like flyash, pumicites, volcanic ashes, shales, tuffs, etc.,

What is the difference between pozzolan and portland cement? Portland cement develops strength faster than Pozzolan cement but levels or surpasses strength that of Portland after 28 days. When should you use pozzolan cement? Pozzolan cement can be used for all construction purposes. It is most advantageous to use for structures near the sea or structures exposed to sea water and fresh water, for liquid-bearing structures and for construction jobs like slabs, walls, plastering, finishing, and tile manufacturing. What is the difference between setting time and curing time? Setting time is the time for a specimen of cement to attain a specified degree of rigidity while curing time is the time required for the maintenance of satisfactory moisture content and temp. of the cement specimen so that desired properties develop.

Water
The water hydrates the cement and hardened concrete is created. http://books.google.com.ph/books?id=bZni0-

48PngC&pg=PA32&lpg=PA32&dq=water+in+reinforced+concrete+design&source=bl&ots=kAIKdgwN_&sig=g01bl2vQYT9kTXsfbbxQeOg_5xY&hl=en&sa=X&ei=UDXST7_dKbH0mAWnqLD1Ag&ved=0CFoQ6AEwBw#v=onepa ge&q=water%20significant&f=false

Concrete -is a mixture of water, cement, sand, gravel,crushed rock, or other aggregates are held together to form rocklike materials.

Reinforced Concrete, -it is composed of concrete and reinforcing bars that act together to provide tensile stress and compressive stress, as a structural member concrete cannot made to be carry the tensile stress since concrete is good only for compression, In this connection, It is necessary to provide a reinforcing bar to provide the tensile strength that concrete does not have.

Aggregates -aggregates used in concrete may be fine aggregates (sand) and course aggragates (gravel or crushed stone). The nominal maximum sizes of course aggregates are as follows 1/5 the narrowest dimension between side of forms, 1/3 the depth of the slabs, 3/4 the minimum clear spacing between individual reinforcing bars or wires, bundles of bars.This is based in section 5.3.3 of NSCP.

Water -to complete the mixture of the cement and the aggregates to form a concrete. according to section 5.3.4 water may used in the mixing of concrete must be clean. free from oils, salts, alkalis. and organic materials. Aggregates The other major part of concrete besides the cement is the aggregate. Aggregates include sand, crushed stone, gravel, slag, ashes, burned shale, and burned clay. Fine aggregate (fine refers to the size of aggregate) is used in making concrete slabs and smooth surfaces. Coarse aggregate is used for massive structures or sections of cement. Concrete
In its simplest form, concrete is a mixture of paste and aggregates. Through a chemical reaction called hydration, the paste hardens and gains strength to form the rock-like mass known as concrete.

Concrete is a material used in building construction, consisting of a hard, chemically inert particulate substance, known as an aggregate (usually made from different types of sand and gravel), that is bonded together by cement and water.

Reinforced concrete

Reinforced concrete has non-mineral (not cement, stone, sand or water) inclusions in it to add strength - steel or aluminum mesh, reinforcing bar (usually steel), fabrics or fibers or any of several other materials. Reinforced concrete is

concrete mixed with very strong materials that increase the strength under tension of the concrete, making it less likely to fail. The development of reinforced concrete dates to the mid-1800s, and it proved to be a revolutionary innovation in building design. Today, reinforced concrete is one of the most common building materials in the world for both entire buildings and key structural elements that need to be able to withstand substantial stress.

Concrete that includes imbedded metal (usually steel) is called reinforced concrete or ferroconcrete. Reinforced concrete was invented (1849) by Joseph Monier, who received a patent in 1867. Joseph Monier was a Parisian gardener who made garden pots and tubs of concrete reinforced with an iron mesh. Reinforced concrete combines the tensile or bendable strength of metal and the compressional strength of concrete to withstand heavy loads. Joseph Monier exhibited his invention at the Paris Exposition of 1867. Besides his pots and tubs, Joseph Monier promoted reinforced concrete for use in railway ties, pipes, floors, arches, and bridges.

Rebars
A rebar (short for reinforcing bar), also known as reinforcing steel,reinforcement steel, rerod, a deformed bar, reo, or reo bar, is a common steel bar, and is commonly used as a tensioning device inreinforced concrete and reinforced masonry structures holding the concrete in compression. It is usually formed from carbon steel, and is given ridges for better mechanical anchoring into the concrete. Concrete is a material that is very strong in compression, but relatively weak intension. To compensate for this imbalance in concrete's behavior, rebar is cast into it to carry the tensile loads.

Rebar is a reinforcement bar that is normally used in both reinforced concrete and reinforced masonry structures. Normally it is formed from carbon steel and is given ridges for better frictional adhesion to concrete. It is also considered as a reinforcement or reinforcing steel. CREEP
Concrete creep is defined as: deformation of structure under sustained load. Basically, long term pressure or stress on concrete can make it change shape. This deformation usually occurs in the direction the force is being applied. Like a concrete column getting more compressed, or a beam bending. Creep does not necessarily cause concrete to fail or break apart. Creep is factored in when concrete structures are designed.

Factors Affecting Creep

1. Aggregate 2. Mix Proportions 3. Age of concrete

1. Influence of Aggregate
Aggregate undergoes very little creep. It is really the paste which is responsible for the creep. However, the aggregate influences the creep of concrete through a restraining effect on the magnitude of creep. The paste which is creeping under load is restrained by aggregate which do not creep. The stronger the aggregate the more is the restraining effect and hence the less is the magnitude of creep. The modulus of elasticity of aggregate is one of the important factors influencing creep. It can be easily imagined that the higher the modulus of elasticity the less is the creep. Light weight aggregate shows substantially higher creep than normal weight aggregate.

2. Influence of Mix Proportions:

The amount of paste content and its quality is one of the most important factors influencing creep. A poorer paste structure undergoes higher creep. Therefore, it can be said that creep increases with increase in water/cement ratio. In other words, it can also be said that creep is inversely proportional to the strength of concrete. Broadly speaking, all other factors which are affecting the water/cement ratio are also affecting the creep.

3. Influence of Age:
Age at which a concrete member is loaded will have a predominant effect on the magnitude of creep. This can be easily understood from the fact that the quality of gel improves with time. Such gel creeps less, whereas a young gel under load being not so stronger creeps more. What is said above is not a very accurate statement because of the fact that the moisture content of the concrete being different at different age also influences the magnitude of creep.

Effects of Creep on Concrete and Reinforced Concrete

In reinforced concrete beams, creep increases the deflection with time and may be a critical consideration in design. In eccentrically loaded columns, creep increases the deflection and can load to buckling. In case of statically indeterminate structures and column and beam junctions creep may relieve the stress concentration induced by shrinkage, temperatures changes or movement of support. Creep property of concrete will be useful in all concrete structures to reduce the internal stresses due to non-uniform load or restrained shrinkage. In mass concrete structures such as dams, on account of differential temperature conditions at the interior and surface, creep is harmful and by itself may be a cause of cracking in the interior of dams. Therefore, all precautions and steps must be taken to see that increase in temperature does not take place in the interior of mass concrete structure. Loss of prestress due to creep of concrete in prestressed concrete structure.

Curing
What does it mean to "cure" concrete?
Curing is one of the most important steps in concrete construction, because proper curing greatly increases concrete strength and durability. Concrete hardens as a result of hydration: the chemical reaction between cement and water. However, hydration occurs only if water is available and if the concrete's temperature stays within a suitable range. During the curing period-from five to seven days after placement for conventional concrete-the concrete surface needs to be kept moist to permit the hydration process. new concrete can be wet with soaking hoses, sprinklers or covered with wet burlap, or can be coated with commercially available curing compounds, which seal in moisture.

Concrete Curing Process

Curing concrete is the process that prevents the recently poured concrete from drying too rapidly. This is to ensure that the concrete will acquire the desired chemical and mechanical properties. If the concrete drying process is uncontrolled, the concrete mix will not acquire the desired binding strength between the constituents. The aggregate will be vulnerable to cracking, and the concrete may not be able to withstand the applied structural loads. There are numerous factors that need to be considered thoughtfully to ensure proper concrete curing, including water, temperature, time, and wind. The

compressive strength of concrete that has been properly cured is 75 to 95 per cent more than the concrete that has not been cured.
ASR Alkali-silica reaction (ASR) can cause serious expansion and cracking in concrete, resulting in major structural problems and sometimes necessitating demolition. ASR is caused by a reaction between the hydroxyl ions in the alkaline cement pore solution in the concrete and reactive forms of silica in the aggregate (eg: chert, quartzite, opal, strained quartz crystals). Alkalisilica reaction (ASR) is a chemical reaction between ions dissolved in the cement pore solution and reactive silica phases in the aggregate particles. This reaction causes swelling and microcracking of the aggregates and the cement paste. Damages are also visible in the concrete structure surface and may take a variety of forms, from typical non-oriented surface cracking known as map-cracking, to highly oriented cracks in zones where concrete is stressed. Resulting damage changes the physical properties of concrete and influences non-destructive measurements.

Reinforced Concrete is a structural material, is widely used in many types of structures. It is competitive with steel if economically designed and executed.

Advantages of reinforced concrete

It has relatively high compressive strength It has better resistance to fire than steel It has long service life with low maintenance cost In some types of structures, such as dams, piers and footings, it is most economical structural material It can be cast to take the shape required , making it widely used in pre-cast structural components It yields rigid members with minimum apparent deflection Yield strength of steel is about 15 times the compressive strength of structural concrete and well over 100 times its tensile strength By using steel, cross sectional dimesions of structural members can b ereduced e.g in lower floor columns

Disadvantages of reinforced concrete

It needs mixing, casting and curing, all of which affect the final strength of concrete The cost of the forms used to cast concrete is relatively high

It has low compressive strength as compared to steel (the ratio is about 1:10 depending on material) which leads to large sections in columns/beams of multistory buildings Cracks develop in concrete due to shrinkage and the application of live loads

As a construction material Concrete has the following advantages: 1. Concrete can handle the compression stresses 10 times more than the tension and the most of loads in our life is compression. 2. Concrete is a britile material which gives the advantage to make a rigid structure. 3. Easy to handle over specially now there is plants that give you ready mix concrete. The disadvantages: 1. Concrete is weak in handling tension. 2. Because concrete is a britile material the strength upon shear (specially at 45 degress) must be checked. 3. Needs another material to reinforce it against excessive shear and tension, In my openion these are the major things for concrete.

Benefits

Concrete offers superior protection against storms and criminal activity. A high percentage of new banks use concrete, reinforced with steel, in the construction process, including interior concrete walls. Additionally, concrete construction offers a high level of fire resistance and decreases unwanted noise.

Read more: Advantages & Disadvantages of Concrete Building | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/about_4617185_advantagesdisadvantages-concrete-building.html#ixzz1xE4TkTln