Cement and its importance in construction
What is Cement?
Cement is a binder or a substance used in building that sets, hardens, and adheres to other materials to hold them together. Cement is most commonly used to bind sand and gravel together. Cement mixed with fine aggregate yields mortar for brickwork, while cement mixed with sand and gravel yields concrete.
Cement in Concrete
Cement is used as a binding agent in concrete. It is the major reason for utilising cement in concrete. Cement serves as a binding ingredient for both coarse and fine aggregates. Cement works as a binding medium, binds coarse and fine particles in the form of a sticky mass, and gives strength when hardened.
What does cement contain?
Cement is composed of two types of ingredients: calcareous compounds (calcium-rich lime, chalk, and marine shells) and argillaceous compounds (silica-rich clay, marl, and shale). As a result, the two primary ingredients of cement are lime (obtained from calcareous compounds) and silica (obtained from argillaceous compounds), which account for a significant portion of its body. Alumina, calcium sulphate, iron oxide, and magnesia
Components of cement
|
Components |
Percentage |
|
Lime |
61%-67% |
|
Silica |
17%-25% |
|
Alumina |
3%-8% |
|
Calcium sulphate |
3%-4% |
|
Iron oxide |
3%-4% |
|
Magnesia |
1%-3% |
|
Sulphur |
1%-3% |
|
Alkalies |
0.3%-1% |
Density of Cement
Cement density has a significant impact on production and use in the construction industry. Throughout the chemical process, the density of the cement is critical. Its raw mineral production is contained in an enormous oven. This produces "clinker."
Cement production includes stages such as grinding (milling) and mixing. When powdered, it is called cement. Cement-specific density is acknowledged as an important component in the development of cement hydration and strength.
As the average particle size of a cement material drops, its compressive strength increases. To improve properties such as strength, the density of the cement should be coordinated with the design of the concrete mix.
Cement is a common binder and adhesive material in the construction of superstructures, multi-story buildings, bridges, dams, and other civil structures. It works as a binding agent for sand and aggregate.
Understanding the density of the cement used as a binder in concrete is critical. According to studies, the density of conventional cement should be roughly 1440 kg/m3.
|
Cement Types |
Density in Kg/m3 |
|
Lime Mortar |
1600-1840 |
|
Ordinary Cement |
1440 |
|
PCC (Plain Cement Concrete) |
2400 |
What is the relationship between concrete density and concrete strength?
Concrete density ranges from 1.8 to 2.5 tons/m3 depending on the kind (lightweight, conventional, reinforced, etc.). The building weight (dead load) is calculated by multiplying density by volume.
Concrete strength, on the other hand, is a guide for the maximum load that the concrete can withstand before cracking. Concrete strength is calculated by applying increasing force over a specific volume of casted concrete, and once the maximum force is reached to break the concrete sample (cube or cylinder), the force is divided by the sample surface area to obtain the strength.
