Cement

Portland Cement Production:

Two basic raw ingredients:

calcareous material (limestone,
chalk, or oyster shells) +
argillaceous material (silica and
alumina from clay, shale and blast
furnace slag)

American University of Beirut

Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Faculty of Engineering and Architecture

American University of Beirut

Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Faculty of Engineering and Architecture

Cement
Chemical composition of Portland Cement:
Compound

Chemical formula Common formula Usual range. %wt.

Tricalcium
silicate

3CaO SiO2

C3S

45-60

Dicalcium
Silicate

2CaO SiO2

C2S

15-30

Tricalcium
Aluminate

3CaO Al2O3

C3 A

6-12

Tetracalcium
Aluminoferrite

4CaO Al2O3
Fe2O3

C4AF

6-8

American University of Beirut

Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Faculty of Engineering and Architecture

Cement

Cement Properties and Characteristics

Oxides
Sources
SiO2 (silicon dioxide) - cap rock (Sandstone)
CaO (calcium oxide) - limestone
Oxides used to calculate theoretical cementitious
compounds:
Al2O3 (aluminum oxide) - clay
C3S, C2S, C3A and C4AF
Fe2O3 (ferric oxide)
American University of Beirut

Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Faculty of Engineering and Architecture

Cement
Compounds
Tricalcium Silicate (C3S) hardens rapidly and is largely
responsible for initial set and early strength.
In general, the early strength of portland cement concrete is
higher with increased percentages of C3S.
Dicalcium Silicate (C2S) hardens slowly and contributes largely
to strength increases at ages beyond 7 days.
Tricalcium Aluminate (C3A) liberates a large amount of heat
during the first few days of hardening and, together with C3S
and C2S may somewhat increase the early strength of the
hardening cement (this effect being due to the considerable heat
of hydration that this compound evolves). It does affect set
times.
American University of Beirut

Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Faculty of Engineering and Architecture

Cement
Tetracalcium Aluminoferrite (C4AF) contributes
very slightly to strength gain. However, acts as a flux
during manufacturing. Contributes to the color effects
that makes cement gray.

American University of Beirut

Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Faculty of Engineering and Architecture

Cement

American University of Beirut

Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Faculty of Engineering and Architecture

Cement
Main Types of Portland Cement:
Type

Name

Normal

General concrete work when the special properties of other types

are not needed. Suitable for floors, reinforced structures,
pavements,etc

II

Moderate
Sulfate
resistance

Protection against moderate sulfate exposure. 0.1-0.2% wt. Water

soluble sulfate in soil or 150-1500ppm sulfate in water
(seawater). Can be specified with a moderate heat of hydration
making it suitable for large piers, heavy abutments, and retaining
walls. Also for concrete in warm weather.

III

High early
strength

Used for fast track construction, forms need to be removed as

soon as possible, or structure need to be put in service as soon as
possible. In cold weather reduces time for controlled curing.

IV

Low Heat of
Hydration

Used when mass of structure, careful control of heat of hydration,

such as large dams.

High Sulfate
resistance

Protection from severe sulfate exposure 0.2-2.0% wt. Watersoluble sulfate in soils or 1500-10,800ppm sulfate in water.

Application

American University of Beirut

Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Faculty of Engineering and Architecture

Cement
Required chemical composition and fineness for Portland Cement (ASTM C150)
Type

C3 S

C2 S

C3 A

C4AF

Blaine
Fineness,
m2/kg

55

19

10

380

II

51

24

11

380

III

56

19

10

540

IV

28

49

12

380

38

43

380

American University of Beirut

Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Faculty of Engineering and Architecture

Cement
Types of Portland Cement (contd):
Air entrainers can be added to type I, II, III cement to get
type IA, IIA, IIIA.
Other types such as: white Portland cement, masonry cement,
expansive cements,etc
Specifications of Standard Properties of Portland Cement (ASTM C150)
I
IA
II
IIA
III
IIIA
Air content
%vol
min-max
Fineness
m2/kg, Air
permeability
Time of
setting,
VICAT,
Initial-Final

IV

x-12

16-22

x-12

16-22

x-12

16-22

x-12

X-12

280

280

280

280

280

280

45-375

American University of Beirut

45-375 45-375

45-375

45-375

Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering

45-375

45-375

45-375

Faculty of Engineering and Architecture

Cement
Hydration of Portland Cement (contd):
Primary Chemical reaction during Cement Hydration
2 (3CaO SiO2) + 6H2O
= 3CaO 2SiO2 3H2O + 3 Ca(OH)2
Tricalcium silicate

Water

Calcium silicate Hydrates

Calcium hydroxide

2 (2CaO SiO2) + 4H2O

= 3CaO 2SiO2 3H2O + 3 Ca(OH)2

Dicalcium silicate

Calcium silicate Hydrates

Water

3CaO Al2O3 + 12H2O + Ca(OH)2

Tricalcium aluminate Water Calcium hydroxide

4CaO Al2O3 Fe2O3 + 10H2O + 2Ca(OH)2

Tetracalcium aluminoferrite Water Calcium hydroxide

3CaO Al2O3 + 10H2O + CaSO4 2H2O

Tricalcium aluminate water

American University of Beirut

Gypsum

Calcium hydroxide

= 3CaO AL2O3 Ca(OH)2 12H2O

Calcium aluminate hydrate

= 6CaO Al2O3 Fe2O3 12H2O

Calcium aliminoferrite hydrate

= 3CaO Al2O3 CaSO4 12H2O

Calcium monosulfoaluminate hydrate

Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Faculty of Engineering and Architecture

Cement
Fineness of Portland Cement:
Fineness is important. Since hydration starts at the surface of
cement particles. The larger the surface area the faster the
hydration. i.e finer material results in faster strength
development. Finesses is related to productivity cost and
detrimental to concrete quality.
Blaine air permeability Test (ASTM C204) or
% passing the 0.045mm sieve (No.325) (ASTM C430)

Hydration of Portland Cement:

Hydration is a chemical reaction between cement particles
and water. The solidification of the cement paste relates to
the time of setting.
American University of Beirut

Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Faculty of Engineering and Architecture

Cement
Properties of Hydrated Cement: Quality control issue
Setting: stiffening of the cement paste or change from
plastic to solid state.
Setting = Final - Initial setting levels
Vicat Test (ASTM C191) or Gillmore (ASTM C206)

Soundness: ability of cement paste to retain its volume after

setting.
Le Chtelier Test

Compressive Strength: measured by preparing 50 mm cubes and

subject them to compression (ASTM C109). Minimum values of
compressive strength in ASTM C150

American University of Beirut

Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Faculty of Engineering and Architecture

Cement
Water-Cement Ratio: (Abrams 1918) w/c affects the
concrete quality (strength and other desirable properties).
Hydration requires 0.22 0.25 kg water per 1 kg cement.
Concrete require excess moisture, beyond hydration, for
workability.
As w/c increases. Concrete porosity and permeability
increase, the strength decreases.
Low w/c increases the resistance to weathering, provides
good bond between concrete layers, and between concrete
and steel reinforcement, and limits volume change due to
wetting and drying.

American University of Beirut

Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Faculty of Engineering and Architecture

Cement
Water-Cement Ratio (contd):

MPa

ksi

40

5
30

28-day

MPa
40

28-day
30

20

7-day
2

3-day

7-day

3-day

10

1-day

1
0
0.4

20

10

6
ksi

1-day
0.5

0.6

w/c , air-entrained
concrete
American University of Beirut

0.4

0.5

0.6

Cylinders 15x30 cms w/c , non-air-entrained

concrete
Type I, 21oC cured

Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Faculty of Engineering and Architecture

Cement
Specifications of Standard Properties of Portland Cement (ASTM C150)- (contd)
Comp.
Strength
MPa

IA

II

IIA

III

IIIA

IV

1 day

12.4

10.0

3 days

12.4

10.0

10.3

8.3

24.1

19.3

8.3

7 days

19.3

15.5

17.2

13.8

6.9

15.2

28 days

17.2

20.7

American University of Beirut

Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Faculty of Engineering and Architecture

Cement
Admixtures for Concrete:

Air entrainers
Water reducers
High-range water reducersSuperplasticizers
Retarders
Accelerators
Fine minerals
Specialty admixtures

American University of Beirut

Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Faculty of Engineering and Architecture

Cement
Admixtures for Concrete (contd):
Air entrainers: produce tiny air bubbles in hardened
concrete to provide space for water to expand upon
freezing. ( salts of wood, synthetic)
Water Reducers: minimize the amount of water
required for workability. Increase the mobility of
cement particles in the plastic mix. (no effect on slump,
increase strength, decrease cost using less cement)
Superplasticizers: increase the flow of fresh concrete or
reduce the amount of water required.
Retarders: delay the initial set of concrete ( offset the
effect of hot weather, allow for long distances
placement, provide time for special finishes)

American University of Beirut

Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Faculty of Engineering and Architecture

Cement
Admixtures for Concrete (contd):
Accelerators: develop early strength of concrete at a
faster rate than that developed in normal concrete. The
ultimate strength, however, is the same as in normal
concrete. (reduce curing time, increase rate of strength,
plug leaks under hydraulic pressure efficiently).
Fine minerals: (waste from a production process)
improve the characteristics of both plastic and hardened
concrete ( cementitious, pozzolanic, )
Specialty Admixtures: workability agents, corrosion
inhibitators, damp proofing agents, permeability
reducing agents, pumping aids, bonding agents,
coloring agents,etc.

American University of Beirut

Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Faculty of Engineering and Architecture

Test

ASTM No.

Portland Cement

ASTM C150

American University of Beirut

Limits

Procedure

This specification covers eight types of portland cement,

as follows (see Note 2):
1.1.1 Type IFor use when the special properties
specified for any other type are not required.
1.1.2 Type IAAir-entraining cement for the same uses
as Type I, where air-entrainment is desired.
1.1.3 Type IIFor general use, more especially when
moderate
sulfate resistance or moderate heat of hydration is desired.
1.1.4 Type IIAAir-entraining cement for the same uses
as Type II, where air-entrainment is desired.
1.1.5 Type IIIFor use when high early strength is
desired.
1.1.6 Type IIIAAir-entraining cement for the same use
as Type III, where air-entrainment is desired.
1.1.7 Type IVFor use when a low heat of hydration is
desired.
1.1.8 Type VFor use when high sulfate resistance is
desired.
(see Table 3. Standard Physical Requirements)

Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Faculty of Engineering and Architecture

Test

ASTM No.

Potential Alkali
Reactivity of
CementAggregate
Combinations
(Mortar-Bar
Method)

ASTM C227

American University of Beirut

Procedure
This test method covers the determination of the
susceptibility of cement-aggregate combinations to
expansive reactions involving hydroxyl ions
associated with the alkalies (sodium and potassium)
by measurement of the increase (or decrease) in
length of mortar bars containing the combination
during storage under prescribed conditions of test.
Alkalies participating in the expansive reactions
usually are derived from the cement; under some
circumstances they may be derived from other
constituents of the concrete or from external sources.
Two types of alkali reactivity of aggregates are
recognized: (1) an alkali-silica reaction involving
certain siliceous rocks, minerals, and natural or
artificial glasses and (2) an alkali-carbonate reaction
involving dolomite in certain calcitic dolomites and
dolomitic limestones (see Standard C 294). The
method is not recommended as a means to detect the
latter reaction because expansions produced in the
mortar bar test by the alkali-carbonate reaction (see
Test Method C 586) are generally much less than
those produced by the alkali-silica reaction for
combinations having equally harmful effects in
service.

Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Faculty of Engineering and Architecture

Cement
Table of Equivalence between different Norms

CEN

LIBNOR

ASTM

CEN I ---

TYPE I C150-92

CEN I ---R

P-HR

TYPE III C150-92

CEN I---PRISE MER

P-RMS

TYPE II C150-92

CEN I---PMES

P-RSS

TYPE V C150-92

CEN II/1 ou B-S--

PA-S (RMS)

IS(MS) C592-93

CEN II/A ou B-V

PA-V (RMS)

IP(MS) C592-93

CEN III/A ou B---

C-S RSS/Ch B

S HS-LH C592-93

American University of Beirut

Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Faculty of Engineering and Architecture