| When you decide to begin building your house, one | | | | to build a strong foundation of concrete. |
| of the most important considerations is about the | | | | 4. By mixing it with water, Portland cement literally |
| cement that would be used. In fact, the commonest | | | | turns into a plastic stone and thereby it can be used |
| type of cement to be used across the world is | | | | for purposes and in places where stone was to be |
| Portland cement. The primary reason for this global | | | | used and that too by keeping within the financial |
| general use is indeed its composition. Composed of | | | | limits. |
| concrete, mortar, stucco and grout, it is produced as | | | | 5. It may be molded to obtain a hard and fire-proof |
| a fine powder by grinding the Portland cement clinker | | | | material which may further be employed in designing |
| with calcium sulfate. The origins of the cement can | | | | buildings, shop floors, reservoirs and other |
| be traced back to in the initial years of the 19th | | | | foundations. |
| century. Portland cement has today found its way as | | | | 6. Any kind of iron or timber structure is exposed to |
| being the basic ingredient for ready-mix concrete. | | | | corrosion either by air or water. But with a concrete |
| This adoption has been undertaken only after having | | | | casing, made by utilizing Portland cement, they can |
| successfully tested and recognized the fact that it | | | | be effectively protected. |
| creates a strong bond as compared to the early | | | | 7. Any structure that is meant to support huge |
| techniques of concrete production. With the | | | | amounts of weight will bring Portland cement into |
| increasing amount of importance that is continuously | | | | use. These structures range from ground floors of |
| being attached to them, Portland cement, especially | | | | multi-storey buildings to bridge floors and from bridge |
| the one which forms a part of the ready-mix | | | | spans to dams. |
| concrete, may be put to the following uses- | | | | 8. Due to its ability to prevent corrosion, it is also put |
| Uses- | | | | to use in ships, tanks and bunkers. |
| | | | 9. A blaze or a devastating fire may leave a structure |
| 1. The most important use of Portland cement is the | | | | completely burnt but with the use of Portland |
| production of concrete. It plays a pivotal role in | | | | cement, this can be prevented. |
| setting and hardening the concrete. | | | | 10. It is also brought into usage in mortars, plasters, |
| 2. On being mixed with other aggregates, Portland | | | | screeds and grouts as a material which can be |
| cement begins to serve a dual purpose. One, it | | | | squeezed into gaps to consolidate the structures. |
| provides for the concrete products to be workable | | | | The use of Portland cements has galvanized |
| when wet and Two, it provides them to be durable | | | | ready-mix concrete production. Owing to the |
| when dry. | | | | prominence which is being attached to them, these |
| 3. It is extensively used by the retaining walls and the | | | | cements are said to have already made and left their |
| precast concrete block walls as a major component | | | | mark. |