---
title: "Three types of cement"
subject: "Civil Engineering Materials"
chapter: 5
key: "semester_3/civil_engineering_materials:cement-types-three"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_3/civil_engineering_materials/cement-types-three
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Three types of cement

Civil Engineering Materials · Chapter 5: Cement

- Asked in: 2076 Asoj, 2 marks
- Video: [Types of Cement their uses and purposes | Classes of Cement Ordinary Portland Cement](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiezgN9uG5M) — Ian Construction
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_3/civil_engineering_materials/cement-types-three
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_3/civil_engineering_materials/chapter-5

## Question

Explain any three types of cement.

## Short answer

OPC: clinker+gypsum, grades 33/43/53, general concrete. PPC: 15–35% pozzolana, lower heat, better chemical resistance, for mass concrete and marine works. Rapid Hardening: higher C3S and finer grinding, 3-day strength equals OPC 7-day, for precast and repairs.

## Answer

#### 1. Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC)
Made by grinding clinker with 3-5% gypsum; available in 33, 43 and 53 grades (28-day strength in MPa). Used for general RCC, plain concrete, plaster, flooring and masonry.

#### 2. Portland Pozzolana Cement (PPC, IS 1489)
Made by grinding clinker with 15-35% pozzolana (fly ash, calcined clay) or by blending. It has lower heat of hydration, better resistance to sulphates and chemicals, a denser structure and lower cost, but gains strength more slowly. Used in mass concrete, marine works, sewers, dams and plaster.

#### 3. Rapid Hardening Cement
Finer grinding and a higher C3S content than OPC; it gains in 3 days the strength OPC reaches in 7 days. Used for early formwork removal, road repairs and cold-weather work.

Others: low heat cement, sulphate resisting cement, white cement, high alumina cement, blast furnace slag cement.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. Which feature belongs to PPC?
   A. Lower heat of hydration and better sulphate resistance but slower strength gain
   B. Higher heat and faster strength
   C. No pozzolana
   D. Lower sulphate resistance
   Answer: A. PPC is made with 15-35% pozzolana. (Key point: PPC)

2. How does rapid hardening cement gain strength?
   A. More C2S
   B. Finer grinding and more C3S; 3-day strength equals OPC 7-day
   C. Coarser grinding
   D. More gypsum
   Answer: B. Fine grinding and higher C3S. (Key point: Rapid hardening)

3. OPC grades available:
   A. 10, 20, 30
   B. 23, 33, 63
   C. 33, 43 and 53
   D. 43, 53, 63
   Answer: C. OPC is made with clinker and 3-5% gypsum in 33, 43, 53 grades. (Key point: OPC uses)

## Related in other subjects

- [Three phase system and structure of hcp](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fconcrete_technology_and_masonry_structure%3Athree-phase-hcp-structure) — Concrete Technology and Masonry Structure, chapter 2, asked 6×