Strength of cement

• Introduction:
• It is very important that concrete mix under
consideration must possess compressive
strength equal to its minimum characteristic
strength. To calculate this compression test is
performed on cement concrete cubes.
• Cement strength grades and water-cement
ratio are the main factors impacting concrete
strength.
• It is proved that the smaller the water-cement
ratio is, the higher the strength of cement will
be,
 Three Main Grades of Cement.

• 33 Grade Ordinary Portland Cement

• 33 grade cement refers to cement that has a compressive strength of 33 N/mm2 at the end of 28
days of curing. As per the Cement Association of Canada, all cement used in concrete construction
in Canada is manufactured to meet the requirements of the CSA A3000 compendium of cement
standards. This type of cement is used for general construction work under normal environmental
condition.
• 43 Grade Ordinary Portland Cement
• 43 grade cement refers to cement that has a comprehensive strength of 43 N/mm2 at the end of 28
days of curing. It gets this grade only after it meets the requirements of the Cement Association of
Canada. This type of cement is used for plain concrete work and plastering works.
• 53 Grade Ordinary Portland Cement
• 53 grade cement refers to cement that has a compressive strength of 53 N/mm2 at the end of 28
days of curing. As per the Cement Association of Canada, all cement used in concrete construction
in Canada is manufactured to meet the requirements of the CSA A3000 compendium of cement
standards. Unlike other grades of cement, 53 grade ordinary portland cement is used for structural
purposes as in reinforced cement concrete.
• Every grade of cement is suitable for different set of tasks as each of them have varying levels of
strength. Using the wrong strength levels for a particular job can affect your overall structural
design. In the world of construction, most professionals opt for 53 grade cement.
CEMENT COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH (Mpa)
TYPE 1 Day 3 Days 7 Days 28 Days
OPC(33) — 16 22 33
OPC(43) — 23 33 43
OPC(53) — 27 27 53
SRC — 10 16 33
PPC — 16 22 33
RHPC 16 27 — —
PSC 16 22 33
High alumina 30 35 — —
Super — 15 22 30
sulphated
Low heat — 10 16 35
Masonry — — 2.5 5.0
IRS-T-40 — — 37.5 —
• Ordinary Concrete—M10 M15 M20
• Standard Concrete—M25 M30 M35 M40 M45 M50 M55
• High Strength Concrete—M60 M65 M70 M75 M80
• High performance concrete—M 90, M95 M100, M105,
M110, M115, M120.
• Grade | Mix ratio
• M5 → 1:5:10 (Cement : sand: aggregate)
• M7.5 →1:4:8
• M10 → 1:3:6
• M15 → 1:2:4
• M20 → 1:1.5:3
• M25 → 1:1:2
• Conclusion:
• Compressive strength of concrete depends
upon various factors like water cement ratio,
proportion used, grading of aggregates etc.
• To conclude that concrete mix is giving
nominal strength or not; compression test on
concrete is performed.
• The test is good to ensure quality control in
case of concrete construction.