CEMENT
CLASSIFICATION OF CEMENT ACCORDING TO IS CODE
The cements produced by inter grinding of cement clinker prepared in rotary cement kiln along with
3-5 % gypsum only are called as Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC). Depending upon the strength
requirement OPC is further classified as OPC-33 grade, OPC-43 grade and OPC-53 grade. The range of
applications, the Physical / Chemical requirements as per Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and strength of
OPC are discussed in the following sections.
53 Grade OPC is a higher strength cement to meet the needs of the consumer for higher strength concrete.
As per BIS requirements the minimum 28 days compressive strength of 53 Grade OPC should not be less
than 53 MPa. For certain specialized works, such as pre-stressed concrete and certain items of pre-cast
concrete requiring consistently high strength concrete, the use of 53 grade OPC is found very useful. 53
grade OPC produces higher-grade concrete at very economical cement content. In concrete mix design, for
concrete M-20 and above grades a saving of 8 to 10 % of cement may be achieved with the use of 53 grade
OPC.
53 Grade OPC can be used for the following applications.
RCC works(Preferably where grade of concrete is M-25 and
above)
Pre-cast concrete items such as paving blocks, tiles building
blocks etc.
Pre-stressed concrete components
Runways, concrete Roads, Bridges etc.
Runways, concrete Roads, Bridges etc.
Physical Characteristics of 53 Grade OPC (BIS Requirement)
Is Finene Soundness by Setting Compressive
Code SS Time Strength
(sq.m/k
g Min)
Lechatlier Auto Initial Final 1 3 7 28
(mm)max clave (mts) (mts) day day day day
Max min Max Min Min Min Min
(%) Mpa Mpa Mpa Mpa
(IS 225 10 0.8 30 600 NS 27 37 53
12269-
1987)
1
Chemical Characteristics of 53 Grade OPC (BIS Requirement)
Is Code Lime Alumina Insoluble MgO Sulphuric Loss
Saturation Ration (%) Anhydride ignition
Factor Min (%)
Max
(IS 0.8 Min 0.66 3 6 2.5% Max 4
12269- 1.02 Max when C3A is 5
1987) or less. 3%
Max when
C3A is greater
than
43 Grade OPC
The 43 grade OPC is the most popular general-purpose cement in the country today. The
production of 43 grade OPC is nearly 50% of the total production of cement in the country.
The 43 grade OPC can be used for following applications:
General Civil Engineering construction work
RCC works (preferably where grade of
concrete is up to M-30)
Pre-cast items such as blocks, tiles, pipes
etc
Asbestos products such as sheets and pipes
Non-structural works such as plastering,
flooring etc.
The compressive strength of cement when tested as per IS code shall be minimum 43 MPa. The physical
and chemical properties of this cement are given in the table:
Physical Characteristics of 43 Grades OPC (BIS Requirement)
Is Finene Soundness by Setting Compressive Strength
Code SS Time
(sq.m/k
g Min)
Lechatlier Auto Initial Final 1 day 3 7 28
(mm)max clave (mts) (mts) Min Mpa day day day
Max min Max Min Min Min
(%) Mpa Mpa Mpa
(IS 225 10 0.8 30 600 Not 23 33 43
8112- specified
1989)
2
Chemical Characteristics of 43 Grade OPC (BIS Requirement)
Is Lime Alumina Insoluble MgO Sulphuric Loss
Code Saturation Ration (%) Anhydride ignition
Factor Min (%) Max
(IS 0.66 Min 0.66 3 6 2.5% Max 5
8112 - 1.02 Max when C3A is 5
1989) or less. 3%
Max when C3A
is greater than
5
33 Grade OPC
This cement is used for general civil construction work under normal environmental conditions. The
compressive strength of cement after 28 days test as per IS specification is 33 MPa. Due to low
compressive strength, this cement is normally not used where high grade of concrete vizualized, M-20 and
above is required. The availability of higher grades of OPC in the market is affecting the use of 33 grade
OPC and now a days 43 grade OPC is normally used for general construction work instead of 33 grade
OPC. It is More useful for mass concreting and plain cement concreting. Normally made to order basis. It
can be used for plastering and single storied individual houses. The physical and chemical requirement as
per BIS are given in table below:
Physical Characteristics of 33 Grade OPC (BIS Requirement)
Is Finene Soundness by Setting Compressive Strength
Code SS Time
(sq.m/k
g Min)
Lechatlier Auto Initial Final 1 3 7 28
(mm) max clave (mts) (mts) day day day day
Max min Max Min Min Min Min
(%) Mpa Mpa Mpa Mpa
(IS 225 10 0.8 30 600 NS 16 22 33
269 -
1989)
Chemical Characteristics of 33 Grade OPC (BIS Requirement)
Is Code Lime Alumina Insoluble MgO Sulphuric Loss
Saturation Ration (%) Anhydride ignition
Factor Min (%)
Max
33 0.66 Min 0.66 4 6 2.5% Max 5
Grade 1.02 Max when C3A is 5
OPC or less. 3%
(IS 269- Max when
1989) C3A is greater
than 5
3
4
