There are various grades of cement. Cement grade is nothing more than the strength of the cement (How much strength a person has to lift a weight, is the same related to how much Strength cement can yield or bear.)

We all know that cement is the fundamental component of concrete, which means that cement strength is directly related to concrete strength. As a result, one should be well-versed in cement grade and how it influences building.

The grade is the unit of measurement for cement strength. Cement comes in several grades. As the grade of cement grows, so does its strength. The fineness of cement increases as the grade increases. The grade of cement is chosen depending upon the specific requirement and type of work.

Different grades of cement: Irrespective of the brand, there are three different grades of Ordinary Portland Cement available on the market.

Different Ordinary Portland Cement Grades– OPC 33/43/53

Ordinary Portland Cement Based on IS Code

Types  of Cement Grades

Cement is classified into three grades, which are as follows, multiple grades of cement are regulated by IS 1489: 1991.

OPC 33 Grade Cement

OPC 43 Grade Cement

OPC 53 Grade cement

OPC cement is one of the most essential and commonly used forms of cement in the construction industry. OPC cement is an abbreviation for Ordinary Portland cement.

Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) is the most widely used cement in the world as a primary component of concrete, mortar, stucco, and non-specialty grout.

Ordinary Portland Cement is divided into three grades: 33-Grade Cement, 43-Grade Cement, and 53-Grade Cement. This cement grade is determined by the compressive strength of the cement, which is measured after 28 days.

Cement Compressive Strength = (Apply Load / Unit Area)

The unit of compressive strength is N/mm2

Which Cement Grade Is Used for Slab?

Ordinary Portland cement of Grade 53 is suitable for all types of RCC structures and is mostly utilised in slab construction. Because initial and ultimate strength is the most significant structural criteria in slab construction.

The 53 Grade Cement is considered desirable for the construction of structures requiring substantial strength, such as high-rise buildings and bridges.

Cement OPC (Ordinary Portland Cement) 33 Grade

The cement that has a compressive strength of 33 N/ mm2 after 28 days is known as 33-Grade Cement.

33 Grade Cement Fineness (specific area) = 300 m2/kg

Compressive strength after three days = 16 N/mm2.

Compressive strength after 7 days of time = 22 N/mm2.

Compressive strength after 28 days = 33 N/mm2.

33-Grade Cement Properties

This cement has high workability and is mostly used for masonry and plastering.

Even after 28 days, the initial strength of 33 Grade Cement continues to increase.

The heat of hydration of 33 Grade Cement is lower than that of 43 Grade Cement and 53 Grade Cement.

33-Grade Cement Applications

• It is commonly used in plastering.

• It is also utilised in the construction of walls.

• In the tiling process.

• It is typically used for work that requires a low compressive strength of less than M20.

IS Code – IS 269: 1989 is the reference code for 33-grade cement.

Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) 43 Grade Cement

The cement that has a compressive strength of 43 N/mm2 after 28 days is known as 43-Grade Cement. 43 Grade Cement Fineness (specific area) = 225 m2/kg

Compressive strength after three days = 23 N/mm2.

Compressive strength after 7 days of time = 33 N/mm2.

Compressive strength after 28 days = 43 N/mm2.

a)     43-Grade Cement Properties

• Because of its low chloride concentration, it does not corrode steel reinforcement.

• It improves the workability of concrete.

• Even after 28 days, the initial strength of 43 Grade Cement continues to increase.

• 43 Grade Cement has a medium heat of hydration.

• The structures will have a superior surface quality as a result of this.

• It has a moderate sulphate resistance.

b)     43 Grade Cement Uses

• It is utilised in the manufacturing of Ready Mix Concrete (RMC).

• It is employed in PCC and RCC work.

• It is utilised in the building of RCC bridges.

• For the building of silos and chimneys.

• It is used to finish a variety of structures such as buildings, bridges, highways, and water retention structures.

• It is utilised in the manufacture of precast and prestressed concrete.

• It is also utilised in the construction of ships.

• It is utilised in construction where a concrete grade of up to M30 is required.

IS Code – IS 8112:1989 is the reference code for 43-Grade Cement.

53 Grade Cement OPC (Ordinary Portland Cement)

The cement that has a compressive strength of 53 N/ mm2 after 28 days is known as 53-Grade Cement. 53 Grade Cement Fineness (specific area) = 225 m2/kg

Compressive strength after three days = 27 N/mm2.

Compressive strength after 7 days of time = 37 N/mm2.

Compressive strength after 28 days time period = 53 N/mm2.

a) 53 Grade Cement Properties

b) 53 Grade Cement Uses

• It is used in the manufacture of railway concrete sleepers.

• It is commonly utilised in pre-stressed girders.

• Early strength is achieved by the 53-Grade Cement.

• It is utilised in industrial buildings, highways, and airport runways.

• It is used to construct RCC bridges and precast concrete.

• M25 and higher concretes are commonly utilised.

• It is utilised to build all RCC components such as beams, columns, footings, and slabs.

IS Code – IS 12269:1987 is the reference code for 53-Grade Cement.

The units of measurement are Mega-Pascal or N/mm. Cement grades are classified into three types: 33-grade, 43-grade, and 53-grade.

These cement grades are classed based on the compressive strength of the cement after 28 days of testing.

According to the most recent revision of the IS Code, there are now five classes of OPC. These are the 33rd, 43rd, 53rd, 43 S grades, and 53 S grades. PPC, like any other type of cement, has no grades. Cement grades 43 S and 53 S are used in railway engineering to make sleepers.

Keeping in mind the most recent amendment to the IS code by BIS, as well as the other details discussed in the article, one may proceed to finalise his cement selection.