Cement is one of the most widely used construction materials, and among the types of cement PPC cement also called Portland Pozzolana Cement is more popular due to its durability, sustainability, and strength. In both civil engineering projects such as the construction of bridges and roads and the construction of houses, PPC cement is widely used because of its benefits.
The knowledge of its uses of product and the method of production aids in the decision-making process when choosing which building material to use.
What is PPC Cement?
PPC cement is a type of cement containing some materials like fly ash, volcanic ash, and silica fumes, which are termed pozzolanic materials. They also improve its ability to sustain various forces in nature and to remain strong in the face of any force. PPC has better workability and strength than OPC, which is a combination of clinker and gypsum only.
Hence, depending on the composition and accessibility of cement, PPC cement may be cheaper than the other forms of cement and appropriate for such enormous construction projects.
Benefits of PPC Cement
The following are the reasons that make PPC cement preferred for use in various tasks: Some of the benefits include the following:
•Durability – PPC cementhas higher durability when in contact with moisture and aggression when it contains pozzolanic material as compared to other environments.
•Lower heat of hydration – PPC does not release a lot of heat like the other categories of cement during the hardening process; therefore, large structures cannot crack.
•Economical – The use of pozzolanic materials eradicates the expensive clinker, and the prices of cement are also volatile.
•Environmentally friendly – PPC cement does not emit carbon monoxide into the environment as it is made from industrial products.
•Workability – Depending on the size of the particles, PPC cement has better workability as compared to OPC in the case of plastering and masonry work.
Applications of PPC Cement
This is because PPC cement can be used in all constructions since it is flexible in nature. It is commonly used in:
•Residential buildings – This is due to the fact that PPC cement is strong and durable as well as has a high market acceptance in home and apartment construction.
•Bridges and dams – Since sulfates and moisture are very much present in water-contained structures, PPC cement is found to be quite immune to them.
•Road construction – There is a direct relationship between PPC cement and the construction of roads since it contributes to the increase in their durability; pavements and highways use PPC cement.
•Large structures – PPC cement prevents the formation of cracks, hence it can be used in large structures such as foundations, retaining walls, and any structure that has to bear a load.
•Walls and rendering – PPC cement has good plastering and masonry work, hence suitable for walls and rendering.
Manufacturing Process of PPC Cement
PPC cement is made through the combination of raw cement materials with pozzolanic materials and then passes through the process of milling, and then it is treated with heat. The key stages include:
1. Selection of cement raw material – Limestone, clay, and other materials, which fly ash or other pozzolanic materials, must also be chosen depending on the quality and composition.
2. Clinker production – This entails heating limestone and clay at very high temperatures in a kiln so as to produce clinker, which is a major component of concrete cement.
3. Clinker and pozzolanic material blending – The clinker is blended with fly ash or any material containing silica for the improvement of strength.
4. Cement grinding and bagging – The mixture is taken through a process of fine grinding to produce PPC cement for use in cement and concreting, then packed in bags.
Choosing the Right Cement
For the construction of any structure, depending on the requirement, durability, and cost factor, the right cement type must be chosen. However, for construction works that require a short setting time, PPC cement is not suitable. In this case, OPC should be used because it meets all the general requirements for construction works. This paper will therefore endeavor to find out about the current cement prices, the raw materials used in cement production, and some uses of cement to enable making a good decision.
As for today, PPC cementstill continues to be among the most reliable building materials that can be used for the construction of any building because of its high durability. It is widely applied in houses, business buildings, and other structures since it provides strength, durability, and sustainability.
