Which cement is best for concrete slab construction? OPC or PPC?
What is the difference and advantages of these cements for slab?
Join TheConstructor to ask questions, answer questions, write articles, and connect with other people. When you join you get additional benefits.
Log in to TheConstructor to ask questions, answer people’s questions, write articles & connect with other people. When you join you get additional benefits.
Lost your password? Please enter your email address. You will receive a link and will create a new password via email.
Which cement is best for concrete slab construction? OPC or PPC?
What is the difference and advantages of these cements for slab?
aviratdhodare
Pozzolana Portland Cement (PPC) is better over OPC
PPCÂ is environment friendly, it contains fly ash.
It was economic to be frank.
It took some extra time for the member to set (First slab). So, for our second slab, we started casting it before 8 AM. We casted those slabs in summer.
Uniform surface without any cracks was observed.
We need to take more precaution when using it in a rainy season.
OPC is better when you need to cast a slab in a rainy season.
In detail,
OPC = Ordinary Portland Cement
PPC : Pozzolonic Portland cement
(FYI : PPC is environment friendly as it consists fly ash in some specific percentages by parts, which is a waste product of burnt coal, usually collected from thermal power plants)
OPC (m53) attains strength in a shorter time, while PPC (m43) takes longer.
OPC therefore dries more quickly, but produces more heat during chemical reaction during which it gains strength, as compared to PPC
Faster is the drying process, more is the risk of cracking of cement, and therefore it need more care and more amount of water for curing in a lesser time.
PPC on the other hand can attain strength equal to OPC, but takes a longer time.
For a building slab, PPC is more widely used since it requires less care.
The strength depends on design mix (the water cement and aggregate ratio) more than type of cement.
so essentially, If you need construction to take place faster and have means for good curing, you may use OPC.
But if you need better quality and strength in less effort, use PPC.
It still depends on the structure’s design requirements and a structural designer’s advice is to be followed.
Hope this helps, but do consult an engineer before using any type of cement.
Building construction is a responsible job and needs to be done safely and one must adhere to engineer’s specifications.
AdityaBhandakkar
Generally, Ordinary Portland cement (OPC) is used in the factories, power plants and in large construction slabs.
Portland pozzolana cement (PPC) is used for the construction of houses, schools, and residential building slabs. PPC is cheaper than ordinary Portland cement. Thus to reduce the building making cost, PPC should be adopted.
Both the PPC and OPC cement is used in the construction of slabs.
Portland pozzolana cement is Better resistant to sulfate attacks. Thus PPC is used in underwater construction where water has some amount of sulfur quantity. Its setting time is higher than OPC.
nikeetasharma
For the construction of concrete slab both the OPC & PPC cement can be used. OPC is the basic form of cement with 95% cement clinkers and 5% gypsum and commonly used in industrial and large construction. OPC cement gives high compressive strength at early stages and at 28 days. OPC cement also has increased workability and higher strength at later stages. Hence, it has early strength and also has cost saving advantages can generally used for the construction of concrete slab. OPC cement can also be recommended for the construction of columns, beams, etc.
On the other hand, PPC cement is made up of 75-77% cement clinker, 20% flyash and 3-5% gypsum. They are commonly used for small residential construction. PPC is recommended for brick masonry, plastering, tiling and waterproofing works. It has slower rate of heat of hydration. PPC is prone to less cracks and reduced shrinkage and also gives better workability and finishing. Thus, PPC is only used where the possibilities of sulphate attack is higher as it is said to be the good sulphate resistor.
Hence, both OPC & PPC can be a substitute to each other but only with a better quality control & by adopting best construction practices. So, for the construction of concrete slab both the OPC & PPC cement can be used.
Tanveer
both are used in construction of slab
mainly OPC is used for RCC, PCC work, reason for that is high compressive strength in less period of time with proper curing
PPC can be used for plaster, masonry work or waterproofing as strength is not major criteria
PPC has an edge on OPC as PPC has slower rate of heat of hydration. Thereby PPC is prone to less cracks & reduced shrinkage), better workability and finishing (as fly ash based cement are spherical in shape and finer in size).
PPC is cheaper than OPC
deayan
Todays Sinario is little different in case of big construction where Batching plant is used they Bought OPC and Mix Flyash/GGBS by there own to prepare concrete. and where no batching plant is used PPC/PSC should be Better then OPC. as due to low heat of hydration and Slow strength gain of initial 7 days give a more compact and LESS crack prone Durable structure. and definitely other process of construction considered as slandered.(MIXING, CURING, Etc)
Gopal Mishra
Both OPC and PPC cements are good for construction of concrete slab. OPC is the most commonly used cement in industrial and large construction, PPC is most commonly used for small residential constructions.
PPC is used where possibilities of sulphate attack is higher as it has good sulphate resistance compared to OPC. Also pozzolana Portland cement is cheaper than ordinary Portland cement.
OPC cement hardens faster than PPC, has higher heat of hydration and thus it requires more care in curing.