Cement Types and Properties Quiz

A type of plaster that sets very quickly (5-10 minutes) when mixed with water, making it suitable for decorative work.

Gypsum plaster that's burnt at a higher temperature than cement plaster and treated with chemicals like alum and Glauber's salt. It sets slowly but becomes very hard.

A gypsum-based material that's widely used for interior walls, known for its quick strength gain (half of its one-month strength in a day).

A building material made from thin layers of cardboard or wood cemented together with gypsum plaster. Often used for lining walls and ceilings.

Gypsum partition blocks used for non-load-bearing walls, meaning they don't support the weight of the structure. These blocks can be solid or hollow.

A type of gypsum plaster that has a high fire resistance rating. It's commonly used for fire-resistant walls and ceilings.

A gypsum-based material that expands when mixed with water, making it suitable for filling large gaps and cracks.

A mineral that is used as a primary ingredient in gypsum plaster. It's mined and processed before being used in construction.

A finely powdered mixture of raw materials used in cement manufacturing, primarily containing calcium carbonate (limestone), silica (sand), alumina (clay), and iron oxide.

A long rotating steel cylinder heated to high temperatures (1450-1500°C) where raw meal undergoes chemical reactions and transforms into clinker.

The process where water molecules are removed from the raw meal during the initial stage of burning in the rotary kiln.

A chemical reaction where carbonates, particularly calcium carbonate, decompose into oxides and carbon dioxide gas.

The final product of the burning process in the rotary kiln, formed by the chemical reactions between the raw materials. It is a hard, clumpy material.

The process of grinding the clinker into a fine powder, often with the addition of gypsum, to produce the final cement product.

A method for cement production where raw materials are mixed with water to form a slurry before being burned in the rotary kiln.

A method for cement production where raw materials are dry-mixed and blended before being fed into the rotary kiln.

A type of cement which is produced by blending 20-30% pozzolanic material (like volcanic ash) with ordinary Portland cement. The pozzolanic material reacts with calcium hydroxide to improve cement properties.

These cements have excellent resistance to acids due to the presence of acid-resistant aggregates like quartz and additives like sodium fluosilicate.

Uses ground blast furnace slag (waste product from pig-iron production) along with cement clinkers. It's economical and durable, but needs longer curing time.

Cement with added mineral pigments to achieve a specific color. Pigment amount varies from 5 to 10%.

A type of concrete with high volume of fly ash, a byproduct of coal-fired power plants, replacing a portion of Portland cement. This type of concrete has better workability and durability.

A type of concrete that uses mineral admixtures like silica fume, a very fine powder, to improve strength, durability, and impermeability.

This type of cement is used where high strength is required, especially in cold weather conditions. It's made with a higher proportion of C3S (Tricalcium Silicate).

Uses additives like calcium chloride to accelerate the setting and hardening process of the cement. Often used in cold weather.

The rapid reaction between C3A (tricalcium aluminate) and water releases heat, leading to expansion and potential cracking.

The addition of gypsum (calcium sulfate) to cement controls the rate of reaction between C3A and water, preventing rapid heat release and expansion.

The overall change in volume, usually expansion, that occurs as a cement paste sets and hardens.

Cement that expands significantly after setting, usually due to delayed reactions of compounds like free lime, magnesia, or calcium sulfate.

Incomplete burning during the cement manufacturing process can lead to unsounded cement due to the presence of unreacted compounds.

Excess calcium oxide (CaO) in cement can react slowly with water, causing expansion and unsoundness.

Excess magnesium oxide (MgO) in cement can react slowly with water, causing expansion and unsoundness.

The amount of heat released when cement reacts with water.

A type of mortar that's made from mixing lime, sand, and water. It's known for its good workability but sets slowly compared to cement mortars.

A mortar type made with Portland cement, sand, and water. It offers high strength due to the rapid setting of cement.

Mortar that combines the advantages of both lime and cement. It's prepared with a specific ratio of cement, lime, sand, and water.

The ease with which a mortar mix can be transported, placed, and finished. It's influenced by factors like the type of mortar, sand type, and additives.

The ability of a mortar to resist compression, tension, shear, and bending forces. The type and amount of ingredients affect the mortar's strength.

A property that prevents water from passing through the mortar. It's crucial in areas exposed to moisture, and cement-based mortars are more watertight due to their hydraulic properties.

Circular sand grains lead to better workability compared to angular sand grains in mortar.

The use of admixtures can improve the workability of cement-sand mortar, especially in lean mixes that have less cement.

The amount of water added to mortar mix affects its workability (how easily it can be spread and shaped), setting time, and final strength.

The type of binder used in mortar, like cement or lime, determines its strength, setting time, and resistance to water.

The amount of cement in mortar directly impacts its strength. More cement = stronger mortar.

Fine sand fills the gaps between larger sand particles, creating a denser and more economical mortar.

Clean sand and water are essential for a strong bond between the mortar's components.

Mortar must be easy to work with and spread, but also strong enough to hold the masonry together.

Cement is the most expensive ingredient in mortar, so use the minimum amount required for the desired strength.

Accurate measurement of each ingredient is crucial for consistent mortar quality.