A study for the properties of the Portland cement from different sources available in the Iraqi market

Abstract

The quality of the cement used is the most important criteria for the implementation of the plain and reinforced concrete mixtures as well as the finishing works. So that the durability of concrete members and other cement applications is a function of the quality of the cement used.  In recent years, the Iraqi marketimported many types of cement from another countries, most of them have no typical tests for their chemical and physical properties or not confirm with the Iraqi specifications. In this study a comparisonwas made between random types of cements which are commonly used in Iraq throughout an experimental investigation. All tests werecarried in an accordance with the Iraqi specifications. For this purpose, the cement mix was prepared with cement content of 300 kg/m³ and W/C ratio of 0.45. Mix proportioning of 1:1.5:3 was used for all of tested mixes. The initial and find setting times and slump tests were performedin order to identify thepropertiesof fresh concrete. On the other hand, tests of compressive strengths were adoptedto evaluatethe properties of hardened concrete. The resultsobtained showed that the locally produced cement (type Al-Muthana) is the most favorable cement compared with the other tested samples (from another countries), because of its high compressive strength and less water requirements to reach the standard consistency.