Which cement is best for the foundation?

Today, cement powder is a universal building material, the appearance of which has become revolutionary. It is used as the basis of most construction processes, in particular, for the construction of foundations of various structures. This binder is assigned the role of a binding element in the composition of concrete monoliths.

During the production of the filling mixture, the powder is mixed with other components:

• river, lake or sifted washed sand;
• fine gravel or crushed stone;
• clean water.

To obtain a high-quality composition, it is important to observe the proportions of the combination of these components, but the priority question remains what kind and brand cement optimal for the construction of high-strength and durable foundations.

Portland cement and its vintage accessories

The described powder is also called Portland cement (PC). In Latin, “cementrum” means “broken stone”. The latter concept is very close to the technological procedure during which Portland cement powder is produced. Limestone is taken as the raw material. It is fired in furnaces to produce clinker, which is then crushed to a powdery state.

However, the resulting powder is only one of the component elements included in the final brand mix, from which concrete or, for example, masonry mortar is prepared.

1. To obtain certain grades of Portland cement powder, special ingredients are added to it.
2. The resulting materials are used to make probes (prisms 40 × 40×160 mm with a ratio of Portland cement powder and sand 1: 3).
3. A compressive force is applied to them-until the shape is completely destroyed.
4. In the strength level, the value of the same limiting force is recorded, on the basis of which the brand identity of the powder is determined. For example, for a load of 200 kg per cm2, the marking M200 is determined.

The level of modern technologies allows the preparation of powders with Branded accessories № 50, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600. The first two varieties are classified as weakly strong. Powders from M200 to M400 are basic when the foundation is filled for typical objects. Portland cement compounds M500 / 600-specialized: mainly used in the construction of super-resistant objects.

Brand identity of concrete warehouses

In turn, Portland cement powder is a structural element of the concrete composition. Liquid mixing of Portland cement powder, sand and crushed stone fractions allows you to get a fast-hardening building material, which is usually used when you need to get a strong surface (base). Unique operational properties are added to the physical and technical characteristics. At the same time, the concrete composition has the same brand affiliation.

1. M100 is used when you need a support tape layer for a light wooden house or technical construction.
2. M200 is able to withstand low-rise buildings (relevant for private construction).
3. M250 / 300 is a typical concrete mix for buildings with 3-5 floors.
4. M400-most often used for creating ultra-reliable foundations for very high structures (multi-storey buildings).

Important! To get a ready-made concrete composition of a specific brand accessory, you should use Portland cement powder of 1.5-2 times higher quality during the manufacturing process.

Component varieties and operational advantages

Portland cement powder with special additives can have different operational capabilities. Actually, such building materials delivered in bags or in bulk are marked, based on the additives used in the manufacture, as well as their quantity. There are such functionally noticeable subspecies of Portland cement powder:

• H-normalized (most solid);
• SS-sulphate-resistant type for the construction of hydraulic engineering objects that are in active confrontation with the water element;
• B-fast-hard, relevant for emergency operations;
• PL-plasticized (with increased resistance to extreme temperatures);
• SHPTS (slagoportlandtsement) – the most effective, received the best opportunities from the slag waste of production added to structure.

Regardless of what type of portland cement powder is used in the activity, there are a number of advantages that all of these formulations have in common:

• Frost resistance. This parameter estimates the number of operational freeze / thaw cycles during which the concrete base exists and functions without losing the existing level of its parameters.
• Corrosion resistance. It is an extremely important aspect for the concrete structure to tolerate aggressive environmental conditions.
• Water resistance. This parameter characterizes the protection of portland cement compounds from moisture. The best varieties of properly prepared formulations can be used not only on wet soils, but also directly under water.
• Air resistance. It depends on how well the concrete composition will feel in the open air.
• Sulfate resistance. Without a sufficient level of this parameter, it is impossible to create reliable and long-lasting hydraulic structures.
• Fragmentation. The Portland cement powder fraction is a purely physical parameter. Quality indicators of building materials increase in proportion to the decrease in the size of its particles.

Based on the proposed conditions, you can make a competent reasoned choice of Portland cement powder for performing any activity related to the creation of buildings and structures.