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Cement is the backbone of modern construction and infrastructure. From roads and bridges to skyscrapers and houses, cement plays a critical role in every built environment around the world. This blog post will take a deep dive into all aspects of cement, from its historical evolution to present-day manufacturing techniques and future innovations. We will also explore how cement compares to related materials like mortar, grout, and concrete, along with the types of cements available, their varying compositions, and how they are named in different standards. By the end, you will have a well-rounded perspective on this indispensable material, along with insights into how sustainability and new technologies are shaping its future. The Historical Evolution of Cement Graphic suggestion: Roman cement Long before the invention of modern Portland cement in the 19th century, civilizations around the world were experimenting with various binding materials to construct buildings that have stood the test of time. Here’s a snapshot: Understanding Cement, Mortar, Grout, and Concrete Cement often gets confused with other building materials that contain cement as a key ingredient. Let’s clarify: Material Main Components Consistency Primary Function Cement Clinker (limestone + clay), Gypsum Powder (when dry) Binder in other mixes Mortar Cement + Sand + Water Thick,…
Concrete is one of the most versatile and widely used materials in construction around the world, offering strength, durability, and adaptability. However, the same four simple ingredients in a mix design can produce a 2,000 psi concrete just as well as a 6,000 psi concrete; it all depends on the proportions used in the mix.Designing the right concrete mix is essential to meet performance and durability requirements while keeping the costs at a minimum. To assist with this task, the American Concrete Institute (ACI) provides a design methodology in the Standard Practice for Selecting Proportions for Normal, Heavyweight, and Mass Concrete (ACI 211.1-91) document. The procedure can be executed in a total of eight (8) steps to establish a concrete mix design tailored to requirements, material parameters and conditions. While these steps aren’t complex, the complete method is long and can be repetitive, which may increase the chance of errors. It is also easy to miss some smaller details or corrections when starting to get comfortable with the process.This blog simplifies the methodology, making it more accessible. It also includes a downloadable Excel calculator at the bottom of the blog for quick and accurate mix designs, following the presented standard…
Giatec continues to uphold the value of bridging the gap between academic research and sustainable construction on the jobsite. Every year, we recognize civil engineering students, researchers and faculty across Canada and the U.S. with the Giatec Best Paper Award for Sustainability in Construction. Below is a summary of the winning 2024 paper submitted by Dr. Kai Gong and Dr. Claire E. White, “Development of Physics-based Compositional Parameters for Predicting the Reactivity of Amorphous Aluminosilicates in Alkaline Environments.” Learn more about how to join the list of winners and showcase your innovative research for the Best Paper Award 2025!Research BackgroundPortland cement (PC) and concrete have been instrumental in shaping modern civilization, driving unprecedented progress in infrastructure and construction. However, use of concrete has significant environmental consequences, with PC production alone contributing approximately 8% of global anthropogenic CO2 emissions. As global cement demand is projected to grow by 20–30% over the next three decades, reducing its carbon footprint is crucial to achieving carbon neutrality and combating climate change—a challenge fundamental to humanity’s resilience and survival. Blended cements and alkali-activated materials (AAMs) are two important classes of low-CO2 cement binders, which have been extensively explored in academia and industry. These alternatives utilize industrial…
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