Grades of cement - Everydaycivil

The grades of cement mean the compressive strength of the cement after 28 days.

It is the measure of the maximum amount of compressive load that can be applied to a cement sample before it fails or breaks.

The strength of cement is usually measured in megapascals (MPa) or pounds per square inch (psi).

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Grades of cement used in construction

In general, there are three common grades of cement used in construction:

33 Grade Cement – It has a compressive strength of 33 MPa or 4,800 psi.
43 Grade Cement – It has a compressive strength of 43 MPa or 6,200 psi.
53 Grade Cement – It has a compressive strength of 53 MPa or 7,700 psi.

Grades of cement as per Indian standard

In India, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) specifies the following grades of cement under IS codes:

33 Grade cement (IS 4032)
43 Grade cement (IS:8112-1989)
53 Grade cement (IS:12269-1987)

33 Grade Cement

It has a minimum compressive strength of 33 MPa (or 330 kg/cm2) after 28 days of setting. It is typically used for non-structural purposes such as plastering, flooring, and finishing works.

Uses of 33-Grade Cement

It is typically used for non-structural purposes such as plastering, flooring, and finishing works.
It is suitable for low-rise constructions and decorative applications.
It is used in precast concrete products such as tiles, pipes, and blocks.
It can be used for the construction of boundary walls, pathways, and small concrete structures.
It is suitable for use in regions with low to moderate exposure to sulfate attacks
It can be used in mortars and grouts for laying tiles and masonry works.

43 Grade Cement

It has a minimum compressive strength of 43 MPa (or 430 kg/cm2) after 28 days of setting. It is used for general construction purposes such as for making concrete beams, columns, and slabs.

Uses of 43 Grade Cement

It is commonly used for general construction purposes such as for making concrete beams, columns, and slabs.
It is suitable for use in reinforced cement concrete (RCC) structures.
It is used in the construction of residential buildings, commercial complexes, bridges, and roads.
It provides higher compressive strength than 33 Grade Cement, making it suitable for constructions that require higher strength.
It is also used in the construction of precast concrete products such as pipes, poles, and railway sleepers.
It is suitable for use in regions with moderate to high exposure to sulfate attacks.
It is used in mortars and grouts for laying tiles and masonry works.

Also Read: Types of cement, composition and uses

53 Grade Cement

It has a minimum compressive strength of 53 MPa (or 530 kg/cm2) after 28 days of setting.

Uses of 53 Grade Cement

It is used in the construction of high-rise buildings (multi-story buildings), bridges, and other structures that require high strength.
It is suitable for use in reinforced cement concrete (RCC) structures.
It is used in the construction of heavy-duty industrial structures such as dams and tunnels.
It provides higher compressive strength than 33 and 43 Grade Cement, making it suitable for constructions that require even higher strength.
It is suitable for use in regions with high exposure to sulfate attacks.
It is used in mortars and grouts for laying tiles and masonry works.
It is also used in precast concrete products such as precast slabs, pipes, and poles.
It provides better resistance to cracking and shrinkage compared to lower grades of cement.

33, 43, and 53 grades of cement quick comparison

Properties	OPC 33	OPC 43	OPC 53
Compressive Strength	33 MPa	43 MPa	53 MPa
Initial Setting Time	30 minutes	30 minutes	30 minutes
Final Setting Time	600 minutes (6 Hours)	600 minutes (6 Hours)	600 minutes (6 Hours)
Heat of Hydration	Low	Moderate	High
Blaine Fineness (Particles size)	2,800 to 3,000 cm2/gm	2,800 to 3,000 cm2/gm	2,800 to 3,000 cm2/gm
Uses	General construction and plastering work	Suitable for RCC and precast concrete products	High-strength construction such as bridges and high-rise buildings