A specific kind of cement that sets and hardens more quickly than ordinary cement is called quick-hardening cement, sometimes referred to as quick-drying cement. It is extremely valuable in a variety of construction projects where time is of the essence because of its unique property. The process of building a structure in a harsh environment, repairing a sidewalk, or building a bridge can all be completed much more quickly with quick-hardening cement.
Emergency repairs are one of the main uses for quick-hardening cement. For example, this kind of cement enables workers to finish repair work quickly, minimizing traffic disruption and lowering the risk of accidents, if a road or bridge needs to be fixed right away to prevent accidents. Compared to using regular cement, the repaired area can be used again much sooner because of its quick setting time.
Quick-hardening cement finds extensive application not only in emergency repairs but also in the manufacturing of precast concrete. Beams, slabs, and panels made of precast concrete are produced under controlled conditions and then delivered to the building site. This method of using quick-hardening cement guarantees that the components are prepared for installation and transportation in a shorter amount of time, increasing project efficiency and cutting costs.
Furthermore, cold weather construction projects are a perfect fit for quick-hardening cement. Construction schedules may be delayed by the lengthy setting and hardening times of regular cement in cold climates. However, this problem can be solved by quick-hardening cement, which enables building to continue even in colder climates.
All things considered, quick-hardening cement is a necessary material in the construction industry due to its efficiency and versatility. Its quick setting and hardening speed up the building process and allow construction to proceed in difficult environments, resulting in projects that are finished on schedule and within budget.
- Application area
- Production of fast-hardening concrete
- Types of fast-setting cement and marking
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Application area
In situations where steaming the structure inside a chamber is not feasible, quick-hardening cement is typically utilized in the manufacturing of reinforced concrete products. As an illustration, consider the production of foundation blocks.
The characteristics of the solution play a crucial role in the masonry work process during rapid construction; in this scenario, downtime can be avoided, and special equipment usage time, labor costs, and project implementation time can all be considerably reduced.
Quick-hardening mortar is also necessary when making paving stones and, less frequently, concrete curbs, floor slabs, and other constructions. The primary goal of quick-setting cement is to expedite the completion of tasks without sacrificing strength or resistance to outside factors.
Production of fast-hardening concrete
Finer grinding of ingredients is required to produce fast-hardening cement. Hydration is accelerated by finer granules because they have a larger area of interaction with the reagent. As a result, the specific surface area of regular cement is 2800–3000 cm2/g of substance, whereas that of fast-drying cement ranges from 3500–4000 cm2/g. Additionally, there are cements that harden exceptionally quickly, with an active area of 7000–9000 cm2/g.
The fast-hardening cement mixture shows a strength of 100 kg/cm2, allowing the formwork to be dismantled 3–4 hours after pouring; the next day, the concrete gains two-thirds of its strength. These conditions allow the concrete to harden naturally.
The cost of the material is impacted by the longer cement production time and increased equipment wear associated with fine grinding of BTC. In order to give cement the required properties, some manufacturers add mineral additives (calcium oxide silica, for example) to the mixture; however, this method does not give concrete the same hardening speed as concrete made with finely ground cement.
A flexible building material used in many different construction projects where efficiency and speed are essential is quick-hardening cement. Because of its quick setting and strengthening properties, it is frequently used in road construction, maintenance projects, and emergency infrastructure repairs. This kind of cement ensures the least amount of disturbance to traffic and daily operations, making it perfect for locations like highways, airports, and bridges that need rapid turnaround times. It also helps in colder climates where traditional cement would take too long to cure, enabling year-round construction.
Types of fast-setting cement and marking
Only two varieties of cement, particularly fast-hardening and super-fast-hardening, have high rates of setting and hardening. Their composition and properties vary in certain aspects.
- Extra-fast-hardening – there are almost no mineral additives, the clinker is ground to 4000 cm2/g, includes about 8% celite and 68% alite. The density of concrete after 24 hours is 30 MPa, after three days – 45 MPa.
- Super-fast-hardening cement – its composition is strictly standardized, includes halogen-containing substances that lead to an increase in aluminates. The standard fineness of grinding is approximately 8000-9000 cm2/g. After 2-4 hours after pouring concrete products, the formwork can be dismantled (the concrete gains strength within 10 MPa), after 24 hours the concrete gains up to 70% of standard strength.
Next to the brand is the letter B, which stands for quick-drying cement. The percentage representation of the mineral and other additive content is shown next to the letter D.
- PC – Portland cement (can also be SHPC – slag Portland cement)
- 400 – brand indicator, which says that the sample demonstrated resistance to loads of up to 400 kg/cm2 during testing
- D30 – the composition contains mineral additives in the amount of 30% of the total weight (if D0 – there are no fillers)
- B – quick-drying
Additional indicators include: N (normal-hardening cement), SS (sulfate resistance), and VRC (water resistance).
It’s also important to keep in mind that, although new international designations were introduced in 2004, the marking data stayed the same. For instance, BTC Moscow and the surrounding area continue to sell under the previous marking scheme. However, if the packaging reads CEM (CEM) I (II) 32.5 B (N), this indicates that: I) no additives are present,II) additives are present, Strength class is 32.5; quick-hardening concrete is in B; normal-hardening concrete is in H.
| Application | Description |
| Repair Work | Quick-hardening cement is ideal for fast repairs on roads, bridges, and buildings, minimizing downtime and allowing rapid reopening. |
| Emergency Fixes | In emergencies, such as burst pipes or damaged infrastructure, quick-drying cement provides a swift solution to restore functionality. |
| Industrial Settings | Used in factories and warehouses where interruptions are costly, quick-hardening cement ensures swift repairs and minimal production loss. |
| Decorative Projects | For small projects like garden ornaments or statues, quick-drying cement allows artists to work efficiently and see results quickly. |
| Underwater Constructions | In underwater repairs or constructions, quick-hardening cement is beneficial as it sets rapidly even in wet conditions. |
A flexible material, quick-hardening cement has been used in many different types of construction projects. It is the best option in scenarios where time is of the essence due to its quick setting. This kind of cement helps maintain construction schedules for everything from urgent repairs to large-scale infrastructure initiatives.
One of the primary uses of quick-hardening cement is in road repairs and maintenance. When a road needs to be fixed quickly to minimize traffic disruption, this cement ensures that the repair is completed and ready for use in a short period. This reduces inconvenience for motorists and helps maintain smooth traffic flow.
Quick-hardening cement is frequently used in the manufacturing of precast concrete in addition to road construction. Faster manufacturing and assembly are made possible by the quick setting time of precast elements like blocks, beams, and panels. This expedites and improves the efficiency of the construction process as a whole.
Underwater building and repair is a significant additional use. Materials that set quickly in damp conditions are frequently needed for structures like bridges, dams, and piers. This need is satisfied by quick-hardening cement, which offers the sturdiness and strength necessary for such demanding conditions.
All things considered, quick-setting cement is an essential component of contemporary building. It is essential for many projects because of its capacity to boost productivity and save time. This cement keeps proving its value in the industry, whether it’s for underwater structures, precast elements, or urgent repairs.
