How Cement Storage Works? Know the Proper Way of Storage of Cement

Storage of Cement bags is an important issue to be considered as it directly links to the economy of the construction projects. 

Based on the hygroscopic nature of cement, it has a high moisture absorbing capacity. The cement then reacts with moisture and proceeds with the hydration reaction. This reaction leads to unnecessary hardening and makes it useless for construction. Therefore, cement should be stored carefully.

Cement Storage as Per IS Code

The IS code dictates that Cement should be stored at such a place where it can be easily inspected. The place should be weather-tight to prevent dampness from creeping into the room.

Storage of Cement Bags on Site

While storing cement on site some precautions should be taken:

Precautions for Storage of Cement

Precautions for cement storage are discussed below:

1. Moisture

Cement will maintain its quality for specified shelf life if properly kept away from any form of moisture. If moisture absorption exceeds 5%, the cement becomes useless.

The uselessness of cement is because of the false set of cement. To know what is false set and
some solution on how to use it afterwards, Read False Set and How to Rectify False Set.

If cement is to be stored for construction projects for a longer period, then you should opt out for airtight containers.

2. Period of cement storage

The shelf life of cement bag is no more than 6 months even in proper storage conditions. Therefore, storage of cement bags for longer periods should be avoided.

Even if the cement is stored for 3 months, testing should be done to ensure that the properties of cement are still conferring to the respective IS standard.

3. Piles

Usually cement bags are arranged in piles. But they should not be stacked in a pile of more than 10 bags. The piles should be arranged in such a way that the distance to the outer walls of the building is at least 30 cm.

The passage of about 90 cm width should be provided between cement bag piles. For a longer period of storage, the top and bottom of bags piles should be covered with tarpaulins or waterproof coverings.

The cement should be stored in a way that provides easier access for inspection purpose.

4. Quality of Cement

Reactivity of cement is proportional to fineness of cement. The constituents of cement may react with moisture in the atmosphere and form lumps and render cement useless for construction.

Thus, more precautions should be taken to ensure that the composition of cement stays the same.

5. Removal of Cement

The cement bags should be removed in order of its storage period so old bags may get used first. To make sure that the cement purchased first is also used first, you can even keep the date of purchase receipts with you!

To remove a cement bag at particular height from a particular pile, you should first remove cement bags from the front piles sequentially. Remove the cement bags from the front piles in such a manner that steps are formed until the desired cement bag is reached.

6. Storage sheds for cement storage

For storage purpose of cement, the storage shed or building should be considered by the below standards:

• The walls, roofs and floors of such storage sheds should not allow leakage of water
• If there are windows in the shed they should be kept tightly shut to prevent humidity
• The flood of storage shed should be above ground level
• Drainage should be provided to drain water in the vicinity of the storage

Effect of Storage on Strength of Cement

The cement may retain its quality almost indefinitely if kept airtight and entirely away from moisture. It slowly absorbs moisture from the atmosphere, which causes its deterioration. 

1 or 2 % of moisture absorption has no appreciable effect on cement but any further increase retards the hardening of cement and reduces its strength.

The more finely ground a cement is, the more reactive it is to the moisture. Increased reactivity leads to faster deterioration of cement.

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