Indian cement types, the IS code that governs each, and which one to use for what. OPC for high-strength RCC, PPC for general work, PSC for marine/sulphate, SRC for aggressive ground, IRS-T-40 for railways, white cement for finishes. All values are minimum 28-day compressive strength on 70.6 mm cubes.
Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC)
Most common cement for structural concrete
| Type | IS Code | Strength | Application | Note |
|---|
| OPC 33 Grade | IS 269:2015 | 33 | Plaster, masonry, low-grade PCC, non-structural work | Largely phased out; manufacture rare |
| OPC 43 Grade | IS 269:2015 | 43 | General RCC work up to M30, residential construction | Most widely sold OPC grade in India |
| OPC 53 Grade | IS 269:2015 | 53 | High-strength RCC (M30+), prestressed, precast, runways, bridges | Higher early strength; needs care in curing |
Blended Cements
Better durability, lower heat of hydration
| Type | IS Code | Strength | Application | Note |
|---|
| PPC (Portland Pozzolana) | IS 1489 Part 1:2015 | 33 (≈43 at 90d) | General RCC, plaster, masonry, mass concrete | Fly-ash blended; gains strength slower but final strength higher; preferred for durability |
| PSC (Portland Slag) | IS 455:2015 | 33 (≈43 at 90d) | Marine, foundations in sulphate soil, mass concrete, water tanks | GGBS blended; excellent for chloride/sulphate resistance |
| PCC (Portland Composite) | IS 16415:2015 | 33–53 | General RCC, residential, commercial | Newer; OPC + fly ash + slag combination |
Special Cements
Use only when project specifies
| Type | IS Code | Strength | Application | Note |
|---|
| SRC (Sulphate Resistant) | IS 12330:1988 | 33 | Foundations in sulphate-bearing soils, sewage works, sea water | Limited C₃A (≤5%); slower setting |
| RHPC (Rapid Hardening) | IS 8041:1990 | 27.5 at 3d | Repair work, road patching, precast where forms reused fast | High early strength; do not confuse with quick-setting |
| IRS-T-40 (Railway) | IRS-T-40 | 37 at 7d | Railway sleepers, tunnel lining, viaducts | Approved by RDSO; specific to Indian Railways works |
| Hydrophobic Cement | IS 8043:1991 | 33 | Cement storage in coastal/humid areas, monsoon-stored stock | Coated to resist moisture during storage |
| Low Heat Cement | IS 12600:1989 | 35 at 28d | Mass concrete dams, raft foundations, large pours | Reduces thermal cracking |
| White Cement | IS 8042:2015 | 33–53 | Architectural finishes, terrazzo, decorative work, tile fixing | Low iron oxide; ~3× cost of OPC |
| Coloured Cement | IS 8042 (modified) | 33 | Decorative flooring, finishes, exposed walls | White cement + pigment |
Notes
• Always check the manufacturing date on the bag — cement loses ~5% strength per month of storage
• OPC 53 needs more water than OPC 43 for the same workability — adjust w/c carefully
• PPC develops strength slower; cure 14+ days for full benefit
• Never mix OPC and PPC in the same pour — different setting times can cause cracking
• For raft/mat foundations, prefer PPC or PSC to control heat of hydration
• Reject any bag with lumps that don't break under finger pressure (indicates moisture damage)
Generated by InfraLens · infralens.in