Cement

Cement is a hydraulic binder, a finely ground inorganic material which, when mixed with
water forms a paste which sets and hardens by means of hydration reactions and
processes which, after hardening, retains its strength and stability even under water.

Cement Types (Portland cement)

Portland cement is classified into different types as per ASTM (American Society for
Testing and Materials) standards and requirements. ASTM C150, which is the Standard
Specification for Portland cement, recognizes about ten types of this cement:

1. Type I and Type IA

This type of cement is used for general purposes where the special
properties specified for any other type are not required. Type IA, however,
is an air-entraining type cement.
Known for its fairly high C3S (tricalcium silicate) content, this type of
cement is used for good early strength development.
Type I/IA cement is used for general construction for most buildings,
bridges, pavements, precast units, etc.
2. Type II and Type IIA
This type of cement is also used for general use, mere especially when
moderately sulphate resistance or moderate heat of hydration is
required. Similar to Type IA, Type IIA is an air-entraining type cement.
Known for its low C3A (tricalcium aluminate) content, no less than 8%.
Type II/IIA cement is used for structures exposed to soil or water
containing sulphate ions.
3. Type II(MH) and Type II(MH)A
This type of cement is similar to that to Type II/IIA cement but is added
with a moderate heat of hydration characteristic based on a requirement.
Similar to Type IA and IIA, Type II(MH)A is an air-entraining type
cement.
4. Type III and Type IIIA
This type of cement is used when high early strength is required. Similar
to Type IA, IIA and II(MH)A, Type IIIA is an air-entraining type cement.
Even though it appears to be chemically and physically similar to Type I
cement, Type III/IIIA is known for its slightly more C3S content and are
ground finer. The resulting cement produces higher early strength.
Because of its high early strength, Type III/IIIA cement is applicable for
rapid construction projects as well as cold weather concreting.

5. Type IV
This type of cement is used when a low heat of hydration is required,
meaning slow reacting.
Known for its low content of C3S (about less than 50%) and C3A.
Type IV cement is used in massive structures such as dams where the rate
and amount of heat generated from hydration must be minimized. It
develops strength slower than other cement types.
6. Type V
This type of cement has a high sulphate resistance.
Known for its very low C3A content (about less than 5%).
Type V cement is used for structures, particularly those near oceans and
soils, which are exposed to high levels of sulphate ions.

Cement Types (Blended cement)

Portland cement is commonly mixed with a type or different types of blended cement to
give it additional qualities favourable and desired by buyers and builders. Blended
hydraulic cements are produced by intimately and uniformly blending two or more types
of fine materials. ASTM C595, which is the Standard Specification for Blended
Hydraulic Cements, recognizes two types of this cement:
1. Type IS
Portland blast-furnace slag cement
2. Type IP
Portland-pozzolan cement

Cement in the Philippines

The Philippines recognizes three cement makers/manufacturers as the leading cement
companies nationwide. These include:

Holcim (195-218 pesos/bag)

Lafarge (205-220 pesos/bag)
Cemex (195-220 pesos/bag)

Each company produces cement per ASTM standard with variations in quality,
properties, and affordability suitable for its clients and buyers.

Holcim products

Holcim Philippines manufactures and sells four different kinds of cement depending on
buyer specifications and demands. These include:

1. Holcim Excel
Primary application of Holcim Excel cement is for construction of
concrete floor slabs, columns, beams, walls and pavements. Other
applications include concrete hollow block production.
Benefits include
o Higher early strength = reduces construction time
o Higher yield = less cost per concrete hollow block: 5-10 more
CHB
o Improved workability = eliminates unnecessary repair and rework
o Improved chloride and sulphate resistance = durable and longerlasting structures

2. Holcim WallRight
Holcim WallRight is used for hollow block laying and filling, plastering,
and finishing. It has superior bond strength, increased water retention, and
smoother texture compared to ordinary cement applied as a finish
Holcim WallRight is specially developed to have superior bond strength
and high workability. Other benefits include
o Superior bond strength makes plastering application easier and
faster
o Extendable mixture ~ 1:4 (cement: sand)
o Allows easy placement and better bonding for hollow block laying
o Improves quality of surface finish compared to ordinary cement

3. Holcim 4X
Supplied in bulk, Holcim 4X is mainly used for high-rise buildings and
vertical structures that require high-strength cement. It is ideal for
construction that requires optimized concrete mix designs and fast
construction cycles
Holcim 4X properties include
o Higher compressive strength
o Longer setting time
o Better Admix compatibility
o Lower cement temperature

4. Holcim Premium

Holcim Premium Bulk is an ASTM C 150 high performance Portland

cement specially formulated for general construction. It has high
workability and is compatible with commonly available admixtures. A 5%
coefficient of variation for compressive strength is maintained to ensure
product consistency.

Price of one bag (40 kg) of Holcim Portland cement:

PHP 195.00 to PHP 218.00

Lafarge products
Lafarge Philippines manufactures and sells five different kinds of cement (excluding bulk
orders) depending on buyer specifications and demands. These include:

1. Lafarge Republic Portland Plus

Applicable for general construction: houses, buildings, roads, bridges.
Ideal for general concrete applications: foundations, columns, walls, slabs,
beams
Benefits include
o Higher compressive strength, minimized shrinkage and cracking
o Improved durability (e.g. greater steel bar protection from
corrosion)
o Reduced segregation, minimized rock holes (ampaw)
o Ease of application and compaction
o Ease of pumping
2. Lafarge RapidSet
Applicable for concrete hollow block manufacturing, precast
manufacturing, pre-stressing and post-tensioning of slabs and beams, and
cast-in-place concrete structures requiring high early day strength
Benefits include
o Greater productivity
o Reduced cement content to achieve the required concrete strength
o Allows the creation of modified concrete properties as per
requirement of the concrete mix design

3. Lafarge WallMaster
Applicable for plastering (palitada), and laying and filling of concrete
hollow blocks, bricks and other types of masonry units (asintada)

Benefits include
o Ultra-smooth finish
o Ease of use, faster works
o Minimizes cracking due to shrinkage

4. Lafarge Mindanao Pozzolan Premium

Applicable for home building and renovation, masonry works (palitada,
asintada), and structures immersed in water
Benefits include
o Less prone to (thermal) cracking
o Greater resistance against chemical attacks, superior durability
o Reduces wastage and water addition, better finishing
o Ease of application and compaction

5. Lafarge Fortune
Applicable for general construction: houses, buildings, roads, bridges.
Ideal for general concrete applications: foundations, columns, walls, slabs,
beams.
Benefits include
o Higher compressive strength, exceeding ASTM standards for OPC
o Greater resistance against chemical attacks
o Reduced segregation, minimized rock holes (ampaw)
o Ease of application and compaction
o Ease of pumping

Price of one bag (40 kg) of Lafarge Portland cement:

PHP 205.00 to PHP 220.00

Cemex products
Cemex Philippines manufactures and sells seven different kinds of cement (excluding
bulk orders) depending on buyer specifications and demands. These include:

1. Rizal Portland Super

Rizal Portland Super is used for the following applications:
o All-purpose cement for general construction applications,
especially where structures are exposed to moderate sulphate

environments or to chloride attack; Roads, pavements, bridges,

foundations, columns and slabs; Pre-cast and pre-fabricated
concrete products such as pipes, hollow blocks, pavers, floor and
roof tiles; Tanks, reservoirs, culverts, water pipes, and masonry
units

Benefits include
o Higher ultimate strength
o Reduced permeability
o Reduced expansion and heat of hydration and improved long-term
durability
o Moderate sulphate-resistant type of cement

2. Rizal Masonry Cement

Rizal Masonry Cement is used for the following applications:
o Plastering (exterior and interior); CHB laying / core filling; Tile
adhesive / grouts and fabrication of decorative stone and stucco;
Other semi-structural masonry works (driveways, sidewalks,
fencing); Ground floor slab concreting
Benefits include
o Savings both in labour costs and usage
o Higher workability compared to traditional cement products
o Less plaster cracking
o Environment-friendly

3. APO Portland Premium

APO Portland Premium is used for the following applications:
o All-purpose cement for general construction applications,
especially where structures are exposed to moderate sulphate
environments or to chloride attack; Roads, pavements, bridges,
foundations, columns and slabs; Precast and pre-fabricated
concrete products such as pipes, hollow blocks, pavers, floor and
roof tiles; Tanks, reservoirs, culverts, water pipes, and masonry
units
Benefits include
o Higher ultimate strength
o Reduced permeability
o Reduced expansion and heat of hydration and improved long-term
durability
o Moderate sulphate-resistant type of cement

4. APO Masonry Cement

APO Masonry Cement is used for the following applications:
o Plastering (exterior and interior); CHB laying / core filling; Tile
adhesive / grouts and fabrication of decorative stone and stucco;
Other semi-structural masonry works (driveways, sidewalks,
fencing); Ground floor slab concreting
Benefits include
o Savings both in labour costs and usage
o Higher workability compared to traditional cement products
o Less plaster cracking
o Environment-friendly

5. Island Portland
A general-purpose Portland cement suitable for all uses where special
properties are not required. It can be used in:
o High strength concrete designs with a minimal cement factor
requirement (ready-mixed concrete);Projects with tight completion
schedules; Precast and pre-stressed concrete; Infrastructure
roads, dams, bridges, railway structures; Mega-structures, high-rise
buildings, and condominiums; Tanks, reservoirs, culverts, water
pipes, and masonry units (mortars, renders, and screeds)
Benefits include
o Early strength achieved in less time
o Best in overall quality and consistency
o Proven compatibility with mineral and chemical admixtures

6. Palitada King Masonry Cement

Palitada King is used for the following applications:
o Laying of concrete hollow blocks and all other types of masonry
units (e.g. bricks, stones, etc.); In-filling of concrete hollow blocks;
Plastering of external and internal walls; Decorative finishes; Used
as an ingredient for tile grout, tile adhesive, and stucco
Benefits include
o Superior adhesion
o Enhanced workability and longer board life
o Increased water retention and less cracking
o Smoother and lighter colour

7. APO Portland
A general-purpose Portland cement suitable for all uses where special
properties are not required. It can be used in:
o High strength concrete designs at minimal cement factor
requirement (ready-mixed concrete); Projects with tight
completion schedules; Precast and pre-stressed concrete;
Infrastructure roads, dams, bridges, railway structures; Megastructures, high-rise buildings, and condominiums; Tanks,
reservoirs, culverts, water pipes, and masonry units (mortars,
renders, and screeds)
Benefits:
o Early strength achieved in less time
o Best in overall quality and consistency
o Proven compatibility with mineral and chemical admixtures

Price of one bag (40 kg) of Cemex Portland cement:

PHP 195.00 to PHP 220.00

Prices of Other cement products sold in the Philippines

Eagle Cement Advance PHP 205.00 to PHP 220.00

Suggested Retail Price for common cement PHP 205.00 to PHP 220.00

Reasons for Price Alterations and Factors Affecting Price

The price of cement is congruous to that of typical products that also change in price.
Economic principles such as understanding the basic law of supply and demand will
affect the price of the product.
In addition, the pricing of cement varies on the following major factors: region, time and
climate. In some areas in the Philippines, the prices of a cement bag is lower than that in
urban regions. Also, time and climate play important roles in pricing of goods. For
cement, that is, when it is cold and rainy, cement prices tend to elevate as this would
cause cements of required typesparticularly that for construction with sulphate
interruptionto elevate in price. This is due to the instability caused by buyers upon
demand and supply.
At this time, cement would still be negotiable for many buyers, builders, contractors and
more, and it is with this struggle in purchasing that would compromise the integrity of the
project or structure in question.

References:

Construction Materials and TestingCement hand-out

Engr Bernard Villaverde
ASTM C150, Standard Specification for Portland cement
http://www.astm.org/Standards/C150.htm
ASTM C595, Standard Specification for Portland blended cement
http://www.astm.org/Standards/C595.htm
HOLCIM cement products
http://www.holcim.com.ph/productadvisor/products/cement.html
LAFARGE cement products
http://www.lafarge.com.ph/wps/portal/ph/cement-products
CEMEX cement products
http://www.cemexphilippines.com/ProductsServices/CementTypes.aspx
Cement makers asked to explain price hike
http://www.philstar.com/business/2013/04/09/928414/cement-makersasked-explain-price-hike
Price data of various cement products of different companies provided by the
Constech Management Group Inc. (family business)