Storage of Cement: Procedures, Protection, Duration

Storage of cement is predominant for constructional works. For economy and proper flow of work, it is a very common practice to buy a bulk amount of cement at a time. Hence, it is essential to ensure correct arrangements to store properly this amount of cements. Properly maintained storage facilities preserve the quality and fitness of cement to be used.

Cement may be an absorbent construction material. It reacts with wetness either in liquid or in vapor forms quickly. In the presence of wetness, cement undergoes a chemical process termed hydration. Cement becomes useless once the hydration method has taken place. Cement will stay in shape as long because it encounters wetness. Moisture may be a huge enemy of cement and thus cements luggage never keep for an extended amount.

Why it is Important to Properly Store the Cement?

Storing cement is very important because of its own quality, use and while we have bought the cement, consecutive step is storing it properly,

Moisture Effect on Cement Strength

If cement is not stored properly, it will absorb moisture from the region air or the other supply, inflicting the cement to react with it with chemicals. The binding property and strength of cement depend upon its capability for the chemical process. For this, the strength of cement is going to be affected.

Storage Duration Effect on Cement Quality

Prolonged storage of cement, wherever dampish air could gain access, decreases the strength of the cement and makes it seem to be coarser, the quantity of water needed to create up a neat cement paste of normal consistency will increase, and setting time is additionally accrued. In worst cases, lump formation even renders the cement unusable.

For hindrance of cement against deterioration and retentive its freshness, its storage ought to be specified no damp or moisture is allowed to succeed in cement either from the bottom, walls or from the setting. This becomes necessary throughout the wet season and in coastal regions once region air contains the next quantity of moisture in it.

Procedures of Cement Storage

Following are some basic points that one ought to be considering whereas storing cement:

• Cement baggage ought to be held on wherever no wet or moistness is allowed to succeed in cement either from the bottom, walls, or from the surroundings, etc.
• Do not enable hooks to facilitate the storage of cement. Exploitation hooks have been marked as a harmful follow for the handling of baggage because it exposes the cement to the open atmosphere, which can be damp and misty.
• Never store the cement bags with fertilizers or a different product, as any contamination will affect the standard and performance of the screen.
• Avoid storage of cement within the basement; ideally, the storage ought to be drained on the primary or higher floors.
• The little windows are provided at sill level and commonly unbroken tightly shut. Because of this, the wet or rainwater is prevented from stepping into the shed.

Protection Steps for Proper Storage of Cement

Cement should be taken care of rigorously and seriously. There are some steps to be considered as precautions for storing cement. Below steps are for storing cement:

1. Climatic moisture comfortable
2. Endurance of cement storage
3. Place, site or zone of storage
4. Organizing cement bags
5. Disengagement of cement bags

A brief description of these cement protection steps is given below. In all cement storage facilities, these precautions must be considered. 

Climatic Moisture Comfortable

Climatic or atmospheric moisture comfortable is most bizarre and important for storing cement. The presence of moisture in the climate would be damaged cement and it becomes useless material. Storing cement must be kept in an airtight workplace or worksite in the godown. The intake of moisture from climate also depends on the quality and quantity of cement. For this, extra care must be taken to keep the cement fresh and well. If there, any chance of exposure to airtightness, then cement tests must be taken for verification. If the result shows, more than 5% moisture then it is not used for construction work.

Endurance of Cement Storage

Place, Site, or Zone of Storage

Special and customized places like- godown or warehouse at worksites are good for cement storage. Open places are damaged for cement usage. The design of godowns or warehouses should be well-structured. The main purposes of making a special typed storage place for cement are ‘climate adjustment’ and ‘time state’. Godowns should be well drainage, waterproof room, and attached with small windows in the storerooms.

Organizing Cement Bags

For designing a storeroom for cement, like godowns, should be preferably made in wooden stuff. The wooden storeroom is perfect for atmospheric adjustment for collecting and storing cement for longer periods. Hence, organizing and gathering cement bags are depends on the condition and situation of the storeroom. The cement should be placed on a wooden platform above 150 mm to 200 mm from the floor ground. Each bundle of cement bags should be connected tightly so that air cannot pass through or enter it. of course, manufacture dates and places should be mentioned on the bags, so that workers can understand the condition of cement. 

Disengagement of Cement Bags

While the time of using the cement bags, there should be considered to use the very first bag and then second, then third and so on. Removing cement from bags should be done carefully according to climatic comfortable.

In the end, the usage of cement and storing cement bags at worksites like- godowns is incredibly necessary for constructional work. Therefore, cement bag collection, organizing, time, and placing the cement, planning godown; all at once are counted as parts and instrumentation to create the cement storeroom or the steps of storage of cement.