Can You Use Portland Cement By Itself? (Find Out Now!)
Portland cement is commonly misunderstood as a specific brand of cement. However, it is actually a generic term that refers to the most common type of cement used around the world. Typically made from limestone, shells, clay, and silica sand, Portland cement is a fine powder that is the most basic ingredient used for making mortar, grout, stucco, and concrete.
So, if you’re wondering whether or not Portland cement can be used by itself, the answer is no. Portland cement is simply a binding powder that is never used alone. Instead, it is combined with other components for a variety of applications.
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Can Portland Cement Be Used by Itself?
Simply put, Portland cement is a binding component found in both concrete and mortar. It is, therefore, never used by itself. To make cement, limestone, silica sand, clay, and shells are crushed and combined with other ingredients and heated to roughly 2,700 degrees Fahrenheit. After being heated, the material that is created is known as clinker.
The clinker is ground into a fine powder and packaged as Portland cement to be used for mixing a variety of cementitious building materials – such as concrete and mortar. Portland cement specifically is a type of “hydraulic” cement, meaning it sets and hardens when mixed with water.
What is Concrete Slurry?
A concrete, or cement, slurry is what results when Portland cement and water are combined. Its smooth, thick, paste-like consistency plays a major role in constructing a variety of concrete structures. The proper ratio for a basic cement slurry mix is 1 or 2 parts Portland cement to 1 part water.
It’s important that the right consistency is achieved, as a slurry that is too runny or too thick will not adhere sufficiently and can prevent concrete layers from bonding together. For best results, being with equal parts cement and water and then slowly add more cement until you reach the desired consistency.
Although it’s very simple to make, concrete slurry has a very short shelf life. As such, it should only be made in small batches and used right away to reduce waste.
Safety Considerations
In both wet and dry forms, cement slurry can present safety risks. When working with it, it’s important that you always practice the necessary safety precautions. Wear a dust mask, as inhaling Portland cement dust can irritate your mucus membranes. You should also wear gloves and goggles to reduce contact between the cement and your skin and eyes. For this reason, consider wearing long pants and a long-sleeved shirt as well.
Tools and Mixing Instructions
Having the proper tools is the key to ensure that any project achieves the greatest results, including mixing cement slurry. Make sure you have a mortar box, or some other plastic tub that is large enough for holding the required amount of product. You’ll also need wooden stir sticks to mix the slurry.
When you’re ready to start mixing, slowly and carefully add the Portland cement into the mortar box to minimize dust. Then, add the recommended amount of water. Stir the mixture slowly until a thick consistency is crated. If the slurry is too thick, add more water, and if it’s too thin, add more cement.
Once hydrated, the slurry will start to harden almost immediately. Make sure that you use it within an hour and dispose of any remaining cement slurry appropriately.
Disposal Recommendations
Concrete slurry is high in alkalinity, posing risks to plants and animals if it’s not discarded correctly. Not to mention, you could incur a hefty fine, depending on the regulations in your area. The best way to dispose of leftover concrete slurry is to cover it with clean water and allow it to sit overnight.
In the morning, pour out the water that has collected on the surface. Scoop out the lingering cement sludge, place it in a plastic garbage bag, and throw it in the trash. To avoid leaks, double-bag!
How to Make Concrete with Portland Cement
The terms “cement” and “concrete” are often used interchangeably, but cement is actually one of the many ingredients used to make concrete. Concrete, in its most basic form, is a combination of Portland cement, water, sand, and gravel or crushed stones.
Although concrete can be made by purchasing a ready-mix cement product and simply adding water, it can also be made from scratch. To make concrete with Portland cement, instead of using a pre-mixed bag from your local home improvement store, follow these steps:
- Gather the necessary materials. You’re going to need Portland type I or II cement, clean sand or builder’s sand, and if desired, gravel or stones as a filler.
- Get a good, sturdy wheelbarrow, or create a mixing box for combining the ingredients.
- Mix the Portland cement and sand at a ratio of 1:2 or 1:3. A ratio of 1:2 will yield concrete with approximately 3500 psi compression stress, while 2:3 will be slightly less than 3000 psi.
- Add the gravel or crushed stone to the dry mixture at a ratio that is about 5 parts gravel to 1 part mixture. The gravel won’t impact the tensile strength unless you add too much, but it does increase the overall strength of the concrete.
- Start slowly adding water to the mixture. Continue adding until the mixture is plastic enough to place in your form. Plastic character of concrete is measured in “slump,” which is determined by filling a metal “slump” cone with the concrete, lifting the cone, and measuring how much the concrete sagged. Proper slump of good-quality structural concrete is about 3 or 4 inches.
- Continue mixing the concrete until it is thoroughly mixed. Then, keep mixing for an additional two to three minutes to start the hydration process. This will ultimately lead to hardening of the concrete.
- Now, the concrete is mixed and ready to be placed in your form!
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The ideal ratio for making concrete using Portland cement is 1 part cement, 2 parts sand, and 3 parts aggregate (gravel or crushed stones). The water is added to achieve the desired consistency. To produce 1 cubic yard of concrete, you’ll need approximately five bags of Portland cement, 8 cubic feet of sand, and 20 cubic feet of gravel.
Jessica considers herself a home improvement and design enthusiast. She grew up surrounded by constant home improvement projects and owes most of what she knows to helping her dad renovate her childhood home. Being a Los Angeles resident, Jessica spends a lot of her time looking for her next DIY project and sharing her love for home design.
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