Portland cement
Portland cement (PC (CEM I)) is used to make almost all concrete. It is also the principal cement used in most masonry mortars and renders. The most commonly used type of Portland cement is Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), but there are other varieties available, such as white Portland cement.
Cement is a substance used for binding and hardening other materials. Water and cement set and harden through a chemical reaction known as 'hydration'. The process of hardening is described as 'curing', and it requires particular conditions of temperature and humidity.
Mixed with water, sand and rock, portland cement forms concrete.
The Leeds-based bricklayer Joseph Aspdin was the first person to make Portland cement in the early-19th century, by burning powdered limestone and clay in a kitchen stove.
The 'dry' method is the most common way of manufacturing Portland cement. The process begins with the quarrying of the principal raw materials – limestone, clay, chalk or marl, which may be combined with shale, blast furnace slag, silica sand, iron ore, and so on.
The quarried material is then crushed, first to reduce it to a maximum size of approximately 6 inches, and then to about 3 inches or less using secondary crushers or hammer mills. The crushed rock is then ground, mixed and fed into large rotary kilns, which heat it to approximately 2,700ºF (1,500 Celsius). Coolers are used to bring down the temperature of the clinker, before cement plants grind and mix it together with small amounts of gypsum and limestone. Once this is done, it can be packaged and sold for use in construction.
An alternative, though less common manufacturing technique is the wet method. It is similar to the dry method except that before being fed into the kiln the raw materials are ground with water.
As the production of Portland cement involves quarrying and the use of large amounts of energy to power the kilns, it is not considered to be a 'sustainable' material.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Aggregate.
- Alkali-activated binders for precast and ready-mixed concrete products: New supply chains, business models and environmental benefits.
- Alkali-silica reaction (ASR).
- Binding agent.
- Cement.
- Cement-free precast product.
- Cement in Saudi Arabia.
- Cement mortar.
- Concrete.
- Concrete masonry unit CMU.
- Ferro-cement.
- Fibre cement.
- High alumina cement.
- Lime mortar.
- Limestone calcined clay cement LC3.
- Mortar.
- Mortar analysis for specifiers.
- Mundic.
- Plaster.
- Portland stone.
- Screed.
- Shotcrete technology.
- Stucco.
- Thomas Edison's concrete cottages.
- Types of cement.
- Types of concrete.
Featured articles and news
The UK's Modern Industrial Strategy: A 10 year plan
Previous consultation criticism, current key elements and general support with some persisting reservations.
Building Safety Regulator reforms
New roles, new staff and a new fast track service pave the way for a single construction regulator.
Cooling centres and cool spaces
Managing extreme heat in cities by directing the public to places for heat stress relief and water sources.
Winter gardens: A brief history and warm variations
Extending the season with glass in different forms and terms.
Restoring Great Yarmouth's Winter Gardens
Transforming one of the least sustainable constructions imaginable.
Construction Skills Mission Board launch sector drive
Newly formed government and industry collaboration set strategy for recruiting an additional 100,000 construction workers a year.
New Architects Code comes into effect in September 2025
ARB Architects Code of Conduct and Practice available with ongoing consultation regarding guidance.
Welsh Skills Body (Medr) launches ambitious plan
The new skills body brings together funding and regulation of tertiary education and research for the devolved nation.
Paul Gandy FCIOB announced as next CIOB President
Former Tilbury Douglas CEO takes helm.
UK Infrastructure: A 10 Year Strategy. In brief with reactions
With the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA).
Ebenezer Howard: inventor of the garden city. Book review.
The Grenfell Tower fire, eight years on
A time to pause and reflect as Dubai tower block fire reported just before anniversary.
Airtightness Topic Guide BSRIA TG 27/2025
Explaining the basics of airtightness, what it is, why it's important, when it's required and how it's carried out.
Construction contract awards hit lowest point of 2025
Plummeting for second consecutive month, intensifying concerns for housing and infrastructure goals.
Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025
Examining the state of mental health in construction, shedding light on levels of stress, anxiety and depression.
The benefits of engaging with insulation manufacturers
When considering ground floor constructions.
Lighting Industry endorses Blueprint for Electrification
The Lighting Industry Association fully supports the ECA Blueprint as a timely, urgent call to action.