Using Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) for General Construction

What is the most common type of Portland cement used for general construction?

Final answer:

Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) is the type of Portland cement used for general construction, notable for its versatility and widespread use in various construction projects.

Explanation:

The type of Portland cement used for general construction without any of the distinctive qualities of the other types is known as Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC). This is the most common form of cement and is used widely for a variety of projects, including buildings, bridges, roads, and other types of structures because of its versatility, strength, and economic value. It is composed primarily of clinker that is ground to a fine powder and often mixed with a small percentage of gypsum to control the setting time when mixed with water.

OPC holds the distinction of being the most used cement in the world after water as the planet's most-consumed resource. Portland cement is the key binding ingredient in concrete, which is a composite material consisting of aggregates like sand and gravel, bound together by cement paste. Concrete's ability to take the shape of the molds into which it is poured has allowed for innovative design in construction, and its use became more reliable and predictable over the last century.

Structures made of concrete, especially those that involve lightweight aggregates like shale, clay, or slate, offer advantages such as reduced structural load, increased building rates, and better thermal protection.