COMPARATIVE QUALITY EVALUATION OF CEMENT BRANDS USED IN SOUTH WEST NIGERIA

Abstract

The quality of common cement brands in Southwest Nigeria was investigated. This is with a view to comparing their properties. Cement brands considered in this study were labeled A, B, C, D and E. Fineness, setting times, chemical composition, compressive and flexural strengths of each of the cement brands were determined in accordance with the relevant BSand ASTM standards. The results showed that all the cement brands contained major oxides in amounts within the acceptable range of valuesas compared to BS EN 196-2 except that the sulphite content of cement E fell outside the range.Strength comparison indicated that cement brand A had the highest flexural and compressive strengths of 7.98 and 35.35 N/mm2respectively, followed by C(6.58 and 33.8 N/mm2) and then B(6.37 and 31.60 N/mm2) while D had the lowest compressive strength at 28 days (31.09 N/mm2). The study has shown that both cements A and C could be adjudged to have met the standard having strength above minimum of 32.5 N/mm2, while others were marginally below the minimum strength. It was concluded that the choice of cement brand to be used should be based on the expected strength requirements.