Cementitious Materials for Concrete (Part 1)-Cementitious Materials for Concrete (Part 1) (PDF)

Cementitious Materials for Concrete (Part 1) (PDF)

Pdf Summary

The American Concrete Institute's (ACI) Education Bulletin E3-25 explores cementitious materials used in concrete, developed by ACI Committee E701. This comprehensive document, published in March 2025, is intended as an educational tool for those in the concrete industry who do not engage directly in determining mixture proportions or testing concrete properties, such as students, builders, inspectors, and contractors.<br /><br />The bulletin outlines the development and types of hydraulic cement, particularly emphasizing portland cement’s historical significance and manufacturing process. Various types of portland cement are identified, each applicable based on specific construction needs such as high-early strength or sulfate resistance.<br /><br />A significant portion of the bulletin is dedicated to the role of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) like coal fly ash, natural pozzolans, slag cement, and silica fume. These materials are used to improve concrete sustainability by replacing portions of portland cement, resulting in reduced greenhouse gas emissions and improved concrete properties such as increased strength and durability, reduced permeability, and greater resistance to environmental impacts like sulfate attack and alkali-silica reactivity.<br /><br />The bulletin also addresses emerging alternatives, such as recycled post-consumer glass (ground-glass pozzolan), which can supplement traditional SCMs as sources diminish or regulations change. Moreover, it emphasizes the variability in cement properties due to manufacturing differences and how uniformity, color, and strength must be considered in practical applications.<br /><br />Finally, various tests ensure concrete quality and conformance to standards, focusing on cement's physical and chemical properties, including fineness, setting behavior, and heat generation during hydration. Thus, ACI E3-25 serves as a foundational resource promoting best practices in material selection and application to optimize concrete sustainability and performance.

Keywords

American Concrete Institute

Education Bulletin E3-25

cementitious materials

portland cement

supplementary cementitious materials

sustainability

concrete properties

hydraulic cement

recycled glass

concrete testing