scope:

This guide summarizes information about the composition, availability, and factors affecting the performance of commercial hydraulic cements. It also provides information regarding:

a) Cement selection, whether a cement is readily available, and if conditions require a general-purpose cement or a special cement

b) How the chemical and physical characteristics of a cement can affect certain properties of concrete

c) How interaction of cements with various additives, admixtures, and mixture designs can affect concrete

This guide only deals with hydraulic cements manufactured under North American standards (ASTM International, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials [AASHTO], and Canadian Standards Association [CSA]). For information on other hydraulic cement standards, the user is directed to local specifications and building codes.