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Question

Which one of the following is NOT present in cement?

This question was previously asked in
NDA 2 2025 GAT Question Paper (14-Sep-2025)
The correct answer is

\(4CaO.SiO_2\)

Understanding Cement Composition

Cement, particularly Portland cement, is a key ingredient in concrete. Its effectiveness comes from specific chemical compounds that react with water (a process called hydration) to bind aggregates together. Understanding these components is crucial in construction and materials science.

Key Compounds in Portland Cement

The main chemical compounds found in Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) are typically described by the Bogue's equation. These are:

Compound Name Chemical Formula Abbreviation
Tricalcium Silicate \(3CaO.SiO_2\) C3S (Alite)
Dicalcium Silicate \(2CaO.SiO_2\) C2S (Belite)
Tricalcium Aluminate \(3CaO.Al_2O_3\) C3A
Tetracalcium Aluminoferrite \(4CaO.Al_2O_3.Fe_2O_3\) C4AF (Brownmillerite)

These compounds dictate the setting time, strength development, and other properties of the cement.

Analysis of Cement Components

The question asks to identify which compound among the given options is NOT typically present in cement. Let's analyze each option:

  • \(2CaO.SiO_2\): This formula represents Dicalcium Silicate (C2S), known as Belite. It is a significant component of Portland cement, contributing to the later strength development.
  • \(3CaO.SiO_2\): This formula represents Tricalcium Silicate (C3S), also known as Alite. It is the most abundant compound in Portland cement and is responsible for the early strength gain.
  • \(3CaO.Al_2O_3\): This formula represents Tricalcium Aluminate (C3A). It's another primary component, influencing the setting characteristics and early strength, although it can contribute significantly to heat generation during hydration.
  • \(4CaO.SiO_2\): This chemical formula represents Tetracalcium Silicate. Standard cement chemistry, as defined by Bogue compounds, does not list pure \(4CaO.SiO_2\) as a major constituent. While cement contains calcium, silicon, aluminum, and iron compounds, this specific silicate formulation is generally considered absent or present in negligible amounts in typical Portland cement. The related compound \(4CaO.Al_2O_3.Fe_2O_3\) is present, but it's an aluminoferrite, not just a silicate.

Conclusion on Cement Ingredients

Based on the established chemical composition of Portland cement (Bogue compounds), \(4CaO.SiO_2\) is the compound listed that is not a standard or significant ingredient.

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Similar Questions

  1. Addition of gypsum to cement:


Important Questions from Cement

  1. The bulk density of cement is

  2. The bulk density of commonly available ordinary cement is:

  3. The rate of heat of hydration of the four Bogue’s compounds in descending order is -

  4. The reason for adding gypsum in cement is:

  5. Addition of pozzolana to ordinary portland cement increase

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