Page 34 - PH_Masonry_Final_Ver 1_July 2020

brick-masonry concrete, dry sand aggregates raised about 15cms above the ground level.

The stack must be kept fully covered with tarpaulin or polythene sheet and protected against at-
mospheric moisture. The covering sheets must overlap each other properly. Temporary storage
on open storage should not be adopted in wet weather.

Information available on a standard cement bag

The following information normally printed on a standard cement bag may be noted at the time of
receiving cement bags.

 Type of cement

 IS certification Mark

 Approximate net weight of cement (Generally 50kg)

 Week, month and year of manufacture

 Manufacturer‘s name and registered Trade Mark, if any

 Proper method for removal of cement bags

Effect of storage on strength of cement

The cement when stored for longer period of time loses its strength characteristics. The strength
of cement when used after one year of its production loses its strength by about 40-50% on appli-

cation as compared to that of freshly produced cement. The loss of strength characteristic of ce-
ment at different interval of times is as given below in the table.

Age of cement % Reduction in its strength

3Months 20-30

6Months 30-40

12 Months 40-50

Tips for proper storage of cement

 Do not store in a building where walls, roof and floor are not completely weather proof.

 Do not store in a new warehouse until the interior is thoroughly dried out.

 Do not make contact with a badly fitted windows and doors and see that they are kept closed.

 Do not stack against the wall. Always pile on the floor on wooden planks.

 Do not forget to pile bags together.

 Do not pile more than 15 bags high and arrange the bags in header and stretcher fashion.
Participant Handbook : Masonry 34