Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) is one of the most popular building materials used all across the globe. There is a fascinating story behind the naming of this widely used cement product. The name ‘Portland’ was given by the British cement manufacturer, Joseph Aspdin in 1824, due to its strong resemblance to Portland Stone, a type of white grey limestone found in the isle of Portland, Dorset in England. Joseph Aspdin is also credited to have patented the first true artificial cement, which he named as the Portland cement.While the chief chemical constituents of ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) are Calcium, Silica, Alumina and Iron, cement manufacturers continuously research and make efforts to further strengthen and improve the quality and other features of this particular type of cement.

As a constructing material, concrete can be cast in almost any form, which is desired, and once it is hard it can be structural element.  Concrete can be employed in the construction of structural elements like panels, beams, for building superstructures like roads and damns. OPC is also used in fillings for plasters and screeds and in residues.  OPC is manufactured by burning siliceous materials like limestone at 1400 degree Celsius and thereafter grinding it with gypsum it is made up in the form of different grades, the most common in Nepal is a Grade – 53 and grade 43.