General properties of cement

All types of cement shrink during setting. In a normal concrete the amount of this shrinkage will depend both on the proportion of cement in the mix and the quantity of mixing water employed. Provided enough water is present to enable the chemical action of setting to take place then the smaller the amount of water the less shrinkage there will be. The type of aggregate used has an appreciable effect upon both the amount of water and the amount of aggregate that can be mixed with given quantity of cement. Strength and durability of concrete are linked properties in that they are both associated with the low water-cement ration. In addition to the proportion of cement and the water cement ratio of a cement product, the method of curing will also affect the amount of shrinkage. Normally, the slower the drying the less shrinkage there will be.