There are several types of cement, each with its own specific characteristics and applications. Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) is the most widely used cement for general construction purposes. It is suitable for various applications, including residential buildings, commercial structures, bridges, pavements, and most common concrete works. Portland Pozzolana Cement (PPC) PPC is known for its enhanced workability and durability. It is commonly used in hydraulic structures, marine environments, sewage works, and mass concrete constructions. It is also suitable for plastering, masonry, and finishing works.

Different construction projects have varying strength and durability requirements. Some structures need higher strength and durability to withstand heavy loads, while others may have specific environmental conditions that require resistance to chemicals, sulfates, or other aggressive elements. Different types of cement are formulated to meet these specific strength and durability requirements. Workability refers to the ease of handling and placing the concrete mix. It is an important consideration during construction. Different types of cement can provide different workability characteristics, allowing contractors to choose the one that suits their construction methods and timeframes. Similarly, setting time requirements can vary depending on the project. Rapid hardening cement, for example, can shorten the setting time and expedite construction schedules.

Different types of cement will be used in various forms such as concrete, building facades, wall and floor coverings, construction of columns and foundations and also to increase the safety and strength of the structure. Today, different types of construction cements with different physical, Chemical and functional characteristics are available in the consumer markets. Different types of building cement in combination with water and the surrounding air will be fully integrated and will create a structure impermeable to water, heat and moisture.

Sulphate resistant cement is resistant to sulfate attacks from soil or water. It is used in construction projects where the concrete will be exposed to sulfate-rich environments, such as underground structures, basements, and marine constructions. Blended cements are produced by blending OPC with supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) such as fly ash, slag, or silica fume. Different types of blended cements, such as Portland slag cement (PSC) and Portland fly ash cement (PFAC), offer improved workability, durability, and sustainability. They are used in various applications similar to OPC, depending on the specific blend.

• Portland cement type 1
  is the same as ordinary cement which is available in white or gray. The white one is used in making concrete counterparts because in spite of its high price it has precise color consistency.
• Portland cement type 2
  is also known as modified cement. Modified cement can be used in mass and hot weather concreting. In fact, this type is the most widely used type of cement, because it has many applications in building foundation, walling (brick, clay, block, etc.), tiling and many others. This type of cement is also used in the construction of cement blocks, curb and various types of utility pole.
• Portland cement type 3
  is referred to under other headings such as regulated-set cement or hardening cement. It is more useful when the exploitation work has to be done earlier.
  This cement is cured quickly in cold weather conditions and the only thing that should be considered while using it is the use of antifreeze.
• Portland cement type 4
  is known as slow setting cement. This cement is used in high temperature over 40 degrees, in lower speed concreting and in layers.
• Portland cement type 5
  is also known as anti-sulfate cement. Therefore, Portland cement type 5 is used when the environment of the concrete structure is exposed to severe sulfation.

Grout cement is composed of water, cement, Sand and other additives. Grouting is used to fill empty spaces and large cracks as well as to prevent cement from being flaky. Grouts are in the form of powder that after mixing with water, they are used as a fluid mortar. Buffer grout is the most widely used type of grout. White Portland cement is made like ordinary portland cement, except that its raw materials do not contain iron oxide, so Clay should not be used in making it, but in this case, the cost will increase, so the same raw materials in addition to potassium chloride or calcium chloride are used, which is combined with iron oxide in a cement kiln to give iron chloride, which is a gas that evaporates and then the cement color turns white. Iron oxide should not consist of more than 0.02% of white cement total weight. 

White cement is primarily used for architectural purposes and decorative finishes. It is commonly used in precast panels, terrazzo flooring, decorative works, and for creating colored concrete. Rapid hardening cement is designed to achieve early strength development. It is used in projects that require quick setting and early load-bearing capabilities, such as road repairs, precast elements, and cold weather concreting. Low heat cement generates less heat during hydration, reducing the risk of thermal cracking. It is suitable for massive concrete structures, such as dams, large foundations, and massive retaining walls, where heat dissipation is crucial.

Environmental factors, such as temperature, humidity, and exposure to aggressive substances, can influence the performance of concrete. Some types of cement are designed to perform better in specific conditions. For instance, low heat cement reduces the heat generated during hydration, making it suitable for massive concrete structures that are prone to thermal cracking. Sulphate resistant cement is suitable for environments where the concrete may come into contact with sulfate-rich soils or water, which can cause deterioration. With growing awareness of sustainability, there is an emphasis on reducing the environmental impact of construction materials. Blended cements, which incorporate supplementary cementitious materials such as fly ash or slag, offer improved sustainability by utilizing industrial by-products and reducing the carbon footprint associated with cement production.