The most common type of cement — the gray powder that is the key ingredient in concrete and mortar.
The standard hydraulic cement used as the primary binding agent in concrete, mortar, and grout, produced by burning limestone and clay at high temperatures and grinding the resulting clinker with gypsum. It was named for its resemblance to Portland stone from England. There are five ASTM types (I through V) with varying properties for different applications and environmental exposures.
The ASTM cement type specified affects both concrete pricing and schedule: Type III high-early-strength costs more but speeds form-stripping cycles, while Type V sulfate-resistant is required for aggressive soils. Estimators rely on the ready-mix supplier's mix-design pricing per cubic yard, and a spec calling for a special cement type or low water-cement ratio can raise the unit price meaningfully across a large concrete pour.
Reviewing the structural notes, an estimator confirms Type II cement for the foundations exposed to moderate-sulfate soil and requests an updated price per cubic yard from the ready-mix supplier reflecting that mix design.
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