Engineering Materials·MCQ explained

For constructing road pavements, the type of cement generally used is:

Try it first: pick an option, then read the explanation.

Correct answer: B. rapid hardening cement

Cement for Road Pavements

Rapid hardening cement is preferred for road and airfield pavements because it develops high strength within 1–3 days, allowing the pavement to be opened to traffic much sooner. For road repairs in particular, quick lane reopening is critical for minimising traffic disruption.

OPC takes 28 days to reach design strength; low-heat cement is even slower. Blast furnace slag cement has good durability but is slow. Only rapid hardening cement meets the fast-opening requirement.

Rapid hardening cement — option B.

Key takeaway

Roads, repairs, airfields → rapid hardening cement. Speed to traffic is the key requirement.