1. Fineness

Rate of chemical reaction depends largely upon the fineness of grinding of cement . Finer the grinding , greater is the rate of reaction which hastens the early development of strength / Coarser cement particles also settle down in concrete which cause bleading . Too much fineness is also undersirable because it generates greater heat and concrete is likely to develop cracks . Fineness is emasured either in terms of percentage of weight retained after sieving or surface area in cm2 per gram of cement .