Cement absorbs moisture from nature and gets hardened. So suitable precautions should be taken in storing cement.
An absorption of 5 per cent moisture means the cement becoming useless and so the cement is to be stored in a moisture-free atmosphere. It is advisable not to store cement in jute bags for a period of more than 3 months. The cement bags should be stored in piles of one above the other, at a minimum distance of 300 mm from the exterior walls. Between the piles, a passage of 900 mm width should be kept. The top and bottom of the piles should be covered and waterproofed for long storage.
Storage for longer periods makes the cement weaker, even under favourable conditions.
STORAGE OF CEMENT