Cement storage terminology — what does “warehouse pack” mean? In cement warehousing and site storage practice, the phrase “warehouse pack” refers to which specific effect that occurs when bags are stacked for a period of time?

Introduction / Context:
Bulk storage and handling of bagged cement require careful practices to maintain quality. One common storage-related defect is called “warehouse pack.” Understanding what this term means helps site engineers and storekeepers prevent strength loss, poor workability, and lumps during batching.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Cement is stored in 50 kg bags stacked for days or weeks.
• Ambient humidity and stack height influence bag condition.
• Mechanical vibration and overburden pressure can densify material.

Concept / Approach:
“Warehouse pack” is not about warehouse capacity. It describes the gradual compaction and partial caking of cement in the lower bags caused by the sustained pressure of the upper layers plus minor vibrations. This densification can form hard lumps. Although these lumps can sometimes be broken before mixing, their presence signals deteriorating handling quality and risks of non-uniform batching and reduced performance if not addressed.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Manufacturers recommend limiting stack height (often about 10 bags high), using dry pallets, rotating (first-in-first-out), and gently breaking lumps through sieving to mitigate warehouse pack, confirming the phenomenon is a pressure-induced compaction, not a capacity term.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• (a) Refers to capacity, not the material condition.
• (b) Mentions pressure but not the resulting compaction/caking, so it is incomplete.
• (d) Describes space utilization, not a material defect.
• (e) Incorrect because the defined phenomenon exists and is (c).

Common Pitfalls:
Stacking bags directly on damp floors; exceeding recommended stack heights; storing for long periods without rotation; ignoring early signs of caking and attempting to use such cement without proper screening.

Final Answer:
Compaction and caking in the lower bags due to sustained pressure from upper layers