Experimental Assessment of The Effect of Sugar as an Admixture on the Setting Time of Cement and Compressive Strength of Concrete

Abstract

This study was carried out with the fundamental aim of conducting experimental investigations into the influence of sugar as an admixture on both the setting time of cement and the compressive strength of concrete. The research involved the variation of the proportion of cement replaced by sugar at specific weight percentages, including 0.0%, 0.06%, 0.08%, 1%, 2%, and 3%. The aim of this experiment was to determine the effect of sugar as an admixture on the setting time of cement paste and the determination of the compressive strength of the obtained concrete. On a global scale, this research addresses the pressing issue of the substantial demand for cement and its profound environmental implications. The study explores innovative approaches to partially substitute cement in concrete mix, thereby fostering sustainability within the construction sector. The experiment of this study have yielded noteworthy outcomes. Particularly, at the admixture levels of 0.06% and 0.08% sugar by weight of cement, the compressive strength results not only met but exceeded the expectations, surpassing even the performance of the control concrete M15 sample, while retarding the setting time of cement paste. These findings present a compelling argument for the potential utilization of sugar as an admixture in cementitious materials, offering promising prospects for sustainable and environmentally responsible construction practices. This research adds to the broader discourse on sustainable construction and emphasizes the potential benefits of sugar admixture in enhancing concrete properties while cushioning the environmental effect attached with conventional cement usage.