Abstract:
The marsh cone test is a defined procedure to determine the quantitative fluidity of cement with mineral admixtures along with the saturation dosage and the efficiency of the superplasticizer (SP). In the present study, three mineral admixtures, micro-silica (MS), fly ash (FA), and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) were used as cement replacement. Poly-carboxylate ether-based superplasticizer was used as a chemical admixture. Blends of cement and mineral admixtures with water/binder (w/b) ratios ranging from 0.40 to 0.60 at every interval of 0.05 were examined against the different dosages for SP. All the binder mixes reached a saturation dosage for SP, after which there is no change in the fluidity of the mix. The obtained dosage is considered the maximum amount of SP added to the concrete with the respective binder type. The replacement percentage of cement with mineral admixture also affected the fluidity of the binder mix. A decrease in the fluidity of binder mix was observed on increasing the amount of mineral admixture in it. At a higher w/b ratio, a significantly less SP dosage is required to attain saturation point and vice-versa. Based on the experimental investigation, it is concluded that the efficiency of SP depends on its dosage, the w/b ratio, the type and amount of mineral admixture.
