Volume 11 Issue 2 ( June )

The Marsh cone test is a direct and straightforward technique for examining the fluidity of cement paste using a superplasticiser. Polycarboxylate ether (PCE) based Auramix 400 superplasticiser, portland pozzolana cement, and ordinary Portland cement are used for finding the optimum dosage of superplasticiser with specific cement. The optimum dosage and the superplasticiser's efficiency are determined by the marsh cone test for two types of cement. The fresh and mechanical properties and non-destructive testing of the concrete mixes made by two cement types have been compared. The water-cement ratio is kept constant for both types of cement. Results show that the optimum dosage of superplasticiser depends upon the different types of cement. After the saturation point, the fluidity of cement paste doesn't affect increasing the quantity of superplasticiser. Both concrete mixes' fresh and mechanical properties of the same grade are similar, but the fine aggregate and coarse aggregate requirements are higher in OPC (Ordinary Portland Cement) mix concrete than in PPC (Portland Pozzolana Cement) mix concrete. The requirement of superplasticiser is more when used with PPC than the OPC concrete mix.

Keywords: Mechanical Properties; Marsh cone funnel; Workability; Superplasticizer; Saturation point.