Feasibility Study of Reetha Powder (Sapindus trifoliatus) as a Plasticizer Admixture in Concrete

Abstract

Abstract

With on-going research and development activities in the field of concrete admixtures, emphasis is laid on use of naturally available organic material to enhance properties of concrete. Reetha (Sapindus trifoliatus), is popularly used in ayurvedic medicines such as shampoo and other products because of its excellent foaming and cleansing properties. This study emphasizes on the effect of natural admixtures such as reetha powder concrete (RPC) in comparison with super plasticizers (SPC) and air entraining admixtures (AEC) on various engineering and microscopic properties. The dosages of admixtures were taken as 0.5, 0.8 and 1% by weight of cement for RPC, SPC and AEC concrete. It was observed that RPC gives excellent flow ability and slump however, compressive strength of RPC is reduced by 50% in comparison to SPC and AEC concrete. Hence, study was further extended by reducing dosage of reetha from 0.5 to 0.3% with 0.5% of superplasticizer (R-SP) and compared the results with SPC. It was found that R-SP has 100 mm slump and strength was 31 MPa in comparison to SPC which had 70 mm slump and 36 MPa strength. It is also found in improvement of microscopic properties of concrete over SPC and AEC concrete.

Keywords: Sapindus trifoliatus (Reetha), air entraining admixture, air content, compressive strength