Pineapple Juice Extract as A Natural Admixture on The Fresh and Compressive Strength of Concrete

Abstract

In order to improve the workability, strength, and setting time of contemporary cement-based products, admixtures are essential. However, research into less expensive alternatives was driven by the high cost of commercially produced admixtures used in concrete production. In order to evaluate the workability, compressive strength, and setting time of concrete, the study used natural pineapple juice extract between 5% to 25%. Results showed that 15% of pineapple extract optimally increased the initial and final setting times by 93% and 45%, respectively, in comparison to the control mixtures of 0% addition of pineapple extract. Regarding compressive strength, the 15% ideal pineapple extract decreased compressive strength by 0.9%, 24%, and 20% at 14, 21, and 28 days of curing, respectively, in comparison to the control sample. Additionally, the 15% pineapple extract compressive strengths were statistically comparable to the control mixture. Pineapple extract can therefore be utilized as an effective retarder because it considerably increases the concrete's curing time while maintaining a considerable compressive strength with little or no effect on the workability