Study on strength parameters of plain cement concrete added with tamarind kernel powder.

The quality of the construction material is required to be improved to enhance the strength and performance of the structure. From the earlier days, admixture assumes a crucial job in cement to improve the basic properties. Before knowing about the admixtures, good knowledge regarding concrete is required. In this work, an endeavor was made to contemplate the conceivable outcomes of utilizing tamarind kernel powder, a naturally available biowaste material which is a hydrocolloid in nature, as an admixture in concrete. The addition of tamarind kernel powder was varied from 0.25 to 1.25% in proportion to the weight of cement used. A huge amount of tamarind seed wastes are produced every year especially in India it is nearly 97,000 metric tons per year. In the absence of waste disposal, the utilization of tamarind seed for concrete improvement will be a great development. In this research article, tamarind kernel powder was added to fresh concrete and relevant tests were conducted on fresh and hardened concrete before and after the addition of tamarind kernel powder. Further, nondestructive tests were also carried out on concrete added with tamarind kernel powder. The concrete shows good enhancement in strength until the addition of 1% of tamarind kernel powder to the weight of cement. Moreover, the workability, mobility and compaction factor results obtained in this experiment show that the optimal addition of tamarind kernel powder does not affect the properties of fresh concrete. The tests on hardened concrete and results obtained from nondestructive testing methods confirm the same. Hence, this experimental work shows that the natural hydrocolloid, that is, tamarind kernel powder can be added to an amount of 1% to the weight of cement which shall not affect the other parameters of concrete but increases the strength considerably. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]