This study presents a comprehensive experimental investigation into the influence of sugar powder on the compressive strength of concrete. The research aims to systematically evaluate the effects of incorporating sugar powder in varying proportions on the mechanical and structural performance of concrete, particularly when combined with different brands of cement. Concrete cube specimens with standard dimensions of 150 mm × 150 mm × 150 mm were meticulously prepared by adding sugar powder at five distinct percentages: 0%, 0.05%, 0.1%, 0.15%, and 0.2% by weight of cement. To ensure uniform hydration, all specimens underwent water curing for predetermined durations. The compressive strength of the concrete was tested at two critical intervals – 7 days and 28 days – to assess both early-age and long-term strength characteristics. The experimental findings were rigorously analyzed, and the results revealed a notable enhancement in compressive strength for concrete specimens containing sugar powder compared to conventional concrete mixtures without any additives. This improvement underscores the potential of sugar powder as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly additive that can optimize the strength, durability, and overall performance of concrete structures. The study highlights the promising role of sugar powder in sustainable construction practices and its ability to address challenges related to material optimization in civil engineering applications.

Keywords: Sugar powder, compressive strength, concrete performance, cement additives, water curing, mechanical properties, sustainable construction, strength optimization, durability improvement, material enhancement

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1. Aydin I. The effect of sugar on the setting time of concrete. Constr Build Mater. 2015;78:107–113. doi: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2015.01.047.
2. Hassan A, Khayat K. Effects of sugar as a retarding admixture on concrete. J Mater Civ Eng. 2015;27(1):04014101. doi: 10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0001230.
3. Al-Majed A. Sugar as a retarder in concrete mixes: A review. Cem Concr Res. 2019;121:132–137. doi: 10.1016/j.cemconres.2019.04.005.
4. Mehta PK, Monteiro PJM. Concrete: Microstructure, Properties, and Materials. 4th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2014.
5. Rattan R, Malhotra V. Effect of sugar on the properties of concrete. ACI Mater J. 2012;109(5):417–422. doi: 10.14359/51648711.
6. Siddique R, Kaur I. Effect of admixtures on the properties of concrete. Adv Mater Sci Eng. 2015;2015:978795. doi: 10.1155/2015/978795.
7. Azizi M, Behnia A. The influence of chemical admixtures on the fresh and hardened properties of concrete. J Build Eng. 2017;10:161–168. doi: 10.1016/j.jobe.2017.01.009.
8. Raouf A, Fadaee M. Study of retarding effects of sugar on setting time of concrete. J Build Mater. 2015;58(2):212–216.
9. Kumar S, Kumar R. Investigation on the effect of sugar on the setting time and strength development of concrete. Int J Eng Technol. 2016;8(4):102–109.
10. Pant A, Mishra V, Singh P. Study of sugar as an admixture in concrete mix. Int J Civ Eng Technol. 2017;8(6):2052–2057.

This study presents a comprehensive experimental investigation into the influence of sugar powder on the compressive strength of concrete. The research aims to systematically evaluate the effects of incorporating sugar powder in varying proportions on the mechanical and structural performance of concrete, particularly when combined with different brands of cement. Concrete cube specimens with standard dimensions of 150 mm × 150 mm × 150 mm were meticulously prepared by adding sugar powder at five distinct percentages: 0%, 0.05%, 0.1%, 0.15%, and 0.2% by weight of cement. To ensure uniform hydration, all specimens underwent water curing for predetermined durations. The compressive strength of the concrete was tested at two critical intervals – 7 days and 28 days – to assess both early-age and long-term strength characteristics. The experimental findings were rigorously analyzed, and the results revealed a notable enhancement in compressive strength for concrete specimens containing sugar powder compared to conventional concrete mixtures without any additives. This improvement underscores the potential of sugar powder as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly additive that can optimize the strength, durability, and overall performance of concrete structures. The study highlights the promising role of sugar powder in sustainable construction practices and its ability to address challenges related to material optimization in civil engineering applications.

Keywords: Sugar powder, compressive strength, concrete performance, cement additives, water curing, mechanical properties, sustainable construction, strength optimization, durability improvement, material enhancement

🔒 This is a subscription article

Full text is available to subscribers and institutional members. Please choose an option below to access it.

1. Aydin I. The effect of sugar on the setting time of concrete. Constr Build Mater. 2015;78:107–113. doi: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2015.01.047.
2. Hassan A, Khayat K. Effects of sugar as a retarding admixture on concrete. J Mater Civ Eng. 2015;27(1):04014101. doi: 10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0001230.
3. Al-Majed A. Sugar as a retarder in concrete mixes: A review. Cem Concr Res. 2019;121:132–137. doi: 10.1016/j.cemconres.2019.04.005.
4. Mehta PK, Monteiro PJM. Concrete: Microstructure, Properties, and Materials. 4th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2014.
5. Rattan R, Malhotra V. Effect of sugar on the properties of concrete. ACI Mater J. 2012;109(5):417–422. doi: 10.14359/51648711.
6. Siddique R, Kaur I. Effect of admixtures on the properties of concrete. Adv Mater Sci Eng. 2015;2015:978795. doi: 10.1155/2015/978795.
7. Azizi M, Behnia A. The influence of chemical admixtures on the fresh and hardened properties of concrete. J Build Eng. 2017;10:161–168. doi: 10.1016/j.jobe.2017.01.009.
8. Raouf A, Fadaee M. Study of retarding effects of sugar on setting time of concrete. J Build Mater. 2015;58(2):212–216.
9. Kumar S, Kumar R. Investigation on the effect of sugar on the setting time and strength development of concrete. Int J Eng Technol. 2016;8(4):102–109.
10. Pant A, Mishra V, Singh P. Study of sugar as an admixture in concrete mix. Int J Civ Eng Technol. 2017;8(6):2052–2057.