# Performance of Molasses Waste as a Cement Replacement to Study Concrete Compressive Strength
## 1 Introduction
This was because molasses played a vital role in promoting ideal conditions for the uniformity of concrete density by containing large amounts of chemicals that form macromolecular micelles. Another study [41] examined the effect of molasses on the workability of concrete containing sawdust ash as a partial replacement for ordinary Portland cement. According to the study's findings, the slump values increased linearly as the proportion of molasses increased from 0.1% to 0.20%. Investigating the use of molasses in concrete was the additional goal of the study by [PERSON] [42]. In addition to identifying the characteristics of C-25 concrete, the aim was to develop a specific mix ratio of concrete containing molasses as a concrete mix retarder. Molasses was found to significantly extend the setting time, slowing down the rate of strength growth in young concrete, and boosting compressive strength in older concrete. Another study [43] investigated the workability and compressive strength of concrete from southern Maharashtra containing fly ash and sugarcane molasses. Molasses was added to the concrete cured for 7, 28, and 56 days and the effects of a 0.1%, 0.15%, 0.2%, and 0.25% dosage of replacement by weight of cement were studied. All the specimens were demolded after 24 h. The retarding effect of molasses was demonstrated by the delayed setting of the concrete, which took 48 h for those with molasses doses of 0.25% and 0.2%. After 7 days, the strength of the concrete with varied molasses doses showed a slight improvement when compared to the concrete without molasses. The results of the compressive strength test showed a significant improvement in strength for the 0.15% dosage. As the molasses dosage increased from 0.1% to 0.25%, a linear increase in slump values was observed. The results are shown in Table 1.  
Another study [44] investigated the mechanical properties of the concrete made, such as the split tensile and compressive strength, with the addition of molasses. The test results showed that molasses could be used to enhance the poor mechanical and durability performance of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC). The compressive strength and split tensile strength of RAC treated with 0.5% molasses improved by up to 10-12% and 11-19%, respectively. Another study [45] investigated the use of cane molasses as a water-saving additive in recycled aggregate concrete. Through experiments and analytical discussions, it was found that the addition of molasses up to 0.25% enhanced the mechanical performance of recycled aggregate concrete. From the above reported brief literature excursus, it is evident how many studies can be found in the literature on the usage of molasses as a time-delaying agent in concrete. On the other hand, too little research is available on the performance and the effect on concrete compressive strength related to the use of molasses. Therefore, to contribute to covering such a gap in knowledge, the present study provides an analysis involving the use of molasses in a concrete mix, by replacing the cement content at various percentages and testing the concrete samples for their compression strength. The study also includes the analysis of concrete compressive strength at higher molasses dosages of 1% and 2% wt. of cement content, the replacement ratios for which little evidence is found in the preceding literature. Moreover, the significance of the study also lies in the fact that no study incorporating the effect of molasses on concrete compressive strength has been initiated in Pakistan, and it is the first of its kind using molasses from Sillanwali Sugar Mills.