## 4 Conclusions  
In this experimental investigation, the effects of AVM on the fresh properties and mechanical performance of OPC and LC\({}^{3}\)-50 in producing SCC are presented. Based on the obtained results, the following conclusions can be drawn:  
* Setting time: The setting time of OPC and LC\({}^{3}\)-50 increased with the percentage dosage of AVM, suggesting the potential of AVM as a set retarder.
* Workability: In terms of workability (slump flow, V-funnel, and L-Box), the results at a 10 wt.% AVM dosage are well comparable with a 2 wt.% CS dosage in OPC and  
Figure 7: Bulk density OPC mixtures and LC\({}^{3}\)-50 blends containing (**a**) CS and (**b**) AVM superplasticizers.  
LC\({}^{3}\)-50 systems. AVM recorded a slump flow of 672.5 \(\pm\) 23.25 mm and 656.5 \(\pm\) 9 mm compared to the control for both OPC and LC\({}^{3}\)-50 cement systems.
* Yield stress: The percentage dosage of AVM relatively reduced the yield stress, indicating that AVM acts as a plasticizer and can be used to improve the workability and rheology of concrete systems.
* Compressive strength: AVM improved compressive strength at small dosages (2.5 wt.%), with 42.45 \(\pm\) 1.04 MPa for OPC and 28.59 \(\pm\) 1.39 MPa for LC\({}^{3}\)-50 at 28 days. However, further increases in dosage reduced overall compressive strength for both systems. At 7.5 wt.%, AVM achieved allowable structural concrete strength of 30.92 \(\pm\) 1.55 MPa and 19.85 \(\pm\) 0.99 MPa for OPC and LC\({}^{3}\)-50 systems after water curing for 28 days, respectively.
* Density: The density of SCC concrete prepared using 2.5 wt.% of AVM resulted in a bulk density comparable to conventional structural concrete but reduced with an increase in AVM contents.
* Optimal usage: The findings suggest that AVM is a potential admixture for making SCC at a 7.5 wt.% addition to concrete, achieving favorable workability and providing allowable structural concrete strength. However, long-term durability properties of such SCC should be evaluated for a comprehensive understanding of its performance.  
Conceptualization, A.O.N.; methodology, A.O.N., J.N.M. and J.M.M.; software, A.O.N. and L.S.; validation, S.O.A., J.N.M. and J.M.M.; formal analysis, A.O.N.; investigation, A.O.N. and J.M.M.; resources, A.O.N., J.N.M. and J.M.M.; data curation, L.S.; writing--original draft preparation, A.O.N. and L.S.; writing--review and editing, L.S.; visualization, J.M.M. and L.S.; supervision, S.O.A., J.N.M. and J.M.M.; project administration, L.S.; funding acquisition, A.O.N. and L.S. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.  
This research was funded by the Meru University of Science and Technology from the 7 th Internal Call (Grant No. 12) and by the Czech Science Foundation, grant number 20-14506S.  
Not applicable.  
The data presented in this study are available on request. The data are not publicly available due to privacy.  
The authors acknowledge Meru University of Science and Technology, East Africa Portland Cement, Materials Testing and Research Division, Meru, and University of Nairobi for offering laboratories, and the Czech Science Foundation to conduct this research.  
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.  
References