Cost Effectiveness Assessment of Different Nepalese Cement Brands for Selected Sites of Supermarket

Abstract

The cost of cement is very crucial for the effective construction of any project. Overall objective of this study is to assess the cost effectiveness of cement brands available for ongoing construction projects of Main Supermarket at Bhaktapur, Butwal and Biratnagar. Name of Project(Main) and Brands of Cement(M,Sa & S) are nominated only for Ethical standard though their permission ware taken. The cost difference among applied brands for those sites was evaluated based on design mix. Magnesia oxide, insoluble residue, setting time and compressive strength properties were found to be different as claimed by the manufacturer in their cement certificates. The results of compressive strength test at 28 days showed that M, Sa and S cements have compressive strength of 55.20 MPa, 55.20 MPa, and 48.90 MPa respectively. These values helped to classify M and Sa cements in 53 – Grade &Class – E category whereas S cement in 43 – Grade &Class – D category. Furthermore, results of design mix showed that M and Sa cements could be adopted in the sites under study with minimum cement content of 340 kg/m3 for M20 and 375 kg/m3 for M25 concretes whereas S cement should be adopted with minimum cement content of 360 kg/m3for M20 and 400 kg/m3 for M25 concretes.Sa cement was found to be cheapest with estimated total cement cost of Nrs.52, 917, 177/-& Nrs.26, 710, 803/- or, estimated unit cost of Nrs.6,140/m3& Nrs.5,548/m3for Bhaktapur and Butwal sites respectively whereas, M cement was found to be cheapest for Biratnagar site with estimated total cement cost of Nrs.24, 956, 340/- or, estimated unit cost of Nrs.5.938/m353 grade cement is cost effective in terms of quality, content and rate assessment so further grading of Ordinary Portland Cement should be done.