Performance evaluation of concrete with Arabic gum biopolymer

Abstract

Arabic gum biopolymer (AGB) has demonstrated the good potential to be used as a water-reducing admixture in concrete to enhance its physical and mechanical properties as well as durability performance. The utilization of AGB in concrete is an attractive because of technological, economic, and ecological advantages. This paper highlights the results of an experimental investigation on the performance of concrete incorporating AGB as an admixture. Furthermore, durability of concrete in the acidic environment is conducted to provide objective evidence and support for previous finding. Six mixes with different percentages of AGB varying from 0 to 1.1% were cast. The specimens were cured in water and tested for fresh and hardened properties. The studied properties included soundness, ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), compressive strength, and acid resistance. It was observed that the addition of AGB significantly reduces the soundness of concrete. By adding AGB the compressive strength of concrete was enhanced by 8% to 41 MPa and UPV values were increased by about 40%. Also, the resistance of concrete containing AGB to acid attack was higher than that of plain concrete. X-ray diffraction was preformad to help explain the influence of AGB on the macroscopic behavior of concrete. The findings of study demonstrated that there is a promising future for the use of AGB as an admixture in the production of concrete with adequate mechanical and durability properties.