The effects of seaweed powder to the properties of polymer modified concrete

Abstract

Eucheuma Cottonii is a sea plant that commonly known as seaweed grows abundantly and part of the products in agricultural industries. The effects of alginate from seaweed benefited the properties of composites due to its advantage as a hydrophilic gelling material. This paper investigates the effects of Eucheuma Cottonii in polymer modified concrete. The investigations covers on the physical properties and mechanical properties of the polymer modified concrete based on different percentages of seaweed powder. The percentages chosen are 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50% cement replacement inside polymer modified concrete. The effects on the seaweed powder percentage to the properties of polymer modified concrete are determined through microstructural, water absorption, pulse velocity, compressive strength and indirect tensile strength. Findings from the experimental works show that an optimum seaweed powder percentage into polymer modified concrete is 20% with improvement shows from the mechanical properties. It can be concluded that, seaweed powder potentially acted as a binder in polymer modified concrete and suitably chosen as a sustainable material inside polymer modified concrete.