The Effect of Plant-Based Polysaccharide (Gum Arabic) as a Super-Plasticizer on the Mechanical Properties of Concrete

Abstract

This study aimed to determine how plant-based polysaccharide (Gum Arabic), a super-plasticizer, affected concrete fresh and strength characteristics. Workability test, compressive strength, and flexural strength of concrete at various percentages of addition of Gum Arabic (GmAc) were determined to assess the impact of Gum Arabic on concrete using a concrete mix of M25 grade created with the inclusion of 0.1%, 0.3%, 0.6%, 0.9%, and 1.2% GmAc. X-ray diffraction spectroscopy was carried out on the concrete with GmAc which gave the optimum strength value. The results showed that the effect of GmAc on concrete depends on the dosage added to the concrete mix, as an increase in dosage of GmAc yield higher compressive strength and flexural strength of the concrete up to 0.3% dosage where the optimum value was obtained. After that, the effect proved counter-productive because the values obtained for dosages beyond 0.3% were low compared to the control sample. The study has shown that GmAc can be used as an alternative waterreducing admixture in concrete production.