USE of GUM Arabic as a Superplasticizer in Self-Compacting Concrete
Caroline M. Athman1, Silvester O. Abuodha2, Timothy Nyomboi3
1Caroline M. Athman, Department of Civil Engineering, Pan African University Institute for Science, Technology and Innovation Kenya, Kenya.
2Silvester O Abuodha, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Nairobi- Kenya
3Timothy Nyomboi, Department of Civil and Structural Engineering, Moi University-Kenya, Kenya.
Manuscript received on March 18, 2018. | Revised Manuscript received on March 28, 2018. | Manuscript published on April 15, 2018. | PP: 8-13 | Volume-5, Issue-4, April 2018. | Retrieval Number: D1065045418
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© The Authors. Published By: Blue Eyes Intelligence Engineering and Sciences Publication (BEIESP). This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
Abstract: In this paper, Gum Arabic (GA) obtained from Acacia Senegal trees found in northern Kenya and most of other semi arid areas in Kenya was used in self compacting concrete as a superplasticizer. The research sought to establish the effect of Gum Arabic on concrete rheology at varying dosages and water-powder ratio. Series of mix design trials were conducted based on European Standard for design of self-compacting concrete (EFNARC). The final optimum mix design ratio applied were: water-powder ratio of 1.1, 1.0, 0.9 and 0.8 and Gum Arabic dosages of 2%, 4%, 6%, 8%, 10% and 12% by weight of cement while the coarse and fine aggregates content applied was 28% and 45% respectively. The resultant mix was tested for passing ability, flow ability and segregation resistance .The results show that Gum Arabic is suitable for use as a superplasticizer in self compacting concrete and a dosage of 8% by weight of cement for water-powder ratio of 1.0, 0.9 and 0.8 by volume and aggregate ratio of 28% coarse and 45% fine is recommended. It is also noted that it has an advantage of being environment friendly.
Keywords: Gum Arabic, Superplasticizer, Spread Flow.