DOI: 10.36347/sjet

Pages: 282-292

This paper is the result of findings on the use of Gum Arabic as an admixture in concrete. The research seeks to find the effect of Gum Arabic on some properties of cement and concrete at both fresh and hardened states. Properties of cement and concrete investigated include: setting times and shrinkage of cement, workability, compressive strength and durability of concrete in acidic medium. Quantities of Gum Arabic added as admixture to the cement and concrete were 0%, 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, 0.8% and 1.0% of the weight of cement. Cement pastes containing the above quantities of Gum Arabic were prepared and tested for shrinkage and setting times of cement. Similarly, concrete mix of 1:2:4 (cement: fine aggregate :coarse aggregate) was designed incorporating 0%, 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, 0.8% and 1.0% of the weight of cement in the concrete mixes, varying the water/(cement + Gum Arabic) ratios. Trial mixes were design first to determine the optimum water/(cement + Gum Arabic) ratios which were used for the actual mixes for workability, compressive strength and durability of concrete in acidic medium.