Enhancement of concrete performance with xanthan gum: potential of natural biopolymer

Abstract The study examines the use of Ethiopian acacia tree gum as a natural biopolymer to enhance the properties of concrete. However, the limited number of long-term studies poses challenges in fully understanding the durability and effectiveness of gum-modified concrete. The main objective of th...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Bahiru Bewket Mitikie, Debebe Girma Geleta
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2025-02-01
Series:Discover Civil Engineering
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s44290-025-00203-1
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850237820713566208
author Bahiru Bewket Mitikie
Debebe Girma Geleta
author_facet Bahiru Bewket Mitikie
Debebe Girma Geleta
author_sort Bahiru Bewket Mitikie
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The study examines the use of Ethiopian acacia tree gum as a natural biopolymer to enhance the properties of concrete. However, the limited number of long-term studies poses challenges in fully understanding the durability and effectiveness of gum-modified concrete. The main objective of this study is to evaluate how Xanthan gum can improve the longevity and performance of concrete. Various commonly used procedures are employed in laboratory settings to assess concrete’s mechanical, durability, and morphological properties. It is crucial to adhere to standardized testing procedures and protocols to obtain accurate and reliable results. The xanthan gum percentage used for this study is 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, 0.4%, and 0.5% as an additive. By making a mixture more viscous, xanthan gum improves its flow properties. Investigations indicate that Xanthan gum can extend the setting time of concrete, resulting in compressive strengths of 32.8 MPa and flexural strengths of 3.3 MPa at 0.4% replacement of Xanthan gum. In addition, the addition of Xanthan gum shows that as Xanthan gum increases the water absorptions are going to decrease. X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that it is predominantly amorphous, with a distinct peak at 18.76°. The elemental composition analysis confirmed the presence of key minerals, such as SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3, CaO, and MgO, which provide specific advantages for concrete production. Xanthan gum also functions as a water-reducing admixture, further improving the material’s strength. This study highlights the importance of sustainability and environmental considerations in concrete production.
format Article
id doaj-art-685493e856554cfd8b66c50e539999bf
institution OA Journals
issn 2948-1546
language English
publishDate 2025-02-01
publisher Springer
record_format Article
series Discover Civil Engineering
spelling doaj-art-685493e856554cfd8b66c50e539999bf2025-08-20T02:01:39ZengSpringerDiscover Civil Engineering2948-15462025-02-012111510.1007/s44290-025-00203-1Enhancement of concrete performance with xanthan gum: potential of natural biopolymerBahiru Bewket Mitikie0Debebe Girma Geleta1Department of Civil Engineering, School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Adama Science and Technology UniversityDepartment of Civil Engineering, School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Adama Science and Technology UniversityAbstract The study examines the use of Ethiopian acacia tree gum as a natural biopolymer to enhance the properties of concrete. However, the limited number of long-term studies poses challenges in fully understanding the durability and effectiveness of gum-modified concrete. The main objective of this study is to evaluate how Xanthan gum can improve the longevity and performance of concrete. Various commonly used procedures are employed in laboratory settings to assess concrete’s mechanical, durability, and morphological properties. It is crucial to adhere to standardized testing procedures and protocols to obtain accurate and reliable results. The xanthan gum percentage used for this study is 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, 0.4%, and 0.5% as an additive. By making a mixture more viscous, xanthan gum improves its flow properties. Investigations indicate that Xanthan gum can extend the setting time of concrete, resulting in compressive strengths of 32.8 MPa and flexural strengths of 3.3 MPa at 0.4% replacement of Xanthan gum. In addition, the addition of Xanthan gum shows that as Xanthan gum increases the water absorptions are going to decrease. X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that it is predominantly amorphous, with a distinct peak at 18.76°. The elemental composition analysis confirmed the presence of key minerals, such as SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3, CaO, and MgO, which provide specific advantages for concrete production. Xanthan gum also functions as a water-reducing admixture, further improving the material’s strength. This study highlights the importance of sustainability and environmental considerations in concrete production.https://doi.org/10.1007/s44290-025-00203-1BiopolymersXanthan gumConcreteStrengthNatural gum
spellingShingle Bahiru Bewket Mitikie
Debebe Girma Geleta
Enhancement of concrete performance with xanthan gum: potential of natural biopolymer
Discover Civil Engineering
Biopolymers
Xanthan gum
Concrete
Strength
Natural gum
title Enhancement of concrete performance with xanthan gum: potential of natural biopolymer
title_full Enhancement of concrete performance with xanthan gum: potential of natural biopolymer
title_fullStr Enhancement of concrete performance with xanthan gum: potential of natural biopolymer
title_full_unstemmed Enhancement of concrete performance with xanthan gum: potential of natural biopolymer
title_short Enhancement of concrete performance with xanthan gum: potential of natural biopolymer
title_sort enhancement of concrete performance with xanthan gum potential of natural biopolymer
topic Biopolymers
Xanthan gum
Concrete
Strength
Natural gum
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s44290-025-00203-1
work_keys_str_mv AT bahirubewketmitikie enhancementofconcreteperformancewithxanthangumpotentialofnaturalbiopolymer
AT debebegirmageleta enhancementofconcreteperformancewithxanthangumpotentialofnaturalbiopolymer