Mitigating the Effect of Rapid Hydration of Fresh Concrete in Hot Weather Climate Using Gum Arabic Powder as a Setting Time Retarder Admixture

Abstract

In this research, the setting time of Gum-Arabic infused concrete was investigated, chemical properties of Gum-Arabic were first evaluated and compared to an industrial admixture. A total number of 64 concrete cubes of size 100x100mm3 with gum Arabic addition at 0.4%, 0.6% and 0.8% of cement were produced for the study and cured for a maximum of 56 days. The workability, setting time, compressive strength and water absorption of the concrete were tested and compared with the control. The result of the experiments shows that Gum-Arabic increases the workability and setting time of concrete with an increase in its concentration, the compressive strength of the concrete decreases with an increase in Gum-Arabic concentration however, it regains strength at increased curing age. Therefore, Gum-Arabic admixture is recommended to mitigate the effect of hot weather climate on concrete, also for work ability improvement, as well as for water absorption reduction, especially for structures to be built in a damp environment.