Experimental study of the effect of xanthan gum on the durability of self-compacting concrete containing Micro and Nano silica in chloride environment

The durability of concrete is one of the main criteria in the implementation and operation of concrete structures exposed to environmental risks. One of the most important causes of rebar corrosion is the presence of chloride ions. Therefore this paper investigated the effect of using xanthan gum, which is a type of polysaccharide, on the durability characteristics of self-compacting concrete. By selecting step xanthan additives in the amount of 0.2% by weight of cement, Silica fume in the amount of 5, 7, and 10% by weight of cement, and Nano silica in the amount of 2, 3, and 4% by weight of cement, mechanical and durability characteristics have been evaluated experimentally. In this paper, by controlling the rheological properties of self-compacting concrete, the parameters of migration coefficient; Chloride penetration refers to the depth to which chloride ions from the environment penetrate into the concrete; electrical specific strength and compressive strength of concrete were evaluated. Self-Compacting Concrete Benefits and the expansion of its application, multi-parameter evaluation is needed to be considered. The results indicate that xanthan gum additive improves viscosity, reduces slump flow, and reduces the separation of self-compacting concrete, and its effect on improving durability characteristics such as specific strength, migration coefficient, and penetration depth of chlorine ion, combined with each other is better than used separately. Microstructural images indicated the formation of a stable composition in the three-additive design and xanthan gum, Silica fume, and Nano-silica were evaluated to provide the desired viscosity, strength, and durability of self-compacting concrete, respectively.