Experimental study demonstrates enhanced stability and shear-thinning in xanthan gum-modified cement grout, indicating low-to-moderate dosages balance flow and compressive strength.
Key Points
Investigate the impact of xanthan gum biopolymer additive (0–1.5% by weight of cement) on the rheological properties, bleeding resistance, and compressive strength of cement grout.
Characterized rheology and thixotropy using the Herschel-Bulkley model and a three-interval thixotropy test at a 0.6 water-cement ratio with 0–1.5% xanthan gum dosages.
Assessed bleeding resistance and compressive strength development across curing periods of 7, 14, and 28 days.
Yield stress and consistency index increased with additive dosage, while flow index decreased and bleeding dropped from 7.04% in the control to 1.22% at 1.25% xanthan gum.
Structural breakdown under high shear remained between 95.9% and 97.0%, while structural recovery stabilized at approximately 80% at higher xanthan gum contents.
Compressive strength was preserved at dosages of 0.2% or lower across all curing ages, with higher dosages progressively reducing mechanical strength.