Properties and Behavior of Starch Biopolymer Concrete

Abstract

Starch act as natural polymer has been got from Wheat, Tapioca, and Corn. Corn starch has been investigated as biopolymer and has been added to concrete in different percentages (0%, 0.5%, 1%,and 1.5%) by cement weight and the study shows the effect of using starch on some properties of concrete in the fresh state ( slum and fresh density) and at hardened state (compressive strength, splitting tensile strength and flexural strength) at 28 days. The mix proportion was(1:2.3:2.3) (cement: sand: gravel) respectively and at constant w/c equal to 0.47.The results indicate that the optimum percentage of starch addition was 0.5%, so it showed an increase by 50%in compressive strength and splitting tensile strength; while, the increases in flexural strength were26%. Slump showed a 25% increase and fresh density showed a 2.5% increase at 0.5% addition of starch