Multi-objective optimization of the mix proportion for dune sand concrete based on response surface methodology. (22nd February 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Luo, Xiaobao; Xing, Guohua; Qiao, Lei; Miao, Pengyong; Yu, Xiaoguang; Ma, Kaize
• Is Part Of: Construction & building materials. Volume 366(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-02-22
• Subjects: Dune sand concrete -- Mix proportion -- Response surface method -- Multi-objective optimization; Building materials -- Periodicals; 624.18
• DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.129928
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0950-0618

Abstract

Highlights: The slump, compressive strength and split tensile strength of dune sand concrete (DSC) are experimentally investigated. Central composite design method is used to design the experiments. Response surface methodology is applied to the multi-objective optimization of DSC. The optimal slump, split tensile strength and dune sand to fine aggregate ratio of concrete can be achieved in line with certain strength. Abstract: Dune sand (DS) concrete (DSC) has attracted increasing attention due to the scarce of river sand and the abundance and low cost of DS. To promote more construction applications of DS, this study provides an optimization method of the mix proportion for DSC with DS to fine aggregate (D/F) ratio, basalt fiber (BF) dosage, water to cement (W/C) ratio and sand to aggregate (S/A) ratio as factors. 36 groups of dune sand concrete (DSC) were designed by the central composite design (CCD) method. Response surface method (RSM) was applied to explore the individual and interactive effects of above factors on slump, cubic compressive strength and splitting tensile strength. Desirability function was used to determine the mix ratio of concrete of different strength grades with the optimal overall performance, followed by verifications with a series of experiments. The results showed that the models established by the RSM were effective and can accurately predict the performance of DSC. W/C ratio, D/F ratio, sand to aggregate (S/A) ratio and BF dosage had significant effects on the workability and mechanical properties of concrete. Slump was affected by D/F ratio, W/C ratio, BF dosage and S/A ratio in descending order of significance, compressive strength by W/C ratio, D/F ratio, BF dosage and S/A ratio, and splitting tensile strength by W/C ratio, BF dosage, D/F ratio and S/A ratio. The optimal mix proportions for C30-C40 DSC were obtained by desirability function, and verified by experiments. The research results of this paper contribute to obtain engineered DSC.