Centre of Mathematics of the University of Porto

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Publications

Modelling and Predicting Self-Compacting High Early Age Strength Mortars Properties: Comparison of Response Models from Full, Fractioned and Small Central Composite Designs

Publication . Cangussu, Nara; Matos, Ana Mafalda; Milheiro-Oliveira, Paula; Maia, Lino

The mixture design of cement-based materials can be complex due to the increasing num ber of constituent raw materials and multiple requirements in terms of engineering performance and economic and environmental efficiency. Designing experiments based on factorial plans has shown to be a powerful tool for predicting and optimising advanced cement-based materials, such as self-compacting high-early-strength cement-based mortars. Nevertheless, the number of factor interactions required for factor scheduling increases considerably with the number of factors. Con sequently, the probability that the interactions do not significantly affect the answer also increases. As such, fractioned factorial plans may be an exciting option. For the first time, the current work compares the regression models and the predicting capacity of full, fractionated (A and B fractions) and small factorial designs to describe self-compacting high-early-strength cement-based mortars’ properties, namely, the funnel time, flexure and compressive strength at 24 h for the function of the mixture parameters Vw/Vc, Sp/p, Vw/Vp, Vs/Vm and Vfs/Vs for the different factorial designs. We combine statistical methods and regression analysis. Response models were obtained from the full, fractionated, and small plans. The full and fractionated models seem appropriate for describing the properties of self-compacting high-early-strength cement-based mortars in the experimental region. Moreover, the predicting ability of the full and fractionated factorial designs is very similar; however, the small design predictions reveal some concerns. Our results confirm the potentiality of fractioned plans to reduce the number of experiments and consequently reduce the cost and time of experimentation when designing self-compacting high-early-strength cement-based mortars.

2023Journal article

Open access

Numerical Design and Optimisation of Self-Compacting High Early-Strength Cement-Based Mortars

Publication . Cangussu, Nara; Matos, Ana Mafalda; Milheiro-Oliveira, Paula; Maia, Lino

The use of SCC in Europe began in the 1990s and was mainly promoted by the precast industry. Precast companies generally prefer high early-strength concrete mixtures to accelerate their production rate, reducing the demoulding time. From a materials science point of view, self-compacting and high early-strength concrete mixes may be challenging because they present contradicting mixture design requirements. For example, a low water/binder ratio (w/b) is key to achieving high early strength. However, it may impact the self-compacting ability, which is very sensitive to Vw/Vp. As such, the mixture design can be complex. The design of the experimental approach is a powerful tool for designing, predicting, and optimising advanced cement-based materials when several constituent materials are employed and multi-performance requirements are targeted. The current work aimed at fitting models to mathematically describe the flow ability, viscosity, and mechanical strength properties of high-performance self-compacting cement-based mortars based on a central composite design. The statistical fitted models revealed that Vs/Vm exhibited the strongest (negative) effect on the slump-flow diameter and T-funnel time. Vw/Vp showed the most significant effect on mechanical strength. Models were then used for mortar optimisation. The proposed optimal mixture represents the best compromise between self-compacting ability—a flow diameter of 250 mm and funnel time equal to 10 s—and compressive strength higher than 50 MPa at 24 h without any special curing treatment.

2023Journal article

Open access