Experimental investigation and optimization of one-part alkali-activated self-compacting concrete mixes

Emphasizing the growing importance of sustainability, alkali-activated materials (AAMs) have emerged as a revolutionary alternative for cement in the construction sector. This study delves into the fresh, mechanical, and microstructural properties of One-Part Alkali-activated Self-compacting Concret...

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Main Authors: Kaku Mahendra, Mattur C. Narasimhan, Gundupalli Bhanu Prakash, Amit Kumar Das
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2024-12-01
Series:Case Studies in Construction Materials
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214509524012142
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author Kaku Mahendra
Mattur C. Narasimhan
Gundupalli Bhanu Prakash
Amit Kumar Das
author_facet Kaku Mahendra
Mattur C. Narasimhan
Gundupalli Bhanu Prakash
Amit Kumar Das
author_sort Kaku Mahendra
collection DOAJ
description Emphasizing the growing importance of sustainability, alkali-activated materials (AAMs) have emerged as a revolutionary alternative for cement in the construction sector. This study delves into the fresh, mechanical, and microstructural properties of One-Part Alkali-activated Self-compacting Concrete (OPASC) mixes. While mixtures of Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBFS) and Fly Ash (FA) were utilized as the precursors, powdered sodium metasilicate was employed to function as the activator. To streamline experimental design and reduce the economic demands of extensive testing, the Taguchi-Grey Relational Analysis (GRA) was utilized to identify optimal multi-response parameter levels. This method considered binder content (B) within a range of 700–800 kg/m³ , water-to-binder (W/B) ratios between 0.38 and 0.42, and Na2O percentages from 5 % to 7 % as key input variables. Results indicated that the designed mixes recorded workability values satisfying the EFNARC guidelines, compressive strengths greater than 60 MPa, split-tensile strengths in the range of 3.5–4.6 MPa, and flexural strengths varying between 5.5 and 7.2 MPa. The mix parameters for the optimal mix, with the highest mean grey relational grade, were identified from the Taguchi-GRPA approach as B = 750 kg/m3, W/B = 0.4, and N = 6 %. Microstructural analysis revealed the formation of C/N-A-S-H type gels, which are instrumental in developing a compact matrix enhancing the mechanical properties. A good agreement between actual experimental results obtained for a different set of verification mixes with those predicted by regression-equations confirmed the potency of the Taguchi-GRA approach in optimizing the OPASC mix parameters.
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spelling doaj-art-ccc0d498de6340a7be1f853d340cef5c2025-08-20T02:20:42ZengElsevierCase Studies in Construction Materials2214-50952024-12-0121e0406210.1016/j.cscm.2024.e04062Experimental investigation and optimization of one-part alkali-activated self-compacting concrete mixesKaku Mahendra0Mattur C. Narasimhan1Gundupalli Bhanu Prakash2Amit Kumar Das3Corresponding author.; Department of Civil Engineering, National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Surathkal, Mangalore 575025, IndiaDepartment of Civil Engineering, National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Surathkal, Mangalore 575025, IndiaDepartment of Civil Engineering, National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Surathkal, Mangalore 575025, IndiaDepartment of Civil Engineering, National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Surathkal, Mangalore 575025, IndiaEmphasizing the growing importance of sustainability, alkali-activated materials (AAMs) have emerged as a revolutionary alternative for cement in the construction sector. This study delves into the fresh, mechanical, and microstructural properties of One-Part Alkali-activated Self-compacting Concrete (OPASC) mixes. While mixtures of Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBFS) and Fly Ash (FA) were utilized as the precursors, powdered sodium metasilicate was employed to function as the activator. To streamline experimental design and reduce the economic demands of extensive testing, the Taguchi-Grey Relational Analysis (GRA) was utilized to identify optimal multi-response parameter levels. This method considered binder content (B) within a range of 700–800 kg/m³ , water-to-binder (W/B) ratios between 0.38 and 0.42, and Na2O percentages from 5 % to 7 % as key input variables. Results indicated that the designed mixes recorded workability values satisfying the EFNARC guidelines, compressive strengths greater than 60 MPa, split-tensile strengths in the range of 3.5–4.6 MPa, and flexural strengths varying between 5.5 and 7.2 MPa. The mix parameters for the optimal mix, with the highest mean grey relational grade, were identified from the Taguchi-GRPA approach as B = 750 kg/m3, W/B = 0.4, and N = 6 %. Microstructural analysis revealed the formation of C/N-A-S-H type gels, which are instrumental in developing a compact matrix enhancing the mechanical properties. A good agreement between actual experimental results obtained for a different set of verification mixes with those predicted by regression-equations confirmed the potency of the Taguchi-GRA approach in optimizing the OPASC mix parameters.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214509524012142One-part alkaliTaguchi-GRASelf-compacting concreteSlagFly ashOptimization
spellingShingle Kaku Mahendra
Mattur C. Narasimhan
Gundupalli Bhanu Prakash
Amit Kumar Das
Experimental investigation and optimization of one-part alkali-activated self-compacting concrete mixes
Case Studies in Construction Materials
One-part alkali
Taguchi-GRA
Self-compacting concrete
Slag
Fly ash
Optimization
title Experimental investigation and optimization of one-part alkali-activated self-compacting concrete mixes
title_full Experimental investigation and optimization of one-part alkali-activated self-compacting concrete mixes
title_fullStr Experimental investigation and optimization of one-part alkali-activated self-compacting concrete mixes
title_full_unstemmed Experimental investigation and optimization of one-part alkali-activated self-compacting concrete mixes
title_short Experimental investigation and optimization of one-part alkali-activated self-compacting concrete mixes
title_sort experimental investigation and optimization of one part alkali activated self compacting concrete mixes
topic One-part alkali
Taguchi-GRA
Self-compacting concrete
Slag
Fly ash
Optimization
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214509524012142
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AT matturcnarasimhan experimentalinvestigationandoptimizationofonepartalkaliactivatedselfcompactingconcretemixes
AT gundupallibhanuprakash experimentalinvestigationandoptimizationofonepartalkaliactivatedselfcompactingconcretemixes
AT amitkumardas experimentalinvestigationandoptimizationofonepartalkaliactivatedselfcompactingconcretemixes