title: A statistical approach to optimizing concrete mixture design.
abstract: A step-by-step statistical approach is proposed to obtain optimum proportioning of concrete mixtures using the data obtained through a statistically planned experimental program. The utility of the proposed approach for optimizing the design of concrete mixture is illustrated considering a typical case in which trial mixtures were considered according to a full factorial experiment design involving three factors and their three levels (3(3)). A total of 27 concrete mixtures with three replicates (81 specimens) were considered by varying the levels of key factors affecting compressive strength of concrete, namely, water/cementitious materials ratio (0.38, 0.43, and 0.48), cementitious materials content (350, 375, and 400 kg/m(3)), and fine/total aggregate ratio (0.35, 0.40, and 0.45). The experimental data were utilized to carry out analysis of variance (ANOVA) and to develop a polynomial regression model for compressive strength in terms of the three design factors considered in this study. The developed statistical model was used to show how optimization of concrete mixtures can be carried out with different possible options.
authors.affiliation: Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Shamsad
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-7939-7319
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ahmad
authors.affiliation: Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Saeid A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Alghamdi
mesh_terms: D045424:Complex Mixtures / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D019245:Compressive Strength; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003252:Construction Materials / Q000032:analysis*; D008422:Materials Testing; D008903:Minerals / Q000032:analysis*; D015233:Models, Statistical; D014867:Water / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D045424:Complex Mixtures; D008903:Minerals; D014867:Water