Development of Statistical Model, Mixture Design, Fresh and Hardened Properties of Furnace Slag - Lightweight Self Consolidating Concrete (FS-LWSCC)

Abstract

A response surface method was carried out to model the influence of key mixtureparameters on properties affecting the performance of Expended Furnace Slag - LightweightSelf Consolidating Concrete (FS-LWSCC). Three key parameters that have significantinfluence on mixture characteristics of LWSCC were selected to derive mathematical modelfor evaluating the concrete fresh and hardened properties. Experimental levels of the variables(maximum and minimum) water/binder ratio (0.30 to 0.40), HRWRA (SP) (0.3 to1.2% bytotal content of binder), and total binder content (410 to 550kg/m3) were used for the designof Furnace Slag-LWSCC mixtures. A total of 18 mixtures were designed and produced. Theresponses of the derived statistical model were slump flow, V-funnel flow time, J-Ring flow,J-Ring height difference, L- box, filling capacity, bleeding, air content, initial and final settingtime, sieve segregation test, fresh unit weight, 28 days air dry unit weight, 28 days oven dryunit weight, and 7 and 28 days compressive strengths. It was seen that the proposed mixdesign model is a useful tool to understand the interactions between mixture parametersaffecting important characteristics of Expanded Furnace Slag - LWSCC. This understandingmight be simplified the mix design process and the required testing, as the model identifiesthe relative significance of each parameter, therefore providing important informationrequired to optimize the mix design. Consequently, minimize the effort needed to optimizeLWSCC mixtures ensuring balance between parameters affecting fresh and hardenedproperties.