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A Fuzzy System Methodology for Concrete Mixture Design Considering Maximum Packing Density and Minimum Cement Content

  • Research Article - Civil Engineering
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Abstract

Concrete mix proportioning could be referred to the process of determining the quantities of concrete ingredients using local materials to achieve specific characteristics of the concrete. Among the most important parameters affecting the performance of concrete are the packing density and the grading curve of the aggregates. Better packing of aggregates improves the strength, durability, elastic modulus and creep of the concrete. Accordingly, by increasing packing density and decreasing cement content, environment pollution will decrease. The present study proposes a fuzzy-based technique for mix proportioning of normal concrete that increases packing density and decreases cement content. The proposed system utilizes four sub-fuzzy systems to quantify the target compressive strength, water-to-cement ratio, ideal grading curve and free water of the concrete. The results from the proposed fuzzy systems were compared with those obtained from the concrete mix proportioned by field experts. The comparison showed strong agreement between the results for the fuzzy and expert-proportioned mixtures. The proposed system used less cement and had a higher packing density than was found using other mixture proportioning methods.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Civil Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 16765-163, Narmak, Tehran, Iran

    Parviz Ghoddousi & Ali Akbar Shirzadi Javid

  2. Department of Concrete Technology, Road, Housing and Urban Development Research Center (BHRC), Tehran, 13145-1696, Iran

    Jafar Sobhani

Authors
  1. Parviz Ghoddousi
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  2. Ali Akbar Shirzadi Javid
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  3. Jafar Sobhani
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Correspondence to Ali Akbar Shirzadi Javid.

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Ghoddousi, P., Shirzadi Javid, A.A. & Sobhani, J. A Fuzzy System Methodology for Concrete Mixture Design Considering Maximum Packing Density and Minimum Cement Content. Arab J Sci Eng 40, 2239–2249 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-015-1731-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-015-1731-9

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