Title: Quantifying the effect of construction site factors on concrete compressive strength using designed experiments

Authors: Jorge L. Santamaria; Vanessa Valentin; Gabriel Huerta

Addresses: Central University of Ecuador, School of Civil Engineering, Quito, 170521, Ecuador ' University of New Mexico, Department of Civil Engineering, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA ' University of New Mexico, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA

Abstract: Both structured and unstructured factors affect concrete compressive strength. Structured factors, e.g., raw materials, affect concrete production. Unstructured factors, e.g., local conditions, affect concrete quality during the construction phase. The effects of structured factors on concrete metrics are well understood, while there is limited understanding on the effects of unstructured factors. A full 2⁵ factorial design was conducted to quantify the effect of five construction site factors including crew experience, compaction method, mixing time, curing humidity and curing temperature. A linear regression model was developed considering significant affecting factors. Model adequacy was evaluated through residual plots. The results indicate that compaction method, mixing time, curing humidity and curing temperature affect concrete compressive strength significantly, with curing temperature having the highest percent contribution (50.0%). The final regression model was used to create a decision-support tool that enables construction workers to find operating conditions and take corrective actions to preserve concrete quality.

Keywords: concrete; construction site factors; unstructured factors; compressive strength; prediction model; operating conditions.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEDPO.2019.097466

International Journal of Experimental Design and Process Optimisation, 2019 Vol.6 No.1, pp.26 - 49

Received: 09 Jun 2018
Accepted: 06 Sep 2018
Published online: 23 Jan 2019 *

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