Optimisation of Mix Proportioning of Self-Compacting Concrete using Heuristic Search

Abstract

The quality of concrete construction mainly depends on the factors like concrete constituents, degree of supervision, method of curing, etc. Hitherto, one of the most influencing factors is the mix design or proportioning that contributes major parts directly to the quality of finished product. Unlike conventional concrete the mix proportion of Self-Compacting Concrete or Self-Consolidating Concrete (SCC) is complex since it incorporates special concrete chemicals such as Viscosity Modifying Agent (VMA), Air Entraining Agent (AEA), and so on, that tends to alter the workability and other properties of concrete and moreover it has no standard procedures and is generally carried out by trial and error method. This research seeks to develop a rational methodology for optimal mix proportion strategy for SCC based on the standard tests on SCC such as V-funnel and J-ring test conducted in the concrete laboratory in controlled environment as per EFNARC 2005 standard guidelines. The test results are incorporated for computer simulation and using a Heuristic Search Algorithms, the optimum mix proportioning of SCC for different admixtures are obtained.