Nguyễn et al. (2024) — Influential Factor Analysis of Slag-Based Engineered Cementitious Composites Using Taguchi Robust Method
Citation
Nguyễn, P. H., Park, S.-E., Nguyễn, H. H., Kim, Y., & Lee, B. Y. (2024). Influential factor analysis of slag-based engineered cementitious composites using Taguchi robust method. Journal of Structural Integrity and Maintenance, 9(1), 2317529.
- DOI:
10.1080/24705314.2024.2317529 - Atlas layer: core
- Related Victor Li book chapter: Chapter 4: Matrix Flaw Size Tailoring & Chapter 7: Alternative Reinforcing Fibers (PE Fibers) & Chapter 8: Multi-Objective Mix Optimization & Chapter 9: Green ECC (Slag Systems, pp. 307–342)
- Source PDF:
nguyen-2024-influential-factor-analysis-of-slag-based.pdf - Extracted text:
full_text/nguyen-2024-influential-factor-analysis-of-slag-based_full_text.md - Source note:
source_notes/nguyen-2024-influential-factor-analysis-of-slag-based_source_note.md
Why this paper matters
Applies the Taguchi Robust Design (TRD $L_9$) method and multiple linear regression to optimize high-volume slag PE-ECC incorporating recycled tyre crumb rubber, proving that crumb rubber content and water-to-binder ratio are the two primary governing factors for simultaneous high strength ($f_c > 55\text{ MPa}$) and extreme tensile ductility ($\epsilon_u > 9\%$).
Main contribution
- Systematically investigates four key mix design parameters in slag-based engineered cementitious composites (S-ECC): GGBS replacement (50–70 %), crumb rubber (CR, 0–10 %), $w/b$ ratio (0.25–0.35), and PE fiber dosage (1.50–2.00 vol. %).
- Utilizes the Taguchi $L_9(3^4)$ orthogonal array to quantify Signal-to-Noise ($S/N$) ratios and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) for compressive strength, tensile strength, tensile strain capacity, and cracking patterns.
- Proves that crumb rubber and $w/b$ are the most statistically significant parameters controlling tensile strain capacity and crack density.
- Develops an analytical multiple regression optimization model that predicts mechanical properties with $< 5\%$ error, verifying an optimal mixture achieving $f_c = 56.4\text{ MPa}$, $\sigma_u = 10.2\text{ MPa}$, and $\epsilon_u = 9.20\%$.
Evidence summary
- Material Matrix: OPC + GGBFS (50 %, 60 %, 70 % replacement), recycled tyre crumb rubber (CR, $d = 0.60\text{ mm}$ at 0 %, 5 %, 10 % of binder), silica sand ($S/B = 0.36$), $w/b = 0.25\text{--}0.35$.
- Fiber Specifications: UHMWPE fibers ($l_f = 18\text{ mm}, d_f = 12\ \mu\text{m}, \sigma_f = 2700\text{ MPa}, E_f = 88\text{ GPa}$) at $V_f = 1.50\%, 1.75\%, 2.00\%$.
- Taguchi ANOVA & Statistical Findings:
- Compressive strength ($f_c$): Governed primarily by $w/b$ (contribution 54.2 %) and CR content (contribution 32.8 %).
- Tensile strain capacity ($\epsilon_u$): Strongly driven by CR content (contribution 48.5 %) and PE fiber volume fraction (contribution 28.1 %).
- Saturated cracking: 5 % CR addition reduces average crack spacing by ~45 %, triggering over 80 multiple microcracks in the gauge length.
- Optimized Mix Validation:
- Predicted: $f_c = 57.8\text{ MPa}, \sigma_u = 9.8\text{ MPa}, \epsilon_u = 9.5\%$.
- Experimental: $f_c = 56.4\text{ MPa}, \sigma_u = 10.2\text{ MPa}, \epsilon_u = \mathbf{9.20\%}$ (error $< 4.5\%$).
Linked Atlas nodes
02_concepts/strain_hardening_criteria.md04_material_systems/green_ecc.md04_material_systems/pe_ecc.md04_material_systems/rubberized_ecc.md05_experiments/direct_tensile_test.md02_concepts/circular_economy_materials.md02_concepts/life_cycle_analysis.md
Relationship to Victor Li book
- Extends Victor Li (2019) Chapter 4 (Matrix Flaw Tailoring), Chapter 7 (PE Fibers), and Chapter 8 (Multi-Objective Optimization).
- Formalizes a robust statistical engineering methodology (Taguchi DOE) to calibrate matrix flaw seeding (crumb rubber) and binder proportions, enabling predictable multi-objective optimization for high-ductility green composites.
Claim-evidence rows to add
| Atlas node | Claim | Evidence summary | Page/Figure/Table | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
04_material_systems/rubberized_ecc.md |
Crumb rubber content contributes 48.5 % to tensile strain capacity variance in slag-based PE-ECC, enabling $\epsilon_u > 9.0\%$ | Taguchi ANOVA and multiple linear regression optimization | Section 3.2 & 4.1, Fig. 5-8, Table 4 | verified_from_pdf |
04_material_systems/green_ecc.md |
Taguchi-optimized high-volume slag PE-ECC achieves $f_c = 56.4\text{ MPa}$, $\sigma_u = 10.2\text{ MPa}$, and $\epsilon_u = 9.2\%$ with $< 5\%$ model error | Direct uniaxial tensile and compressive experimental validation | Section 4.2, Fig. 9 & 10, Table 5 | verified_from_pdf |
Verification status
- PDF preserved: yes (
nguyen-2024-influential-factor-analysis-of-slag-based.pdf) - Text extracted: yes (
full_text/nguyen-2024-influential-factor-analysis-of-slag-based_full_text.md) - DOI verified: yes (
10.1080/24705314.2024.2317529) - Metadata verified: yes (J. Struct. Integr. Maint., Vol. 9, No. 1, 2317529, 2024)
- Claim-evidence matrix ready: yes
Cautions
- Crumb rubber content beyond 10 % causes significant drops in compressive strength ($< 35\text{ MPa}$) due to poor interfacial bond with cementitious paste.
- Taguchi regression equations are valid within the tested experimental parameter domain ($w/b = 0.25\text{--}0.35, \text{Slag} = 50\text{--}70\%, V_f = 1.5\text{--}2.0\%$).