Journal of Emerging Trends in Engineering and Applied Sciences: Research Areas

Article Title: Optimization of the Compressive Strength of Mound Soil-Cement Blended Concrete using Design Expert 7.01
by Egbele, Williams and Orie, Ogheneale

Abstract:
Mix proportion parameters of concrete were analyzed by using the 2-Level factorial method to optimize the compressive strength of a recommended concrete mix made with a mound soil-cement blended paste as a binder. Five control factors: contents of coarse aggregate, fine aggregate, cement, mound soil and water were used. An experimental design matrix was formulated by using Design Expert 7.01 software. The randomized experimental design in addition to the experimentally obtained values of the response variable (compressive strength at 7 and 28 days) determined. The best possible levels of mix proportions was determined and tested for compressive strength. A mathematical model which predicts the compressive strength of mound soil-cement blended concrete was obtained. The result of the response function showed that optimal value of the compressive strength 32.36 N/mm2, compared favorably with the corresponding experimentally determined result of 33.78N/mm2.The predictions from the model were tested for adequacy using the statistical Goodness of fit and were found to be adequate at 95% confidence level. The optimum compressive strength of concrete at 28days was found to 32.36N/mm2. This strength correspond to a mix value of 8.24kg of cement, 21.96kg of sand, 43.73kg of granite,0.55kg of mound and 5.57kg of water, i.e. mix ratio 1:2.5:5:0.07:0.6. Mound soil concrete has been shown to be used as a construction material.

Keywords: mound soil, optimization, construction material, compressive strength and concrete.

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