Predicting the Compressive Strength of UHPFRC Using Machine Learning and Soft Computing Models: Optimization of Fiber Content and Additives

Zanyar Qadir AHMED, Sewa Soran OTHMAN, Ahmed Salih MOHAMMED, A.M.T. HASSAN, Panagiotis G. ASTERIS

Abstract


Ultra-high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) is a relatively new material known for its superior mechanical properties, particularly its compressive strength (CS), making it suitable for advanced structural applications. Traditional experimental methods for predicting CS are time-consuming and costly. In this study, a dataset of 276 samples with 12 input parameters was compiled from existing literature to develop predictive analytical models. The input variables include cement, sand, water, superplasticizer, silica fume, fiber content, water–binder ratio, water–cement ratio, curing age, fiber aspect ratio, temperature, and fiber volume. The reported CS values range from 90 to 186 MPa. Five modeling techniques—Linear Regression (LR), Log Base Regression (LBR), Nonlinear Regression (NLR), M5P-tree, and Artificial Neural Network (ANN)—were employed to predict the compressive strength of UHPFRC. Among these models, ANN demonstrated the highest prediction accuracy across all evaluation criteria, followed by the M5P-tree model. Residual error analysis confirmed that the ANN produced the lowest prediction error. Sensitivity analysis revealed that temperature, curing age, and superplasticizer content significantly influence CS. Optimization results indicated that a fiber content between 2.05% and 2.09% yields maximum compressive strength. These findings provide valuable insights for optimizing UHPFRC mix design using machine learning approaches.

Keywords


Ultra-High-Performance; Fiber-Reinforced Concrete; Compressive Strength; Superplasticizer; Soft Computing Models

Full Text:

PDF

References


- B.A. Graybeal, Compressive behavior of ultra-high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete. ACI Mater. J., 104(2) (2007) 146–152. https://doi.org/10.14359/18577

- B.A. Tayeh, B.H. Abu Bakar, M.A. Megat Johari, Y.L. Voo, Utilization of ultra-high performance fibre concrete (UHPFC) for rehabilitation – A review. Procedia Eng., 54 (2013) 525–538. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2013.03.048

- A.M. Neville, Properties of concrete (5th ed.). Pearson Education Limited (2011).

- C.M. Tam, V.W. Tam, K.M. Ng, Assessing drying shrinkage and water permeability of reactive powder concrete produced in Hong Kong. Constr. Build. Mater., 26(1) (2012) 79–89. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2011.05.006

- AFGC-SETRA, Ultra high performance fibre-reinforced concretes: Interim recommendations. Bagneux, France: SETRA (2002).

- Z. Rong, W. Sun, Experimental and numerical investigation on the dynamic tensile behavior of ultra-high performance cement based composites. Constr. Build. Mater., 31 (2012) 168–173. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2011.12.058

- Y. Zhang, W. Sun, S. Li, C. Ji, J. Li, Preparation of C200 green reactive powder concrete and its static–dynamic behaviors. Cem. Concr. Compos., 30(9) (2008) 831–838. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2008.06.008

- S. Pyo, S. El-Tawil, Capturing the strain hardening and softening responses of cementitious composites subjected to impact loading. Constr. Build. Mater., 81 (2015) 276–283. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2015.02.028

- L. Mao, S.J. Barnett, A. Tyas, J. Warren, G.K. Schleyer, S.S. Zaini, Response of small scale ultra high performance fibre reinforced concrete slabs to blast loading. Constr. Build. Mater., 93 (2015) 822–830. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2015.05.085

- S.G. Millard, T.C.K. Molyneaux, S.J. Barnett, X. Gao, Dynamic enhancement of blast-resistant ultra high performance fibre-reinforced concrete under flexural and shear loading. Int. J. Impact Eng., 37(4) (2010) 405–413. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijimpeng.2009.09.004

- D.Y. Yoo, S.W. Kim, J.J. Park, Comparative flexural behavior of ultra-high-performance concrete reinforced with hybrid straight steel fibers. Constr. Build. Mater., 132 (2017) 219–229. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2016.11.104

- M.H. Akeed, S. Qaidi, H.U. Ahmed, A.R.G. Azevedo et al., Ultra-high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete. Part I: Developments, principles, raw materials. Case Stud. Constr. Mater., 17 (2022) e01290. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscm.2022.e01290

- D.Y. Yoo, N. Banthia, S.T. Kang, Y.S. Yoon, Effect of fiber orientation on the rate-dependent flexural behavior of ultra-high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete. Compos. Struct., 157 (2016) 62–70. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruct.2016.08.023

- F. Boscaro, M. Palacios, R.J. Flatt, Formulation of low clinker blended cements and concrete with enhanced fresh and hardened properties. Cem. Concr. Res., 150 (2021) 106605. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2021.106605

- L. Wang, Y. Ma, L. Li, Uncovering the role of superplasticizer in developing nano-engineered ultra-high-performance concrete. Front. Mater., 10 (2023) 1177189. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmats.2023.1177189

- A.K.H. Kwan, I.Y.T. Ng, Improving performance and robustness of SCC by adding supplementary cementitious materials. Constr. Build. Mater., 24(11) (2010) 2260–2266. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2010.04.030

- L. Wang, M.M. Jin, F.X. Guo, Y. Wang, S. Tang, Pore structural and fractal analysis of the influence of fly ash and silica fume on the mechanical property and abrasion resistance of concrete. Fractals, 29(02) (2021) 2140003. https://doi.org/10.1142/s0218348x2140003x

- A.M. Tahwia, Performance of ultra-high performance fiber reinforced concrete at high temperatures. Int. J. Eng. Innov. Technol., 6(10) (2017) 1–7.

- A.A. Abadel, M.I. Khan, R. Masmoudi, Influence of elevated temperature on the engineering properties of ultra-high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete. Materials, 16(15) (2023) 5366. https://doi.org/10.2478/msp-2023-0010

- M.R. Esfahani, A.A. Youssef, Machine learning for durability and service-life assessment of reinforced concrete structures: Recent advances and future directions. Autom. Constr., 77 (2017) 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2017.01.016

- Z. Xu, Y.Z. Zhang, J.Y. Liu, M.F. Ma, Sustainable concrete with improved performance using a new type of high-efficiency superplasticizer. Nat. Mater., 21(8) (2022) 876–884.

- T. Shafighfard, F. Kazemi, N. Asgarkhani, D.Y. Yoo, Machine-learning methods for estimating compressive strength of high-performance alkali-activated concrete. Eng. Appl. Artif. Intell., 136 (2024) 109053. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engappai.2024.109053

- J.H. Garrett, Where and why artificial neural networks are applicable in civil engineering. J. Comput. Civ. Eng., 8(2) (1994) 129–130.

- M.Y. Rafiq, G. Bugmann, D.J. Easterbrook, Neural network design for engineering applications. Comput. Struct., 79(17) (2001) 1541–1552. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0045-7949(01)00039-6

- J.R. Quinlan, Learning with continuous classes. Proc. 5th Aust. Jt. Conf. Artif. Intell., (1992) 343–348.

- Y. Wang, I.H. Witten, Induction of model trees for predicting continuous classes. University of Waikato (1996).

- M.H. Abdallah, Z.A. Thoeny, S.N. Henedy, N.M. Al-Abdaly, H. Imran, L.F.A. Bernardo et al., The machine-learning-based prediction of the punching shear capacity of reinforced concrete flat slabs: An advanced M5P model tree approach. Appl. Sci., 13(14) (2023) 8325. https://doi.org/10.3390/app13148325

- V. Corinaldesi, G. Moriconi, Mechanical and thermal evaluation of ultra-high-performance fiber-reinforced concretes for engineering applications. Constr. Build. Mater., 26(1) (2012) 289–294. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2011.06.023

- C. Magureanu, I. Sosa, C. Negrutiu, B. Heghes, Physical and mechanical properties of ultra high strength fiber reinforced cementitious composites. Fract. Mech. Concr. Concr. Struct., Korea Concrete Institute (2010) 1497-1491.

- F.R. Karim, B.H. Abu Bakar, K. Choong, O.Q. Aziz, Influence of cement and glass powder on the compressive strength of ultra-high-performance concrete. Int. J. Eng. Trends Technol., 35(6) (2016) 243–246. https://doi.org/10.14445/22315381/IJETT-V35P252

- Z. Wu, C. Shi, W. He, L. Wu, Effects of steel fiber content and shape on mechanical properties of ultra-high-performance concrete. Constr. Build. Mater., 106 (2016) 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2015.11.028

- D.Y. Yoo, S.T. Kang, Y.S. Yoon, Effect of fiber length and placement method on flexural behavior, tension-softening curve, and fiber distribution characteristics of UHPFRC. Constr. Build. Mater., 64 (2014) 67–81. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2014.04.007

- Q. Song, R. Yu, Z. Shui, X. Wang, S. Rao, Z. Lin, Optimization of fibre orientation and distribution for a sustainable Ultra-High Performance Fibre Reinforced Concrete (UHPFRC): Experiments and mechanism analysis. Constr. Build. Mater., 169 (2018) 8–19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.02.130

- A.M.T. Hassan, G.H. Mahmud, A.S. Mohammed, S.W. Jones, The influence of normal curing temperature on the compressive strength development and flexural tensile behaviour of UHPFRC with Vipulanandan model quantification. Structures, 30 (2021) 949–959. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.istruc.2021.02.027

- B.A. Graybeal, Material property characterization of ultra-high performance concrete. Fed. Highw. Admin. Rep., FHWA-HRT-06-103 (2006).

- A.M.T. Hassan, S.W. Jones, G.H. Mahmud, Experimental test methods to determine the uniaxial tensile and compressive behaviour of ultra-high-performance fibre reinforced concrete (UHPFRC). Constr. Build. Mater., 37 (2012) 874–882. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2012.04.030

- G.D. Ashkezari, F. Fotouhi, M. Razmara, Experimental relationships between steel fiber volume fraction and mechanical properties of ultra-high performance fiber-reinforced concrete. J. Build. Eng., 32 (2020) 101613. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2020.101613

- R. Aghayari, A.O. AL-Mwanes, An experimental investigation of mechanical properties of the ultra-high performance fiber reinforced concrete (UHPFRC). Int. J. Civil Eng. Technol., 10(2) (2019) 1172–1182.

- L. Jin, R. Zhang, Y. Tian, G. Dou, X. Du, Experimental investigation on static and dynamic mechanical properties of steel fiber reinforced ultra-high-strength concretes. Constr. Build. Mater., 178 (2018) 102–111. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.05.152

- P.R. Prem, B.H. Bharatkumar, N.R. Iyer, Influence of curing regimes on compressive strength of ultra high performance concrete. Sadhana, 38(6) (2013) 1421–1431.

- W. Meng, K.H. Khayat, Effect of hybrid fibers on fresh properties, mechanical properties, and autogenous shrinkage of cost-effective UHPC. J. Mater. Civ. Eng., 30(4) (2018) 04018030. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0002212

- S. Ahmad, I. Hakeem, A.K. Azad, Effect of curing, fibre content, and exposures on compressive strength and elasticity of UHPC. Adv. Cem. Res., 27(4) (2015) 233–239. https://doi.org/10.1680/adcr.13.00090

- R. Sovják, P. Máca, T. Imlauf, Effect of fibre aspect ratio and fibre volume fraction on the effective fracture energy of ultra-high-performance fibre-reinforced concrete. Acta Polytech., 56(4) (2016) 319–327. https://doi.org/10.14311/AP.2016.56.0319

- A.M. Yousef, A.M. Tahwia, N.A. Marami, Minimum shear reinforcement for ultra-high performance fiber reinforced concrete deep beams. Constr. Build. Mater., 184 (2018) 177–185. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.06.003

- S. Ahmad, I. Hakeem, M. Maslehuddin, Development of UHPC mixtures utilizing natural and industrial waste materials as partial replacements of silica fume and sand. Sci. World J., 2014 (2014) 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/657020

- H. Bahmani, D. Mostofinejad, S.A. Dadvar, Effects of synthetic fibers and different levels of partial cement replacement on mechanical properties of UHPFRC. J. Mater. Civ. Eng., 32(12) (2020) 04020361.

- A.O. Al-Mwanes, R. Agayari, Studying the effect of hybrid fibers and silica fumes on mechanical properties of Ultra-High-Performance Concrete. IOP Conf. Ser.: Mater. Sci. Eng., 1076(1) (2021) 012128. https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/1076/1/012128

- M.F.M. Zain, S.M. Abd, Multiple regression model for compressive strength prediction of high-performance concrete. J. Appl. Sci., 9 (2009) 155–160. https://doi.org/10.3923/jas.2009.155.160

- A. Salih, S. Rafq, P. Sihag, K. Ghafor, W. Mahmood, W. Sarwar, Systematic multiscale models to predict the effect of high-volume fly ash on the maximum compression stress of cement-based mortar at various water/cement ratios and curing times. Measurement, 171 (2021) 108819. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.measurement.2020.108819

- A. Alsalman, C.N. Dang, G.S. Prinz, W.M. Hale, Evaluation of modulus of elasticity of ultra-high performance concrete. Constr. Build. Mater., 153 (2017) 918–928. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.07.158

- S.L. Yang, S.G. Millard, M.N. Soutsos, S.J. Barnett, T.T. Le, Influence of aggregate and curing regime on the mechanical properties of ultra-high performance fibre reinforced concrete (UHPFRC). Constr. Build. Mater., 23(6) (2009) 2291–2298. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2008.11.012

- A. Kooshkaki, H. Eskandari-Naddaf, Effect of porosity on predicting compressive and flexural strength of cement mortar containing micro and nano-silica by multi-objective ANN modeling. Constr. Build. Mater., 212 (2019) 176-191. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.03.243

- P.G. Asteris, M. Apostolopoulou, D.J. Armaghani, L. Cavaleri et al., On the metaheuristic models for the prediction of cement-metakaolin mortars compressive strength. Appl. Sci., 10(11) (2020) 3935.

- M.H. Akeed, S. Qaidi, H.U. Ahmed, W. Emad et al., Ultra-high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete. Part III: Fresh and hardened properties. Case Stud. Constr. Mater., 17 (2022) e01265. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscm.2022.e01290

- T. Amemiya, Non-linear regression models. Handb. Econom., 1 (1983) 333-389. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1573-4412(83)01010-7

- A. Oltean, Mihai, A-Brain: a general system for solving data analysis problems. J. Exp. Theor. Artif. Intell., 19 (2007) 333–353. https://doi.org/10.1080/09528130701416835

- J.R. Quinlan, Learning with continuous classes. 5th Aust. Jt. Conf. Artif. Intell., (1992) 343-348.

- R. Qamar, B. Zardari, Artificial Neural Networks: An Overview. Mesopotamian J. Comput. Sci., 2023 (2023) 130–139. https://doi.org/10.58496/MJCSC/2023/015

- N.S. Piro, A.S. Mohammed, S.M. Hamad, The impact of GGBS and ferrous on the flow of electrical current and compressive strength of concrete. Constr. Build. Mater., 349 (2022) 128639. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.128639

- A. Abdalla, A. Salih, Microstructure and chemical characterizations with soft computing models to evaluate the influence of calcium oxide and silicon dioxide in the fly ash and cement kiln dust on the compressive strength of cement mortar. Resour. Conserv. Recycl. Adv., 15 (2022) 200090. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rcradv.2022.200090

- W. Emad, A.S. Mohammed, R. Kurda, K. Ghafor et al., Prediction of concrete materials compressive strength using surrogate models. Structures, 46 (2022) 1243–1267. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.istruc.2022.10.004

- D.K. Bzeni, Investigating the influence of fiber content and geometry on the flexural response of fiber-reinforced cementitious composites. J. Compos. Sci., 8(9) (2024) 347. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs8090347


Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Bookmark and Share


Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

ISSN 2170-127X

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Based on a work at http://revue.ummto.dz.