Influential factor analysis of slag-based engineered cementitious composites using Taguchi robust method

ABSTRACT

This study presents experimental and analytical investigations of the mechanical properties and cracking patterns of slag-based engineered cementitious composites (S-ECCs) incorporating polyethylene fiber (PE). The Taguchi robust design (TRD) method was adopted to design the variables and systematically analyze the results. Various factors including slag, crumb rubber particles, water, and PE fiber contents were considered to evaluate the positive and negative influences on compressive strength, tensile properties, and cracking patterns of S-ECCs. In the experimental results, most of the composites showed highly ductile behavior. Amounts of crumb rubber particles and water were two prominent factors that had strong influences on the mechanical properties of S-ECCs. An analytical model based on multiple regression analysis for obtaining high-strength and high-ductility S-ECCs provided best-performing S-ECC mixture and differences between the experimental and predicted values were less than 5%.

KEYWORDS:

• Engineered cementitious composite
• PE fiber
• mechanical property
• Optimization
• Taguchi robust design

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

All datasets generated during this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

The work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea government (MSIT) [2022R1A2C2003539 and 2022R1A4A1033838].