Characterization of Taguchi optimized fiber reinforced copper slag concrete composites with strength properties

Abstract Establishing the ideal design has always been a difficulty for concrete engineers because of the inclusion of many alternative construction materials particularly when dealing with the incorporation of slag elements and fibers in concrete mix design. In this study, the Taguchi optimization method is implemented to predict the optimal mix design of fiber reinforced copper slag aggregate concrete (FRCSC) with mechanical strength properties. For this purpose, different parameters influencing mechanical strength were defined based on the available literature. The Taguchi approach was subsequently applied to develop an orthogonal array of parameters, and experimental tests were carried out in accordance with the suggested design array to acquire experimental data for each and every strength property. Three major influencing parameters like fiber length (FL), fiber percentage (FP), and copper slag content (CS) were considered in order to get optimal mix design for FRCSC. Analysis of variance was also employed to evaluate the effective factors on compressive, split-tensile, flexural, water absorption and void content properties for FRCSC. It was found that the proposed method was effective in finding the optimal mixture design from strength point of FRCSC and the experimental results indicated a significant improvement in five selected strength properties of FRCSC. From the results of Taguchi analysis, it can be concluded that, for five selected strength properties, 60% CS + 1% of fiber + 20 mm of fiber length is the optimal mix design combination for FRCSC. Finally, physical and microstructural characterization through FESEM and EDX were carried out to have a closer justification for the test results.