Establishing an Innovative User-Friendly Expert System for Design of Mixing Ratios of Self-Compacting Concrete

Over the past twenty years, there has been significant diversification and advancement in the quality of construction materials. A notable contribution is the evolution of self-compacting concrete which has, however, magnified the complexity of designing mixtures for such materials. The maj or challenge lies in determining the proportions of each ingredient and their respective impact on material properties and efficacy in construction. To address these complexities, this study introduces an expert, user-friendly graphical interface software for designing the mix proportions of self-compacting concrete. The software assimilates data specific to this type of concrete and devises empirical models to correlate its performance metrics, such as strength and workability, with the volume fractions (ratios) of its constituents. Additionally, a nonlinear optimization module is incorporated, utilizing multi-objective functions with specified lower and upper bounds, as well as linear and nonlinear constraints. The software has been subjected to calibration and validation processes using various self-compacting concrete formulations. Ultimately, it offers a solution that is quick, simple, and cost-effective to serve as a useful and valuable resource for students and practicing engineers involved in the design of mix proportions of self-compacting concrete.