Application of Taguchi approach in the investigation of thermal insulation aggregate influence

Abstract

This study aims to optimize the performance in terms of compressive strength, split tensile strength, and modulus of elasticity of concrete (as three responses) using three different thermal insulation aggregates (as factors) by conducting a comprehensive experimental program. This study employed the standard L16 Taguchi orthogonal array using light expanded clay, exfoliated vermiculite and expanded polystyrene aggregate as three factors at four levels. The influence of each factor (thermal insulation aggregates) on each optimum response was evaluated through the Taguchi method along with Analysis of variance (ANOVA) analysis. Statistical analyses indicated that light expanded clay is the dominant aggregate influencing the compressive strength, exfoliated vermiculite is the dominant aggregate influencing the split tensile strength and expanded polystyrene is the dominant aggregate influencing the modulus of elasticity. Using the Taguchi method, compressive strength, split tensile strength, and modulus of elasticity were optimized with fewer trail mixes. Moreover, the confirmation investigations demonstrated that Taguchi and regression models could predict the compressive strength (COS), split tensile strength(STS), and modulus of elasticity (MOE) within the experimental range.