Optimisation of quinary blended supplementary cementitious material for eco-friendly paving unit using taguchi orthogonal array design

Abstract

Due to the considerable amount of carbon dioxide emissions accompanied by cement production, there is an increasing need for blending cement with Supplementary Cementitious Materials (SCMs). The utilisation of SCMs as cement blended limits the dependence on cement. This research aimed to optimise selected SCMs contents in different binding mixtures for the interlocking paving unit using the Taguchi Experimental Design method. The compressive strength of the paving unit containing the quinary blend SCMs at curing ages of 7, 28, and 56-day was conducted, and the results were analysed with Minitab for optimisation of the process variables to enhance compressive strength. The Signal to Noise ratio analysis showed that the optimum percentage for calcite, metakaolin, glass powder, lime powder, and quarry powder in the mix design for concrete paving blocks was 10, 0, 0, 5, 5. Similarly, the analysis of the mean confirmed the same optimum combination of 10% calcite, 0% metakaolin, 0% glass powder, 5% quarry powder and 5% lime powder. This experimental finding will promote and ease the use of supplementary materials for sustainable construction in the interlocking paving unit.