Prioritisation of self-curing self-compacting mortars with hydrophilic chemicals using MCDM techniques

Abstract

Decision making becomes complex and challenging when a wide range of alternatives and conflicting criteria are involved in the problem. Selection of an ideal repair material is one such problem. Self-curing compounds namely polyethylene glycol (PEG) inhibits the evaporation of internal water in mortar mixes. In this study, a set of Self-Compacting mortar mixes Mix A (1 : 1) and Mix B (1 : 3) with varying dosages of PEG4000 and PEG200 (0.1%, 0.5% and 1%) by mass of cement is studied. Slump flow, V funnel time, compressive strength, sorptivity coefficient and Acid Durability Loss factor were the specific criteria considered in applying MCDM techniques (TOPSIS and PSI) to arrive at best mix proportion among different mortar mix alternatives. Among the alternatives, it was observed that the Mix A (1 : 1) with 1% dosage of PEG4000 (AH-1 mix), was observed to be the best alternative mortar.