Exploring fly ash concrete mixtures using neural networks

What is it about?

Fossil fuels are still being used as a source of electricity around the world, producing a lot of waste, like fly ash. Original portland cement (OPC) is the most commonly used cement. Fly ash is an excellent replacement for OPC because of its durability and mechanical properties. Moreover, it has good chemical properties. But, more research is required to use it efficiently in engineering materials, like cement, without changing its properties. In this study, authors explored the relationship between concrete mix compositions and their strengths. The authors used a predictive model called automated neural network search (ANS) for the research. It can optimize the amount of fly ash to be included in the concrete mix to produce structural grade concrete used to build bridges and flyovers.

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Photo by Pavel Danilov on Unsplash

Photo by Pavel Danilov on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Large amounts of greenhouse emissions come from the production of OPC. Fly ash can replace up to 30 to 40% of OPC, reducing greenhouse emissions. It can also reduce the waste produced by coal combustion. Additionally, it will have a good economic impact on the construction sector. The ANS model was reliable and accurate in predicting the strength of the concrete mix. It could capture the complex relationship between the concrete mix compositions and their strengths. KEY TAKEAWAY: The ANS model successfully predicted the strength of different fly ash mixed concrete compositions for the first time. The predictions agree with the experimental data. Therefore, it can predict the mix compositions for structural grade concrete.