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The purpose of this paper is to implement the mathematical models to predict concretes physico-mechanical characteristics made with binary and ternary sands using a mixture design method. It is a new technique that optimizes mixtures without being obliged to do a lot of experiments. The goal is to find the law governing the responses depending on mixture composition and capable of taking into account the effect of each parameter separately and in interaction between several parameters on the characteristics studied.

Mixture design method was used for optimizing concretes characteristics and studying the effects of river sand (RS), dune sand (DS) and crushed sand (CS) in combinations of binary system and ternary on workability, the compressive and flexural strengths of concretes at 7 and 28 days. A total of 21 mixtures of concrete were prepared for this investigation. The modeling was carried out by using JMP7 statistical software.

Mixture design method made it possible to obtain, with good precision, the statistical models and the prediction curves of studied responses. The models have relatively good correlation coefficients (R² = 0.70) for all studied responses. The use of binary and ternary mixtures sands improves the workability and their mechanical strengths. The obtained results proved that concrete, based on binary mixture C15, presents the maximum compressive strength (MCS) on 28 day with an improvement of around 20%, compared to reference concrete (C21). For ternary mixtures, MCS on 28 day was obtained for the mixture C10 with an improvement of around 15% compared to C21. Increase in compressive strength during the progress of hydration reactions was accompanied by an increase in the flexural strength, but in different proportions.

The partial incorporation of DS (= 40%) in the concrete formulation can provide a solution for some work in the southern regions of country. In addition, the CS is an interesting alternative source for replacing 60% of RS. The concrete formulation based on local materials is really capable of solving the economic and technical problems encountered in the building field, as well as environmental problems. Local resources therefore constitute an economic, technological and environmental alternative.

The purpose of this study is to contribute with experimental study of the effects of binary and ternary combinations of river sand (RS), crushed sand (CS) and dune sand (DS) on the physical and mechanical performances of self-compacting concrete (SCC) subjected to acidic curing environments, HCl and H₂SO₄ solutions.

Five SCCs were prepared with the combinations 100% RS, 0.8RS + 0.2CS, 0.6RS + 0.2CS + 0.2DS, 0.6RS + 0.4DS and 0.6CS + 0.4DS. The porosity of sand, fluidity, deformability, stability, compressive strength and sorptivity coefficient were tested. SCCs cubic specimens with a side length of 10 cm were submerged in HCl and H₂SO₄ acids, wherein the concentration was 5%, for periods of 28, 90 and 180 days. The resistance to acid attack was evaluated by visual examination, mass loss and compressive strength loss.

The results showed that it is possible to partially substitute the RS with CS and DS in the SCC, without strongly affecting the fluidity, deformability, stability, compressive strength and durability against HCl and H₂SO₄ attack. The two combinations, 0.8RS + 0.2CS and 0.6RS + 0.2CS + 0.2DS, improved the compactness and the resistance to acid attacks of SCC. Consequently, the improvement in SCC compactness, by the combination of RS, CS and DS, decreased the sorptivity coefficient of SCC and increased its resistance to acid attacks, in comparison with that made only by RS.

The use of RS is experiencing a considerable increase in line with the development of the country. To satisfy this demand, it is necessary to substitute this sand with other materials more abundant. The use of locally available materials is a very effective way to protect the environment, improve the physico-mechanical properties and durability of SCC and it can be a beneficial economical alternative. Few studies have addressed the effect of the binary and ternary combination of RS, CS and DS on the resistance to acid attacks of SCC.

The purpose of this paper is to present the modeling of statistical variation of experimental data using the design of experiments method to optimize the formulation of a high performance concrete (HPC) using materials that are locally available in Algeria. For this, two mineral additions (natural pozzolana and limestone filler [LF]) were used. Both additions are added by substitution of cement up to 25%. To better appreciate the effect of replacing a part of cement by natural pozzolana and LF and to optimize their combined effect on the characteristics of HPC, an effective analytical method is therefore needed to reach the required objective.

The experimental part of the study consisted of substituting a portion of cement by various proportions of these additions to assess their effects on the physico-mechanical characteristics of HPC. A mixture design with three factors and five levels was carried out. The JMP7 software was used to provide mathematical models for the statistical variation of measured values and to perform a statistical analysis. These models made it possible to show the contribution of the three factors and their interactions in the variation of the response.

The mixture design approach made it possible to visualize the influence of LF and pozzolanic filler (PF) on the physico-mechanical characteristics of HPC, the developed models present good correlation coefficients (R² = 0.82) for all studied responses. The obtained results indicated that it is quite possible to substitute a part of cement with LF and PF in the formulation of a HPC. Thanks to the complementary effect between the two additions, the workability could be improved and the strengths drop could be avoided in the short, medium and long term. The optimization of mixture design factors based on the mathematical models was carried out to select the appropriate factors combinations; a good agreement between the experimental results and the predicted results was obtained.

The coefficient of PF in Cs₂₈ model is closer to that of LF than in Cs₇ model, thanks to the complementary effect between LF and PF at the age of 28 days. It was found that the optimal HPC14 concrete (10%LF–5%PF) provides the best compromise between the three responses. It is also worth noting that the use of these two local materials can reduce the manufacturing costs of HPC and reduce carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere. This can be an important economic and environmental alternative.

This paper aims to study the effect of mineral additions on the mortars’ physical, mechanical and durability properties. Two local mineral additions, considered inert, are chosen: limestone fillers from North-East of Algeria and natural dune sand from Algerian desert areas.

Two local additions are finely crushed to a fineness greater or equal to that of the used cement and incorporated into the mortars with predetermined rates; (0, 10%, 15% and 20%) compared to the cement weight to examine their effects on the mortars’ properties at different ages. Two conservation environments are chosen: freshwater as a neutral area and rising water table as an aggressive area to appreciate the effect of the two additions on physical and mechanical properties and durability.

The results showed the beneficial effect of these additions on compactness, mechanical resistance and durability toward the rising water table. The results have also allowed us to make an experimental comparison between the limestone addition which is commonly used in the Algerian cement industry and the dune sand, which is not yet well explored and exploited.

The added value of this study is the use of crushed dune sand which is a local addition of southern Algeria for improving the resistance of mortars and concrete toward the aggressiveness of rising water table which presents a major problem for the infrastructure of civil and public construction.