Calculation of the content of dry building mixture due to minimum-cost criterion

Abstract

Existing design approaches for building mixture composition do not consider the interaction between the mixture components most often. It decreases the design efficiency and accuracy. The paper deals with the methodology for design of optimal building mixture composition based on minimal cost criterion. Such a methodology can be used for various construction mixtures, including for dry mixtures. The current inve stigation enables to find the influence of the main factors (water demand, content of the main binder and various fillers and additives) on compressive and flexural strengths of the gypsum-perlite mixture mortar. The study has also enabled to obtain corresponding mathematical models of mortar properties. Based on the models, a methodology for design of mixture composition is developed and it uses methods of mathematical programming. The proposed methodology allows obtaining optimal building mixture composition taking into account the required properties of mortar and its minimal cost. Based on the obtained mathematical models, a design method for building mixture composition was proposed. This method allows to take into account the special properties of the investigated materials and to provide an easy optimization of mixture composition according to the given minimum-cost criterion. An additional advantage of the proposed method is a possibility to add a certain number of limitations. It allows to satisfy many quality indexes simultaneously according to the given value. In the authors’ opinion, application of the proposed method in the production of building mixtures enables more efficient use of raw materials and ensure high-quality mortars.