Prediction and optimization of properties of concrete containing crushed stone dust and nylon fiber using response surface methodology

Over-extraction of aggregates from natural sources with rapid urbanization as well as massive waste generation in construction industry have imposed the need to utilize waste material as concrete constituent. Crushed Stone Dust (CSD) is such a supplementary material that can be utilized for the production of sustainable concrete. This study attempts to predict and optimize fresh and hardened properties of concrete utilizing CSD as a partial replacement of natural fine aggregate and Nylon Fiber (NF) as fiber reinforcement using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). A three-level factorial design of Box-Behnken was incorporated to investigate the effect of CSD, NF and W/C as three independent variables on compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, fresh density and workability of concrete as desired responses. All…