Response Surface Optimization of High-Durability Fly Ash–Slag Blended Concrete as an Eco-Friendly Repair Material

TL;DR

This study optimizes eco-friendly concrete using fly ash and slag to improve durability in harsh environments like marine and underground settings.

Contribution

The paper introduces a response surface methodology to optimize FA-GGBS blended concrete for high durability and environmental benefits.

Findings

Optimal mix of 14.8% FA and 29.3% GGBS achieved 56.2 MPa compressive strength and low chloride migration.

Blended concrete showed refined pore structure and improved long-term durability via SEM and MIP analysis.

The method provides quantitative guidance for eco-friendly concrete in marine and underground applications.

Abstract

To address the durability deficiencies and limited service life of concrete structures exposed to complex service environments such as chloride attack in marine and underground engineering, this study employs fly ash (FA) and ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS), typical eco-friendly materials, as functional mineral admixtures to systematically investigate the effects of their combined incorporation on the mechanical properties, durability, drying shrinkage, and microstructural characteristics of concrete. The objective is to develop a concrete material that achieves high durability while maintaining structural safety and service performance, with the additional benefit of improved resource utilization efficiency. Single-factor tests were first conducted to determine the sensitivity ranges of FA and GGBS within 10–30% for slump, compressive strength, chloride migration coefficient (RCM), and drying shrinkage. Subsequently, response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to establish quadratic regression models using FA and GGBS as independent variables and compressive strength, RCM, and drying shrinkage as response indicators. The models exhibited high fitting accuracy, and their reliability was validated through analysis of variance (ANOVA), residual analysis, and predictive performance indices. Multi-objective optimization based on the desirability function identified the optimal mix proportion as FA = 14.8% and SL = 29.3%, yielding predicted values of 56.2 MPa for 28-day compressive strength, 6.03 × 10−12 m2/s for RCM, and 639 με for 90-day drying shrinkage. Microstructural analysis using SEM and MIP further revealed that the binary-blended system promotes the formation of a dense C–S–H/C–A–S–H gel network, refines pore-size distribution, and reduces pore connectivity, thereby improving long-term mechanical and durability performance. The findings provide quantitative guidance for designing high-durability, environmentally friendly concrete suitable for marine and underground engineering applications.

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