Study of mixture factors on the compressive strength of the mortar

Abstract

The research objectives are: To study the effects of limestone Mix ratio on the compressive strength of mortar, and to determine the optimum level of limestone Mix for the desired value of compressive strength. In this study the 4² full factorial experiment design with 48 specimens. The results show that the interaction between limestone mixture (X₁*X₂*X₃*X₄) has no significant effect on the compressive strength of mortar. At significance level of 0.05, it was found that mixing factors X₁ (Limestone 0-0.1 mm), X₂ (Limestone 0.1-0.6 mm), X₃ (Limestone 0.6-1.15 mm), and X₄ (Limestone 1.15-2.5 mm) have a significant effect on the compressive strength of mortar (R² = 99.95%). As for the optimum mix ratio of limestone mixture ratio that yields the desired compressive strength (44-54 MPa), the following results have been found: X₁ = 0 g, X₂ = 250 g, X₃ = 250.127 g, and X₄ = 817.978 g. Before implementing or starting actual construction, further experiments should be performed in order to confirm the results.