Optimization of Antifreeze Admixture Formulations
Open Access
- Author:
- Damle, Sameer Sharad
- Graduate Program:
- Civil Engineering
- Degree:
- Master of Science
- Document Type:
- Master Thesis
- Date of Defense:
- None
- Committee Members:
- Barry Earl Scheetz, Thesis Advisor/Co-Advisor
Barry Earl Scheetz, Thesis Advisor/Co-Advisor - Keywords:
- Ipanex
Admixture
Antifreeze
Minitab - Abstract:
- The objective of the study conducted was to optimize the proportions of three admixture formulations to be used for cold weather concreting and then to down select two for further research. For the purpose of the study an experimental plan was developed to conduct the optimization process based on the statistical method, Design of Experiments. The statistical data analysis program MINITAB was the tool used for generating the various runs of the experiments. The formulations were tested for the physical properties of mortars, Vicat Setting Time and Compressive Strengths. The experiments were carried out at varying temperatures in addition to varying proportions of the admixtures. The results of the experimental runs were analyzed using the MINITAB program and a characteristic behavior pattern was developed over the range of admixture proportions for each formulation. The behavior pattern thus obtained was then used to predict the optimized proportions of the admixtures in each formulation using predefined criteria. The admixture formulations were down selected to two (one primary and one back up) based on the synergistic effects of the admixtures with each other. Finally a detailed study of the effect of IPANEX, one of the admixtures used in the study, on the yields and its interaction with other admixtures was conducted using MINITAB. Thus the optimization of the admixture proportions was obtained through the statistical analysis.