Study on the Mechanical Properties of Polyurethane-Cement Mortar Containing Nanosilica: RSM and Machine Learning Approach

Polymer-modified cement mortar has been increasingly used as a runway/road pavement repair material due to its improved bending strength, bonding strength, and wear resistance. The flexural strength of polyurethane–cement mortar (PUCM) is critical in achieving a desirable maintenance effect. This st...

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Main Authors: M. S. M. Al-kahtani, Han Zhu, Yasser E. Ibrahim, S. I. Haruna, S. S. M. Al-qahtani
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-12-01
Series:Applied Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/24/13348
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author M. S. M. Al-kahtani
Han Zhu
Yasser E. Ibrahim
S. I. Haruna
S. S. M. Al-qahtani
author_facet M. S. M. Al-kahtani
Han Zhu
Yasser E. Ibrahim
S. I. Haruna
S. S. M. Al-qahtani
author_sort M. S. M. Al-kahtani
collection DOAJ
description Polymer-modified cement mortar has been increasingly used as a runway/road pavement repair material due to its improved bending strength, bonding strength, and wear resistance. The flexural strength of polyurethane–cement mortar (PUCM) is critical in achieving a desirable maintenance effect. This study aims to evaluate and optimize the flexural strength of PUCM involving nano silica (NS) using a central composite design/response surface methodology (CCD/RSM) to design and establish statistical models. The PU binder and NS were utilized as input parameters to evaluate the responses, such as compressive and flexural strength. Moreover, machine learning (ML) algorithms including artificial neural networks (ANN) and Gaussian regression process (GPR) were used. The PUCM mixtures were prepared by adding a PU binder at 0%, 10%, 15%, and 25% by weight of cement. At the same time, NS was incorporated into the mortar mixes at 0 to 3% (interval of 1%) by cement weight. The results showed that the simultaneous effect of PU binder at the optimal content and NS improved the performance of PUCM. Adding NS to the mortar mixture mitigated some of the strength lost due to the PU binder, which remarkably reduces the strength properties at a high content. The optimized PUCM can be obtained by partly adding 3.5% PU binder and 2.93% NS particles by the weight of cement. The performance of the machine learning algorithms was tested using performance indicators such as the determination of coefficient (R<sup>2</sup>), mean absolute error (MAE), mean-square error (MSE), and root-mean-square error (RMSE). The GPR algorithm outperformed the ANN with higher R<sup>2</sup> and lower MAE values in the training and testing phases. The GPR can predict flexural strength with 90% accuracy, while ANN can predict it with 75% accuracy.
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spelling doaj.art-36d2a44457094571ac25a2f801ac9d032023-12-22T13:52:20ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172023-12-0113241334810.3390/app132413348Study on the Mechanical Properties of Polyurethane-Cement Mortar Containing Nanosilica: RSM and Machine Learning ApproachM. S. M. Al-kahtani0Han Zhu1Yasser E. Ibrahim2S. I. Haruna3S. S. M. Al-qahtani4School of Civil Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, ChinaSchool of Civil Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, ChinaEngineering Management Department, College of Engineering, Prince Sultan University, Riyadh 11586, Saudi ArabiaEngineering Management Department, College of Engineering, Prince Sultan University, Riyadh 11586, Saudi ArabiaSchool of Civil Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, ChinaPolymer-modified cement mortar has been increasingly used as a runway/road pavement repair material due to its improved bending strength, bonding strength, and wear resistance. The flexural strength of polyurethane–cement mortar (PUCM) is critical in achieving a desirable maintenance effect. This study aims to evaluate and optimize the flexural strength of PUCM involving nano silica (NS) using a central composite design/response surface methodology (CCD/RSM) to design and establish statistical models. The PU binder and NS were utilized as input parameters to evaluate the responses, such as compressive and flexural strength. Moreover, machine learning (ML) algorithms including artificial neural networks (ANN) and Gaussian regression process (GPR) were used. The PUCM mixtures were prepared by adding a PU binder at 0%, 10%, 15%, and 25% by weight of cement. At the same time, NS was incorporated into the mortar mixes at 0 to 3% (interval of 1%) by cement weight. The results showed that the simultaneous effect of PU binder at the optimal content and NS improved the performance of PUCM. Adding NS to the mortar mixture mitigated some of the strength lost due to the PU binder, which remarkably reduces the strength properties at a high content. The optimized PUCM can be obtained by partly adding 3.5% PU binder and 2.93% NS particles by the weight of cement. The performance of the machine learning algorithms was tested using performance indicators such as the determination of coefficient (R<sup>2</sup>), mean absolute error (MAE), mean-square error (MSE), and root-mean-square error (RMSE). The GPR algorithm outperformed the ANN with higher R<sup>2</sup> and lower MAE values in the training and testing phases. The GPR can predict flexural strength with 90% accuracy, while ANN can predict it with 75% accuracy.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/24/13348mortarpolyurethaneresponse surface methodologyartificial intelligentmechanical properties
spellingShingle M. S. M. Al-kahtani
Han Zhu
Yasser E. Ibrahim
S. I. Haruna
S. S. M. Al-qahtani
Study on the Mechanical Properties of Polyurethane-Cement Mortar Containing Nanosilica: RSM and Machine Learning Approach
Applied Sciences
mortar
polyurethane
response surface methodology
artificial intelligent
mechanical properties
title Study on the Mechanical Properties of Polyurethane-Cement Mortar Containing Nanosilica: RSM and Machine Learning Approach
title_full Study on the Mechanical Properties of Polyurethane-Cement Mortar Containing Nanosilica: RSM and Machine Learning Approach
title_fullStr Study on the Mechanical Properties of Polyurethane-Cement Mortar Containing Nanosilica: RSM and Machine Learning Approach
title_full_unstemmed Study on the Mechanical Properties of Polyurethane-Cement Mortar Containing Nanosilica: RSM and Machine Learning Approach
title_short Study on the Mechanical Properties of Polyurethane-Cement Mortar Containing Nanosilica: RSM and Machine Learning Approach
title_sort study on the mechanical properties of polyurethane cement mortar containing nanosilica rsm and machine learning approach
topic mortar
polyurethane
response surface methodology
artificial intelligent
mechanical properties
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/24/13348
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