Response surface modeling of compressive strength of high-performance concrete formulated by a high water reducing and setting accelerating superplasticizer. Box–Behnken experimental design

This work aims to determine, on the ground of the response surface methodology of the experimental design, a model predicting the compressive strength of high-performance concrete formulated by a high water reducing and setting accelerating (SP103) superplasticizer as a function of the proportion of the constituents used. A second-degree polynomial equation is used to model the effect of the water content, the proportion of SP103 superplasticizer, and the W/C ratio keeping all other components and operating conditions unchanged. The study has four essential parts. The first one focuses at the choice of the materials used, the method of formulation and the realization of the different mixtures. The second one presents the analysis of the effects and expected interactions between the various factors. The third part aims at the determination of the main physical, chemical, and mechanical characteristics of the materials used, while the last part describes the application of the response surface methodology defining each factor studied and validating the model advanced.Keywords: response surface modeling, compressive strength, high-performance concrete, superplasticizer, water reducing, accelerating of setting, Box–Behnken, experimental design.