Application and analysis of machine learning algorithms for design of concrete mix with plasticizer and without plasticizer

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to find an alternative to conventional method of concrete mix design. For finding the alternative, 4 machine learning algorithms viz. multi-variable linear regression, Support Vector Regression, Decision Tree Regression and Artificial Neural Network for designing concrete mix of desired properties. The multivariable linear regression model is just a simplistic baseline model, support vector regression Artificial Neural Network model were made because past researchers worked heavily on them, Decision tree model was made by authors own intuition. Their results have been compared to find the best algorithm. Finally, we check if the best performing algorithm is accurate enough to replace the convention method. For this, we utilize the concrete mix designs done in lab for various on site designs. The models have been designed for both mixes types – with plasticizer and without plasticizer The paper presents detailed comparison of four models Based on the results obtained from the four models, the best one has been selected based on high accuracy and least computational cost. Each sample had 24 features initially, out of which, most significant features were chosen which were contributing towards prediction of a variable using f regression and p values and models were trained on those selected features. Based on the R squared value, best fitting models were selected among the four algorithms used. From the paper, the author(s) conclude that decision tree regression is best for calculating the amount of ingredients required with R squared values close to 0.8 for most of the models. DTR model is also computationally cheaper than ANN and future works with DTR in mix design is highly recommended in this paper. © 2021 The Authors. Published by Pouyan Press.