Optimising hybrid Fibre and nanocellulose reinforced engineered cementitious composites using Taguchi-TOPSIS analysis

Withana, H; Rawat, S; Zhang, YX

Optimising hybrid Fibre and nanocellulose reinforced engineered cementitious composites using Taguchi-TOPSIS analysis

Withana, H Rawat, S

Zhang, YX

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Publisher:: ELSEVIER
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Materials Today Sustainability, 2025, 32
Issue Date:: 2025-12-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Withana, H
dc.contributor.author	Rawat, S https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1985-7579
dc.contributor.author	Zhang, YX
dc.date.accessioned	2025-12-18T02:59:22Z
dc.date.available	2025-12-18T02:59:22Z
dc.date.issued	2025-12-01
dc.identifier.citation	Materials Today Sustainability, 2025, 32
dc.identifier.issn	2589-2347
dc.identifier.issn	2589-2347
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/190982
dc.description.abstract	A structured approach to optimising the constituents of engineered cementitious composites (ECC) is crucial for reducing resource intensity and improving design efficiency. This study presents the design of a novel sustainable ECC that simultaneously achieves high strength and ductility, incorporating hybrid fibres, nanocellulose (NC), and high volumes of fly ash and silica fume. A novel approach utilising the hybrid application of Taguchi- Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) methods is adopted for the design, enabling systematic and precise adjustment of mix constituents and leading to optimized performance. The standard Taguchi orthogonal array, consisting of four factors, i.e. fly ash to silica fume ratio, water-to-binder ratio, fibre proportions, and nanocellulose dosage, was used to design the mix. The optimum combination of these constituents was determined to maximize five key response parameters: compressive strength, elastic modulus, flexural strength, tensile strength, and ultimate tensile strain. Results indicated that fly ash to silica fume ratio of 1:0.2, a water to binder ratio of 0.22, 1.5 % polyethylene +0.75 % steel fibre by volume, and 0.25 % NC by weight represent the optimal mix design. This mix achieved a compressive strength of 71 MPa, an elastic modulus of 30 GPa, a flexural strength of 17 MPa, an ultimate tensile strength of 4 MPa, and an ultimate tensile strain of 3 %. The optimal design was further validated by experimental results, which showed that the optimized mix outperformed all other mixes in all indices. This further demonstrates the effectiveness of the design method and the potential for successfully incorporating nanocellulose in ECC designs.
dc.language	English
dc.publisher	ELSEVIER
dc.relation.ispartof	Materials Today Sustainability
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.mtsust.2025.101224
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject.classification	3403 Macromolecular and materials chemistry
dc.subject.classification	3405 Organic chemistry
dc.subject.classification	3406 Physical chemistry
dc.title	Optimising hybrid Fibre and nanocellulose reinforced engineered cementitious composites using Taguchi-TOPSIS analysis
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	32
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology/School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology/School of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/UTS Groups
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/UTS Groups/Centre for Advanced Manufacturing (CAM)
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.rights.license	This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
dc.date.updated	2025-12-18T02:59:21Z
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	32

Abstract:

A structured approach to optimising the constituents of engineered cementitious composites (ECC) is crucial for reducing resource intensity and improving design efficiency. This study presents the design of a novel sustainable ECC that simultaneously achieves high strength and ductility, incorporating hybrid fibres, nanocellulose (NC), and high volumes of fly ash and silica fume. A novel approach utilising the hybrid application of Taguchi- Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) methods is adopted for the design, enabling systematic and precise adjustment of mix constituents and leading to optimized performance. The standard Taguchi orthogonal array, consisting of four factors, i.e. fly ash to silica fume ratio, water-to-binder ratio, fibre proportions, and nanocellulose dosage, was used to design the mix. The optimum combination of these constituents was determined to maximize five key response parameters: compressive strength, elastic modulus, flexural strength, tensile strength, and ultimate tensile strain. Results indicated that fly ash to silica fume ratio of 1:0.2, a water to binder ratio of 0.22, 1.5 % polyethylene +0.75 % steel fibre by volume, and 0.25 % NC by weight represent the optimal mix design. This mix achieved a compressive strength of 71 MPa, an elastic modulus of 30 GPa, a flexural strength of 17 MPa, an ultimate tensile strength of 4 MPa, and an ultimate tensile strain of 3 %. The optimal design was further validated by experimental results, which showed that the optimized mix outperformed all other mixes in all indices. This further demonstrates the effectiveness of the design method and the potential for successfully incorporating nanocellulose in ECC designs.

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