Modelling of the Effects of Antimicrobial Agents on the Compressive Strength of High-Performance Concrete Using Response Surface Methodology

Abstract

This study explores the potential of antimicrobial agents in high-performance concrete (HPC) to combat biodeterioration without compromising compressive strength. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to create 21 combinations of nanosized TiO2 and ZnO (ranging from 0–2% by weight of cement in HPC). Results show that ZnO negatively impacts compressive strength as its content increases from 0–2%, while TiO2 enhances it by up to 17% with 2% TiO2. By optimizing TiO2 and varying ZnO within the 0–2% range, compressive strengths between 81–100 MPa can be achieved. The quadratic model, with significant statistical values, accurately depicts the effects of nanoparticles on compressive strengths.

Keywords

• antimicrobial agents
• compressive strength
• response surface methodology
• TiO₂
• ZnO