Optimizing Cement Content in Controlled Low-Strength Soils: Effects of Water Content and Hydration Time

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Civil Engineering
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• The Ethylene Diamine Tetra-acetic Acid (EDTA) titration is a standard method for determining cement content.
• Reliability of EDTA titration is challenged by cement hydration influenced by water content and hydration time.
• Limited research has focused on the impact of these hydration factors on EDTA titration accuracy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationships between titrant volume, cement content, water content, and hydration time.
• To analyze the primary, secondary, and interdependent effects of these factors on EDTA titration.
• To provide data for optimizing cement content determination in Controlled Low-Strength Material (CLSM) mixes.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a regression orthogonal test design.
• Analyzed the relationships and interdependencies among cement content, water content, hydration time, and titrant volume.
• Quantified the influence of water content and hydration time variations on cement content calculations.

Main Results:

• A negative linear relationship was observed between titrant volume and both water content and hydration time.
• Cement content, water content, and hydration time were identified as the most significant factors.
• Minimal interdependencies were found among the tested variables.
• Calculated cement content exhibited an error margin below 2.4% within the experimental parameters.

Conclusions:

• Water content and hydration time significantly influence EDTA titration results for cement content.
• Optimized detection of cement content in CLSM is achievable by accounting for these factors.
• Findings support more accurate and sustainable practices in CLSM construction.