Performance and RSM-based optimization of eco-friendly concrete incorporating seashell powder and bamboo chips

Performance and RSM-based optimization of eco-friendly concrete incorporating seashell powder and bamboo chips | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Performance and RSM-based optimization of eco-friendly concrete incorporating seashell powder and bamboo chips Muhammad Adnan Hanif, Saad Hanif, Kamran Aziz, Amirali Najafi, and 2 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-9078895/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract The depletion of natural fine and coarse aggregates due to rapid urbanization poses a significant threat to environmental sustainability. This study explores the performance of eco-friendly concrete incorporating seashell powder (fine aggregate) and treated bamboo chips (coarse aggregate) at replacement levels of 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30% by volume. A total of 111 cylindrical and 12 prism beam specimens were tested in a two-stage experimental program. In Stage I, 18 mix ratios were evaluated based on 28-day compressive strength, identifying the optimal combination (20% seashell powder + 10% bamboo chips, labelled S2B1). In addition to experimental work, Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was employed to statistically optimize replacement levels, with the cubic model predicting 21.6% seashell powder and 0.2% bamboo chips as the mathematical optimum (desirability = 1.0), thereby validating the experimental choice of S2B1 as the practical optimum mix. In Stage II, S2B1 was assessed for compressive strength, split tensile strength, flexural strength, modulus of elasticity, stress–strain response, mass loss, and toughness at 28 and 90 days under ambient and elevated temperatures (200°C, 400°C, 600°C). S2B1 achieved 25.37 MPa compressive strength at 90 days, only 11.9% lower than the control, while also demonstrating improved toughness, ductility, and thermal resilience after extended curing. The synergistic use of these sustainable materials offers a promising alternative for normal-strength concrete applications, with the added advantage of statistical optimization to support experimental findings. Civil Engineering Eco friendly concrete Aggregate replacement Seashell powder Bamboo chips Elevated temperature Mechanical properties Response Surface Methodology (RSM) Full Text Additional Declarations The authors declare no competing interests. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-9078895","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":603509417,"identity":"c3106f13-9c84-4e47-b85d-202327c200ac","order_by":0,"name":"Muhammad Adnan Hanif","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"National University of Sciences and Technology, Pakistan","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Muhammad","middleName":"Adnan","lastName":"Hanif","suffix":""},{"id":603508758,"identity":"5f68dd62-1297-40c8-b394-cc5413edd93c","order_by":1,"name":"Saad 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This study explores the performance of eco-friendly concrete incorporating seashell powder (fine aggregate) and treated bamboo chips (coarse aggregate) at replacement levels of 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30% by volume. A total of 111 cylindrical and 12 prism beam specimens were tested in a two-stage experimental program. In Stage I, 18 mix ratios were evaluated based on 28-day compressive strength, identifying the optimal combination (20% seashell powder\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;10% bamboo chips, labelled S2B1). In addition to experimental work, Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was employed to statistically optimize replacement levels, with the cubic model predicting 21.6% seashell powder and 0.2% bamboo chips as the mathematical optimum (desirability\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;1.0), thereby validating the experimental choice of S2B1 as the practical optimum mix. In Stage II, S2B1 was assessed for compressive strength, split tensile strength, flexural strength, modulus of elasticity, stress\u0026ndash;strain response, mass loss, and toughness at 28 and 90 days under ambient and elevated temperatures (200\u0026deg;C, 400\u0026deg;C, 600\u0026deg;C). S2B1 achieved 25.37 MPa compressive strength at 90 days, only 11.9% lower than the control, while also demonstrating improved toughness, ductility, and thermal resilience after extended curing. 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