A Method for Optimizing Lightweight-Gypsum Design Based on Sequential Measurements of Physical Parameters

Abstract

A method for lightweight-gypsum material design using waste stone dust as the foaming agent is described. The main objective is to reach several physical properties which are inversely related in a certain way. Therefore, a linear optimization method is applied to handle this task systematically. The optimization process is based on sequential measurement of physical properties. The results are subsequently point-awarded according to a complex point criterion and new composition is proposed. After 17 trials the final mixture is obtained, having the bulk density equal to (586 ± 19) kg/m 3 and compressive strength (1.10 ± 0.07) MPa. According to a detailed comparative analysis with reference gypsum, the newly developed material can be used as excellent thermally insulating interior plaster with the thermal conductivity of (0.082 ± 0.005) W/(m·K). In addition, its practical application can bring substantial economic and environmental benefits as the material contains 25 % of waste stone dust.

Environmentally friendly lightweight gypsum-based materials with waste stone dust

“…30 The sequential optimization method is described in detail, for example, in the literature. 31,32 The lowest bulk density was selected as the target of the optimization. The lightest produced material had a bulk density of 459 kg/m 3 .…”