Study of the optimal aggregate blending model for quarries

Abstract

The quality of concrete is extremely important for the construction and mining sectors. One of the most important factors determining the quality of concrete depends on aggregates, which are not always homogeneous. On the other hand, there is an obligation to use aggregates obtained from different quarries. In such cases, the aggregates having different properties must be blended in order to maintain the desired concrete quality. In this study, optimization was performed using a linear programming in order to blend the aggregates at different qualities. Meanwhile, the objective function was determined to minimize the cost of aggregate production on the model. The limit values in the literature and national standards for the usability of aggregates in concrete were defined as constraints in the linear optimization and evaluated with the objective functions. Therefore, the most suitable aggregate blends were composed in order to obtain the requested concrete quality. As a conclusion, the most appropriate product blends were obtained in the research fields, and the usability of this model for those quarries was evaluated to provide the sustainability of product quality.