A comparative analysis of machine learning models in prediction of mortar compressive strength

Abstract

Predicting the mechanical properties of cement-based mortars is essential in understanding the life and functioning of structures. Machine learning (ML) algorithms in this regard can be especially useful in prediction scenarios. In this paper, a comprehensive comparison of nine ML algorithms, i.e., linear regression (LR), random forest regression (RFR), support vector regression (SVR), AdaBoost regression (ABR), multi-layer perceptron (MLP), gradient boosting regression (GBR), decision tree regression (DT), hist gradient boosting regression (hGBR) and XGBoost regression (XGB), is carried out. A multi-attribute decision making method called TOPSIS (technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution) is used to select the best ML metamodel. A large dataset on cement-based mortars consisting of 424 sample points is used. The compressive strength of cement-based mortars is predicted based on six input parameters, i.e., the age of specimen (AS), the cement grade (CG), the metakaolin-to-total-binder ratio (MK/B), the water-to-binder ratio (W/B), the superplasticizer-to-binder ratio (SP) and the binder-to-sand ratio (B/S). XGBoost regression is found to be the best ML metamodel while simple metamodels like linear regression (LR) are found to be insufficient in handling the non-linearity in the process. This mapping of the compressive strength of mortars using ML techniques will be helpful for practitioners and researchers in identifying suitable mortar mixes.