Application of Proper Orthogonal Decomposition in Concrete Performance Appraisal

Mould ability of concrete has made it the most versatile and popular material of construction. Workability, strength and durability of concrete are very important characteristics that depend on a large number of variables like cement and aggregate type, mix proportioning, method of mixing, conveying, placing and curing and environmental conditions of exposure like temperature, humidity, wind velocity and insolation. The degrees to which workability, strength and durability characteristics vary, and also interplay and conflicts make decision on consideration of independent variables that influence concrete performance, make the job of analysts very complex. Proper Orthogonal Decomposition (POD) is a tool that has great usage potential in reorganizing and rationalizing vast data to understand dependence, interdependence and independence of variables that affect the concrete characteristics. This paper presents the utility of Proper Orthogonal Decomposition in concrete performance appraisal.