Intelligent multiobjective optimization for high-performance concrete mix proportion design: A hybrid machine learning approach

The concrete mix proportion design process is complex but important, especially in cold, ocean, underground and other complex engineering environments. In this study, a hybrid intelligent optimization method based on the random forest (RF), recursive feature elimination (RFE), Bayesian optimization (BO), least squares support vector machine (LSSVM) and nondominated sorting genetic algorithm (NGSA)-III was proposed to optimize the concrete mix proportion and rapidly and accurately predict the frost resistance, chloride ion penetration resistance and concrete strength (CS). Adopting a key project in Jilin Province as an example, the RF-RFE-BO-LSSVM-NSGA-III algorithm achieved a significant optimization effect in terms of the chloride ion permeability coefficient (CIPC), relative dynamic elastic modulus (RDEM) and 28-day CS. After optimization, the chloride ion penetration resistance, frost resistance and CS increased by 34.6%, 4.1% and 3.7%, respectively, over the average levels of the sample data. This study can provide basis for concrete mix proportion design in complex environment.