Using AHP-Entropy Method to Evaluate the Effect of Specific Surface Area of Manganese Slag on Concrete Properties: A Case Study on Sustainable Cementitious Materials

International Journal of Civil Engineering

© 2025 by SSRG - IJCE Journal

Volume 12 Issue 6

Year of Publication : 2025

Authors : Feng Li, Chee Khoon Ng, Qiujin Zhao

10.14445/23488352/IJCE-V12I6P114

How to Cite?

Feng Li, Chee Khoon Ng, Qiujin Zhao, "Using AHP-Entropy Method to Evaluate the Effect of Specific Surface Area of Manganese Slag on Concrete Properties: A Case Study on Sustainable Cementitious Materials," SSRG International Journal of Civil Engineering, vol. 12,  no. 6, pp. 177-189, 2025. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23488352/IJCE-V12I6P114

Abstract:

This investigation examines the viability of employing Manganese Slag (MnS), an industrial by-product, as a sustainable Supplementary Cementitious Material (SCM) in concrete. MnS with four distinct Specific Surface Area (SSA) values (60, 120, 235, and 400 m²/kg) is assessed for its effects on workability, mechanical characteristics, and durability. Concrete specimens were fabricated by substituting different proportions of cement (by mass) with MnS, and their performance was evaluated through slump tests, compressive and flexural strength measurements, freeze-thaw resistance, sulfate attack, and chloride ion penetration analyses. The findings suggest that heightened SSA generally improves fluidity, strength, and durability, with better overall performance observed at 235-400 m²/kg SSA and 5-15% substitution. To find the optimal mixture design, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and entropy methodology were utilized, and it was concluded that the most balanced overall performance of concrete was obtained at 235 m²/kg SSA and 10% substitution. This research establishes that MnS when appropriately processed and incorporated, can improve concrete properties while promoting sustainable industrial waste management. These outcomes advance the development of environmentally conscious construction materials and optimize SCM applications in cementitious systems.

Keywords:

Analytic Hierarchy Process, Entropy method, Manganese Slag, Specific Surface Area, Sustainable.

References:

[1] V.G. Papadakis, S. Antiohos, and S. Tsimas, "Supplementary Cementing Materials in Concrete: Part II: A Fundamental Estimation of the Efficiency Factor," Cement and Concrete Research, vol. 32, no. 10, pp. 1533-1538, 2002.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[2] V.G. Papadakis, and S. Tsimas, "Supplementary Cementing Materials in Concrete: Part I: Efficiency and Design," Cement and Concrete Research, vol. 32, no. 10, pp. 1525-1532, 2002.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[3] Daman K. Panesar, and Runxiao Zhang, "Performance Comparison of Cement Replacing Materials in Concrete: Limestone Fillers and Supplementary Cementing Materials – A Review," Construction and Building Materials, vol. 251, 2020.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[4] Dengquan Wang, Qiang Wang, and Junfeng Xue, "Reuse of Hazardous Electrolytic Manganese Residue: Detailed Leaching Characterization and Novel Application as a Cementitious Material," Resources, Conservation and Recycling, vol. 154, 2020.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[5] Jirong Lan et al., "Selective Recovery of Manganese from Electrolytic Manganese Residue by Using Water as Extractant under Mechanochemical Ball Grinding: Mechanism and Kinetics," Journal of Hazardous Materials, vol. 415, 2021.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[6] Fuyuan Xu et al., "Water Balance Analysis and Wastewater Recycling Investigation in Electrolytic Manganese Industry of China — A Case Study," Hydrometallurgy, vol. 149, pp. 12-22, 2014.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[7] Fan Wang et al., "Application of Electrolytic Manganese Residues in Cement Products through Pozzolanic Activity Motivation and Calcination," Journal of Cleaner Production, vol. 338, 2022.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[8] Ali Allahverdi, and Salim Ahmadnezhad, "Mechanical Activation of Silicomanganese Slag and its Influence on the Properties of Portland Slag Cement," Powder Technology, vol. 251, pp. 41-51, 2014.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[9] Kefei Li et al., "Effect of Self-Desiccation on the Pore Structure of Paste and Mortar Incorporating 70% GGBS," Construction and Building Materials, vol. 51, pp. 329-337, 2014.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[10] Mohammad Bolhassani, and Mohammadreza Samani, "Effect of Type, Size, and Dosage of Nanosilica and Microsilica on Properties of Cement Paste and Mortar," Materials Journal, vol. 112, no. 2, pp. 259-266, 2015.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[11] Quentin Colombet, Florian Brandner, and Alain Darte, "Studying Optimal Spilling in the Light of SSA," ACM Transactions on Architecture and Code Optimization (TACO), vol. 11, no. 4, pp. 1-26, 2015.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[12] Jue Wang, and Xiang Li, "A Combined Neural Network Model for Commodity Price Forecasting with SSA," Soft Computing, vol. 22, pp. 5323-5333, 2018.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[13] Moisés Frias et al., "Recycling of Silicomanganese Slag as Pozzolanic Material in Portland Cements: Basic and Engineering Properties," Cement and Concrete Research, vol. 36, no. 3, pp. 487-491, 2006.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[14] Benjun Wang et al., "Lead Leaching Mechanism and Kinetics in Electrolytic Manganese Anode Slime," Hydrometallurgy, vol. 183, pp. 98-105, 2019.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[15] Changbo Zhou, Jiwei Wang, and Nanfang Wang, "Treating Electrolytic Manganese Residue with Alkaline Additives for Stabilizing Manganese and Removing Ammonia," Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering, vol. 30, pp. 2037-2042, 2013.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[16] S.K. Nath, and Sanjay Kumar, "Evaluation of the Suitability of Ground Granulated Silico-Manganese Slag in Portland Slag Cement," Construction and Building Materials, vol. 125, pp. 127-134, 2016.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[17] Bassam A. Tayeh et al., "Durability and Mechanical Properties of Cement Concrete Comprising Pozzolanic Materials with Alkali-Activated Binder: A Comprehensive Review," Case Studies in Construction Materials, vol. 17, pp. 1-17, 2022.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[18] Caijun Shi et al., "The Hydration and Microstructure of Ultra High-Strength Concrete with Cement–Silica Fume–Slag Binder," Cement and Concrete Composites, vol. 61, pp. 44-52, 2015.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[19] Kaffayatullah Khan, and Muhammad Nasir Amin, "Influence of Fineness of Volcanic Ash and its Blends with Quarry Dust and Slag on Compressive Strength of Mortar under Different Curing Temperatures," Construction and Building Materials, vol. 154, pp. 514-528, 2017.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[20] Jae-Won Her, and Nam-Gi Lim, "Physical and Chemical Properties of Nano-Slag Mixed Mortar," Journal of the Korea Institute of Building Construction, vol. 10, no. 6, pp. 145-154, 2010.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[21] Jinpeng Dai et al., "The Effect of Fineness on the Hydration Activity Index of Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag," Materials, vol. 12, no. 18, pp. 1-15, 2019.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[22] Ruben Snellings, Prannoy Suraneni, and Jørgen Skibsted, "Future and Emerging Supplementary Cementitious Materials," Cement and Concrete Research, vol. 171, 2023.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[23] Jialei Wang et al., "The Role and Mechanism of Rice Husk Ash Particle Characteristics in Cement Hydration Process," Materials, vol. 17, no. 22, pp. 1-21, 2024.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[24] Chee Khoon Ng et al., "The Properties of Normal Concrete with Ground Manganese Slag as Binder Replacement," Journal of Advanced Research in Applied Mechanics, vol. 116, no. 1, pp. 62-74, 2024.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[25] Libo Zhou et al., "Study on the Mechanical Properties and Hydration Behavior of Steel Slag–Red Mud–Electrolytic Manganese Residue Based Composite Mortar," Applied Sciences, vol. 13, no. 10, pp. 1-14, 2023.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[26] H. Alperen Bulut, and Remzi Şahin, "Radiological Characteristics of Self-Compacting Concretes Incorporating Fly Ash, Silica Fume, and Slag," Journal of Building Engineering, vol. 58, 2022.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[27] Jingjing He et al., "Study on the Effect of Silica–Manganese Slag Mixing on the Deterioration Resistance of Concrete under the Action of Salt Freezing," Buildings, vol. 14, no. 9, pp. 1-20, 2024.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[28] Junchao Yang et al., "The Properties of High-Performance Concrete with Manganese Slag under Salt Action," Materials, vol. 17, no. 7, pp. 1-20, 2024.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[29] Farzaneh Elyasigorji et al., “Comprehensive Review of Direct and Indirect Pozzolanic Reactivity Testing Methods,” Buildings, vol. 13, no. 11, pp. 1-26, 2023.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[30] Rong-jin Liu et al., "Durability of Concrete Made with Manganese Slag as Supplementary Cementitious Materials," Journal of Shanghai Jiaotong University (Science), vol. 17, pp. 345-349, 2012.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[31] Mike Otieno, Hans Beushausen, and Mark Alexander, "Effect of Chemical Composition of Slag on Chloride Penetration Resistance of Concrete," Cement and Concrete Composites, vol. 46, pp. 56-64, 2014.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[32] Yingtang Xu et al., "Investigation on Sulfate Activation of Electrolytic Manganese Residue on Early Activity of Blast Furnace Slag in Cement-Based Cementitious Material," Construction and Building Materials, vol. 229, 2019.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[33] Demet Demir Şahin, and Hasan Eker, “Effects of Ultrafine Fly Ash against Sulphate Reaction in Concrete Structures,” Materials, vol. 17, no. 6, pp. 1-20, 2024.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[34] Kevin D. Copeland et al., “Ultra Fine Fly Ash for High Performance Concrete,” Construction and Materials Issues 2001, pp. 166-175, 2001.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[35] Yoram Wind, and Thomas L. Saaty, "Marketing Applications of the Analytic Hierarchy Process," Management Science, vol. 26, no. 7, pp. 641-658, 1980.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[36] Yuyan Shen, and Kaicheng Liao, "An Application of Analytic Hierarchy Process and Entropy Weight Method in Food Cold Chain Risk Evaluation Model," Frontiers in Psychology, vol. 13, pp. 1-13, 2022.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[37] Huawang Shi et al., "Durability Evaluation of Iron Tailings Concrete under Freeze-Thaw Cycles and Sulfate Erosion Based on Entropy Weighting Method," Construction and Building Materials, vol. 443, 2024.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[38] Jinru Wu, Xiaoling Chen, and Jianzhong Lu, "Assessment of Long and Short-Term Flood Risk Using the Multi-Criteria Analysis Model with the AHP-Entropy Method in Poyang Lake Basin," International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, vol. 75, 2022.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[39] Le Zhang, Xueyan Li, and Yanlong Guo, "Research on the Influencing Factors of Spatial Vitality of Night Parks Based on AHP–Entropy Weights," Sustainability, vol. 16, no. 12, pp. 1-20, 2024.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[40] Gang Han et al., "Evaluation of the Ventilation Mode in an ISO Class 6 Electronic Cleanroom by the AHP-Entropy Weight Method," Energy, vol. 284, 2023.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[41] Juan-Juan Ren et al., "Evaluation of Slab Track Quality Indices Based on Entropy Weight-Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process," Engineering Failure Analysis, vol. 149, 2023.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[42] Peter Fernandes Wanke et al., "An Original Information Entropy-Based Quantitative Evaluation Model for Low-Carbon Operations in an Emerging Market," International Journal of Production Economics, vol. 234, 2021.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[43] BS EN 12350-2:2019 - TC, Testing Fresh Concrete - Slump Test, Bsi.knowledge, 2019. [Online]. Available: https://knowledge.bsigroup.com/products/testing-fresh-concrete-slump-test-2
[44] BS EN 12390-3:2019 - TC, Testing Hardened Concrete - Compressive Strength of Test Specimens, Bsi.knowledge, 2019. [Online]. Available: https://knowledge.bsigroup.com/products/testing-hardened-concrete-compressive-strength-of-test-specimens-1
[45] BS EN 12390-5:2019 - TC, Testing Hardened Concrete - Flexural Strength of Test Specimens, Bsi.knowledge, 2019. [Online]. Available: https://knowledge.bsigroup.com/products/testing-hardened-concrete-flexural-strength-of-test-specimens-1
[46] ASTM C1202-17, Standard Test Method for Electrical Indication of Concrete's Ability to Resist Chloride Ion Penetration, ASTM, 2017. [Online]. Available: https://store.astm.org/c1202-17.html
[47] ASTM C1012/C1012M-15, Standard Test Method for Length Change of Hydraulic-Cement Mortars Exposed to a Sulfate Solution, ASTM, 2018. [Online]. Available: https://store.astm.org/c1012_c1012m-15.html
[48] ASTM C157/C157M-17, Standard Test Method for Length Change of Hardened Hydraulic-Cement Mortar and Concrete, ASTM, 2017. [Online]. Available: https://store.astm.org/c0157_c0157m-17.html
[49] PD CEN/TS 12390-9:2016 - TC, Testing Hardened Concrete - Freeze-Thaw Resistance with De-Icing Salts. Scaling, Bsi.knowledge, 2016. [Online]. Available: https://knowledge.bsigroup.com/products/testing-hardened-concrete-freeze-thaw-resistance-with-de-icing-salts-scaling
[50] Amos Darko et al., "Review of Application of Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) in Construction," International Journal of Construction Management, vol. 19, no. 5, pp. 436-452, 2019.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]