j o u r n a l o f m a t e r i a l s p r o c e s s i n g t e c h n o l o g y 1 9 9 ( 2 0 0 8 ) 108–118

journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/jmatprotec

Prediction of rubberized mortar properties using artificial

neural network and fuzzy logic

İlker Bekir Topçu 1 , Mustafa Sarıdemir ∗

Eskişehir Osmangazi University, Department of Civil Engineering, 26480 Eskişehir, Turkey

a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t

Article history: In this study, waste rubberized aggregates were used as sand in mortar production which
Received 11 October 2006 had two different sizes in the range of diameter (0–1) and (1–4) mm. Flexural strength
Received in revised form and compressive strength of mortar were determined experimentally for waste rubberized
18 June 2007 aggregates mortar types. The experimental results showed that the flexural and compres-
Accepted 3 August 2007 sive strength decreases considerably when amount of waste rubber aggregates used in the
mixtures increases. Experimental results were also obtained by constructing models accord-
ing to artificial neural network and fuzzy logic methods. It is concluded that the properties
Keywords: of waste rubberized mortar can be obtained without any experimental tests when the arti-
Waste rubber ficial neural network and fuzzy logic models results are discussed. It is seen that training
Flexural strength and testing results are similar to the experimental results.
Compressive strength © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Artificial neural network
Fuzzy logic

1. Introduction and Portland cement (Sukontasukkul and Chaikaew, 2006).

All over the world, the amount of waste rubber (WR) has grad-
ually increased over recent years because of over-growing use
of rubber products. This disposal of WRs has caused serious
environmental problems. Generally, the cheapest and easiest
way used to dispose solid waste or used tire is burning method.
However, the pollution and enormous amount of smoke gen-
erated by this method makes burning quite unacceptable and
in some countries it is prohibited by law (Topçu, 1995; Topçu,
1997; Topçu and Avcular, 1997; Sukontasukkul and Chaikaew,
2006). Innovative solutions have to be developed to solve this
problem (Li et al., 2004).
Several studies indicate that the presence of WR in con-
crete seems to decrease the flexural and compressive strength
as compared to that of conventional concrete. The decrease
in strength is due to the lack of bonding between WR crumb
The size of WR crumb also appears to have influence on
the strength (Topçu, 1995; Topçu, 1997; Topçu and Avcular,
1997; Sukontasukkul and Chaikaew, 2006). The compressive
strength of the coarse grading of WR crumbs is lower than the
finer grading (Topçu, 1995; Topçu, 1997; Topçu and Avcular,
1997; Sukontasukkul and Chaikaew, 2006; Li et al., 2004; Eldin
and Senouci, 1993; Eldin and Senouci, 1994; Fattuhi and Clark,
1996).
Several works on the physical and mechanical properties of
cement-based mortars containing different contents of rubber
tyres has also been carried out. Segre and Joekes (2000) stud-
ied use of tire rubber particles in addition to cement paste.
The results of fracture energy and flexural and compressive
strength show that the addition of rubber improves the tough-
ness and reduces the porosity of the specimens. Benazzouk
et al. (2003) study on the physico-mechanical properties has

∗
Corresponding author. Tel.: +90 222 239 3750/3237.
E-mail addresses: ilkerbt@ogu.edu.tr (İ.B. Topçu), msdemir@ogu.edu.tr (M. Sarıdemir).
1
Tel.: +90 222 239 3750/3217.
0924-0136/$ – see front matter © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/j.jmatprotec.2007.08.042
 j o u r n a l o f m a t e r i a l s p r o c e s s i n g t e c h n o l o g y 1 9 9 ( 2 0 0 8 ) 108–118 109

indicated a significant reduction in compressive strength for
rubber content ranging from of 0% to 50%. For the same unit
weight, the compressive strength was pointed out higher with
the expanded rubber aggregates type than with compact rub-
ber aggregates. For the same size and rubber content, the
decrease in both unit weight and dynamic modulus of elas-
ticity was indicated greater with expanded rubber aggregates
type compared with compact rubber aggregates type. In their
study, Al-Akhras and Smadi (2004) used tire rubber ash as par-
tial replacement of sand in mortar mixtures. The air content
of tire rubber ash mortar decreased with increasing tire rubber
ash content. The compressive strength of mortar specimens
increased with the increase of tire rubber ash replacement
level for all curing periods tested. The flexural strength of
tire rubber ash mortar increased with increasing tire rubber
ash replacement level. Turatsinze et al. (2007) has investigated
the effect of rubber aggregates on modifying the properties of
cement-based mortars and aimed to improve cracking shrink-
age resistance of such mortars. In another study, Turatsinze
et al. (2005) investigated the effect of recycled worn tyres of
mechanical characterization of cement-based incorporating
rubber aggregates. In their study, it was indicated that rubber
aggregate replacement decreased highly the compressive and
tensile strength of the composite. Turatsinze et al. (2006) also
has investigated the effect on the resistance of cement-based
mortars to shrinkage cracking of positive synergy between
steel-fibres and rubber aggregates.
In this study, recycled WRs have been separated into two
groups as fine (0–1 mm) and coarse (1–4 mm) and utilized as
partial replacement of sand in cement-based mortars at six
levels: 0, 10, 15, 20, 30, 45 and 50% by volume. It was researched
experimentally how WRs replacement of sand affects flexural
and compressive strength values of mortars. Besides, artificial
neural network (ANN) and Sugeno-type fuzzy inference tech-
nique in fuzzy logic (FL) system were also utilized in order to
predict the properties of rubberized mortars without perform-
ing any experiments. The flexural and compressive strength
results of rubberized mortar used ANN and Sugeno-type fuzzy
inference system in FL system are the results determined by
previous experimental studies. In training of the models, day
(D), cement (C), sand (S), fine rubber (FR), coarse rubber (CR)
and water (W) were entered as input; while flexural strength
(FS) and compressive strength (fc ) values were used as outputs.
After training the models without entering the experimental
results, tests were performed only with experimental input
and values similar to the experimental results were obtained.
2. Experimental study
In the experimental study, CEM II 32.5/B-P type cement, stan-
dard Rilem sand, tap water, and as waste rubber aggregates
two different groups of waste rubbers granule sized between
the ranges of 0–1 and 1–4 mm were used. The specific gravity
and fineness modulus of the sand were 2.68 and 2.04, respec-
tively. The specific gravity was 0.65 for both fine and coarse
waste rubber and fineness modulus of the fine and coarse
waste rubber were 1.91 and 1.58. In waste rubberized mortars,
for determining the flexural and compressive strength, mix-
tures were prepared by using 0, 10, 15, 20, 30, 45 and 50% by
volume waste rubber replacing sand sized between the ranges
of 0–1 and 1–4 mm. On preparing the specimens to be used to
determine flexural and compressive strength, triple steel mor-
tar molds sized 160 mm × 40 mm × 40 mm which were suitable

Table 1 – 1 m3 volume mixture values in waste rubber mortars

Mixture (g) Cement Sand (0–4 mm) Fine rubber (0–1 mm) Coarse rubber (1–4 mm) Water

Control 1757.80 – –
FR15 1496.10 63.80 –
FR30 1231.80 127.60 –
1 FR45 585.90 967.40 191.40 – 292.90
CR15 1496.10 – 63.80
CR30 1231.80 – 127.60
CR45 967.40 – 191.40

Control 1324.20 – –
FR10 1191.80 41.50 –
FR20 1059.30 83.10 –
FR30 926.40 124.60 –
2 FR50 441.40 662.10 207.70 – 220.70
CR10 1191.80 – 41.50
CR20 1059.30 – 83.10
CR30 926.40 – 124.60
CR50 662.10 – 207.70

Control 1800.00 – –
FR10 1700.00 50.00 –
FR20 1490.00 100.00 –
FR30 1160.00 130.00 –
3 FR50 470.00 1090.00 270.00 – 200.00
CR10 1700.00 – 50.00
CR20 1490.00 – 100.00
CR30 1160.00 – 130.00
CR50 1090.00 – 270.00
110 j o u r n a l o f m a t e r i a l s p r o c e s s i n g t e c h n o l o g y 1 9 9 ( 2 0 0 8 ) 108–118

Fig. 1 – Effect of waste rubber replacement on FS of mortar

Fig. 2 – Effect of waste rubber replacement on FS of mortar
at 7 days.
at 28 days.

for TS EN 196-1 and ASTM C 348-97 were used. Mortars which
were prepared to be right for TS EN 196-1 and ASTM C 190/C
109 M-101 were replaced to molds and 50 unit mortar speci-
mens were produced in series. The weights of the materials
present in 1 m3 mortar mixture are given in Table 1. The mor-
tar specimens were demolded after 24 h and stored in a curing
room at 23 ± 2 ◦ C and 95 ± 5 relative humidity until the experi-
ments. After 7 and 28 days flexural strength experiments were
conducted on the mortar specimens. Compressive strength
experiments were applied on samples divided into two parts
on flexural test after every part of these specimens was taken
between steel plates with size 40 mm × 40 mm × 10 mm.
3. Experimental results
FS at 7 days as for the other mixture series were 10, 20, 30
and 50% at WR content of 13.5, 33, 41 and 51%, respectively,
compared to control mortar. The mean of corresponding first
mixture series decreases in FS at 28 days were 8, 17, and 28.5%
at WR content of 15, 30 and 45%, respectively, compared to
control mortar. The mean of other mixture series decreases in
FS at 28 days were 14.5, 31, 41 and 53% at WR content of 10,
20, 30 and 50%, respectively, compared to control mortar. The
decrease in FS value of WR was greater in the coarse rubber
(1–4 mm) in mortars compared to those produced with fine
rubber (0–1 mm). As the experimental results demonstrate,
use of WR in mortar causes a decrease in FS. The reason is
that WR specific gravity is less than sand. FS regression equa-
tions and the multiple regression correlation coefficients of
WR mortars are given in Table 2.

3.1. Flexural strength 3.2. Compressive strength

Figs. 1 and 2 show the effect of WR replacement on the flexural
strength (FS) of mortar at 7 and 28 days, respectively. On the
other series, the amount of decrease of FS is more as to the
first mixture series. As a result of this, a great deal of cement
amount of the first mixture series can be shown. The percent
mean decrease in FS at 7 days of the first mixture series were
15, 30 and 45% at WR content of 6, 17.5 and 32.5%, respectively,
compared to control mortar. The percent mean decrease in
Figs. 3 and 4 show the effect of compressive strength (fc ) with
curing periods (7 and 28 days) on hardened mortar containing
0, 10, 15, 20, 30, 45 and 50% WR replacement levels. The fc of
mortar specimens decreased with the increase in WR content
for 7 and 28 days experiments. The reason of this decrease
is forming more porosity in mortar of WR and having less
strength according to sand. The percent mean decrease in fc
at 7 days of the first mixture series was 15, 30 and 45% at WR

Table 2 – Regression equations and correlation coefficients of the rubberized mortars

Mixture code Flexural strength Compressive strength

Regression equation R2 Regression equation R2

28 days FR1 y = −0.0247x + 4.380 0.9956 y = −0.2948x + 27.973 0.9864

28 days CR1 y = −0.0307x + 4.490 0.9618 y = −0.3312x + 28.487 0.9601
28 days FR2 y = −0.0659x + 6.111 0.9421 y = −0.4765x + 28.788 0.8811
28 days CR2 y = −0.0650x + 5.950 0.8872 y = −0.4820x + 27.805 0.8400
28 days FR3 y = −0.0520x + 4.345 0.9630 y = −0.4386x + 27.501 0.7776
28 days CR3 y = −0.0482x + 4.490 0.9239 y = −0.4236x + 25.821 0.7565
7 days FR1 y = −0.0293x + 4.410 0.9584 y = −0.2795x + 26.343 0.9881
7 days CR1 y = −0.0333x + 4.400 0.9690 y = −0.3129x + 26.142 0.9761
7 days FR2 y = −0.0400x + 4.300 0.9834 y = −0.3067x + 21.127 0.8394
7 days CR2 y = −0.0407x + 4.215 0.9318 y = −0.2628x + 18.369 0.8189
7 days FR3 y = −0.0449x + 3.627 0.8731 y = −0.2691x + 18.481 0.7830
7 days CR3 y = −0.0424x + 3.463 0.8255 y = −0.2913x + 20.405 0.8068
 j o u r n a l o f m a t e r i a l s p r o c e s s i n g t e c h n o l o g y 1 9 9 ( 2 0 0 8 ) 108–118
Fig. 3 – Effect of waste rubber replacement on fc of mortar
at 7 days.
content of 13, 34 and 50%, respectively, compared to control
mortar. The other mixture series of percent mean decrease in
fc at 7 days were 10, 20, 30 and 50% at waste rubber content
of 23, 50, 60 and 64%, respectively, compared to control mor-
tar. The mean of corresponding first mixture series decreases
in fc at 28 days was 10, 35 and 48% at WR content of 15, 30
and 45%, respectively, compared to control mortar. The mean
of other mixture series decreases in fc at 28 days was 30, 57,
66.5 and 73% at WR content of 10, 20, 30 and 50%, respec-
tively, compared to control mortar. It was observed that the
decrease in fc of waste rubber was greater in the coarse rub-
ber (1–4 mm) in mortars compared to those produced with fine
rubber (0–1 mm).
4. Artificial neural network
Artificial neural networks are a functional abstraction of the
biological neural structures of the central nervous system
(Anderson, 1983; Gunaydın and Dogan, 2004; Arbib, 1995;
Öztaş et al., 2006). Artificial neural network (ANN) can exhibit
a surprising number of the characteristics of human brain,
e.g., learning from experience and generalizing from previous
examples to solve new problems (Öztaş et al., 2006). The first
studies on ANN are supposed to have started in 1943. McCul-
loch and Pitts defined artificial neurons for the first time and
developed a cell model as shown in Fig. 5 (Anderson, 1983;
Gunaydın and Dogan, 2004; Arbib, 1995; Öztaş et al., 2006; Pala
Fig. 4 – Effect of waste rubber replacement on fc of mortar
at 28 days.
111
Fig. 5 – A simple neuron model.
et al., 2007; Liu et al., 2002; Akkurt et al., 2003). Afterwards,
as a second hit, in 1958 Frank Rosenblatt devised a machine
called the perceptron that operated much in the same way as
the human mind. As a result of these studies, together with
the developments in computer technology, use of ANNs has
become more efficient after 1980 (Öztaş et al., 2006; Pala et al.,
2007; Liu et al., 2002; Akkurt et al., 2003).
An artificial neuron is composed of five main parts:
inputs, weights, sum function, activation function and out-
puts. Inputs are information that enters the cell from other
cells of from external world. Weights are values that express
the effect of an input set or another process element in the pre-
vious layer on this process element. Sum function is a function
that calculates the effect of inputs and weights totally on this
process element. This function calculates the net input that
comes to a cell (Anderson, 1983; Gunaydın and Dogan, 2004;
Arbib, 1995; Öztaş et al., 2006; Pala et al., 2007). The weighted
sums of the input components (net)j are calculated by using
Eq. (1) as follows:

n
(net)j = wij xi + b (1)
i=1
where (net)j is the weighted sum of the j. neuron for the input
received from the preceding layer with n neurons, wij is the
weight between the j. neuron in the preceding layer, xi is the
output of the i. neuron in the preceding layer (Liu et al., 2002).

b a fix value as internal addition and represents sum func-
tion. Activation function is a function that processes the net
input obtained from sum function and determines the cell
output. In general for multilayer receptive models as the acti-
vation function (f (.)) sigmoid function is used. The output
of the j. neuron (out)j is calculated employing Eq. (2) with a
sigmoid function as follows (Anderson, 1983; Gunaydın and
Dogan, 2004; Arbib, 1995; Öztaş et al., 2006; Pala et al., 2007;
Liu et al., 2002; Akkurt et al., 2003; Mukherjee and Biswas, 1997;
Hopfield, 1982; Topçu and Sarıdemir, in press, 2007):
1
(out)j = f (net)j = (2)
1 + e−˛(net)j
where ˛ is a constant used to control the slope of the semi-
linear region. The sigmoid non-linearity activates in every
layer except in the input layer (Liu et al., 2002). The sigmoid
function represented by Eq. (2) gives outputs in (0, 1). If it
desired, the outputs of this function can be adjusted to (−1,
112 j o u r n a l o f m a t e r i a l s p r o c e s s i n g t e c h n o l o g y 1 9 9 ( 2 0 0 8 ) 108–118

1) interval. As the sigmoid processor represents a continu-

ous function it is especially used in non-linear descriptions.
Because its derivatives can be determined easily with regard
to the parameters within (net)j variable (Arbib, 1995; Öztaş
et al., 2006; Pala et al., 2007; Liu et al., 2002; Akkurt et al.,
2003; Mukherjee and Biswas, 1997; Hopfield, 1982; Topçu and
Sarıdemir, in press, 2007).
Neuro-computing architectures can be built into physical
hardware or neuro-software that can think and act intelli-
gently like human beings. The back propagation is one of the
most popular learning algorithms. Accordingly, for a given
input pattern, a flow of activation is forwarded from the
input layer to the output layer via the hidden layer(s). Then
the errors in the output are initiated. The neural network
based modeling process includes five main aspects: (a) data
acquisition, analysis and problem representation; (b) archi-
tecture determination; (c) learning process determination; (d)
training of the networks; and (e) testing of the trained net-
work for generalization evaluation (Pala et al., 2007; Topçu
and Sarıdemir, 2007). After these processes are carried out,
ANN can supply meaningful answers even when the data to
be processed include errors or are incomplete and can pro-
cess information extremely rapidly when applied to solve
engineering problems (Topçu and Sarıdemir, 2007; Lippman,
1988).
4.1. Neural network model structure and parameters
This paper a multilayered feed forward neural network with
a back propagation algorithm was adopted. Back propagation
algorithm, as one of the most well-known training algorithms
for the multilayer perceptron, is a gradient descent technique
to minimize the error for a particular training pattern in which
it adjusts the weights by a small amount at a time (Pala et
al., 2007; Topçu and Sarıdemir, in press, 2007). The non-linear
sigmoid function was used in the hidden layers and the cell
outputs at the output layer.
In the study 50 experiment results were used in the pro-
cesses of ANN model. 33 of the experiments were used for the
training of the model and 17 were used for testing the trained
model. Six properties, D, C, S, FR, CR and W amounts, were
used in the input layer and FS and fc values of the hardened
mortar were used in the output layer. In the ANN model, as
seen in Fig. 6, two unit hidden layers were selected. In the first
hidden layer 7 and in the second hidden layer 5 cells were
determined. The non-linear sigmoid function was used in the
hidden layer and the cell outputs at the output layer. Momen-
tum rate and learning rate values were determined and the
model was trained through iterations. The trained model was
only tested with the input values and the results found were
close to experiment results. The values of parameters used in
this research are as follows:
Fig. 6 – The system used in the neural network model.
• learning rate = 0.80
• error after learning = 0.00028
• learning cycle = 6.000.
5. Fuzzy logic inference system
The concept of “fuzzy set” was preliminarily introduced by
Zadeh (1967), who pioneered the development of fuzzy logic
(FL) replacing Aristotelian logic which has two possibilities
only. FL concept provides a natural way of dealing with prob-
lems in which the source of imprecision is the absence of
sharply defined criteria rather than the presence of random
variables. Herein, uncertainties do not mean random, prob-
abilistic and stochastic variations, all of which are based on
the numerical data. Zadeh has motivated his work on FL with
the observation that the key elements in human thinking
are not numbers but levels of fuzzy sets (Demir, 2005; Şen,
1998).
A general fuzzy inference system (FIS) is presented in Fig. 7.
According to Fig. 7, the system has basically four components:
fuzzification, fuzzy rule base, fuzzy output engine and defuzzi-
fication (Topçu and Sarıdemir, in press; Akkurt et al., 2004).
Moreover, input and output data can be added.
Fuzzification converts each piece of input data to degrees of
membership by a lookup in one or more several membership
functions (Akkurt et al., 2004). The base idea in FL, in fact, is the
allowance of a universal set replacing belonging to a single set
fully. Partial belonging to a set can be described numerically
by a membership function, which assumes values between
0 and 1 inclusively (Demir, 2005; Akkurt et al., 2004). Fuzzy
membership function may take many forms, but in practical
applications, simple linear functions, such as gauss or trian-
gular ones, are preferable (Akkurt et al., 2004).

• number of input layer units = 6

• number of hidden layer = 2
• number of the first hidden layer units = 7
• number of the second hidden layer units = 5
• number of output layer units = 2
• momentum rate = 0.95 Fig. 7 – The structure of a fuzzy controller.
 j o u r n a l o f m a t e r i a l s p r o c e s s i n g t e c h n o l o g y 1 9 9 ( 2 0 0 8 ) 108–118
Fuzzy rule base contains rules that include all possible
fuzzy relation between inputs and outputs. These rules are
expressed in the If-Then format. In the fuzzy approach, there
are no mathematical equations and model parameters. All the
uncertainties, non-linear relationships and model complica-
tions are included in the descriptive fuzzy inference procedure
in the form of If-Then statements (Topçu and Sarıdemir, in
press; Akkurt et al., 2004). There are basically two kinds of
fuzzy rules: Jantzen (1999). In this study, the Sugeno-type fuzzy
rules were constituted.
Fuzzy inference engine takes into consideration all the fuzzy
rules in the fuzzy rule base and learns how to transform a set
of inputs to corresponding outputs. There are basically two

kinds of inference operators: minimization (min) and product
(prod) (Akkurt et al., 2004). Jantzen (1999) points out that both
methods, in general, work well. In this study, the prod method
was employed because of its better performance.
Defuzzification converts the resulting fuzzy outputs from
the fuzzy inference engine to a number (Topçu and Sarıdemir,
in press; Akkurt et al., 2004). There are many defuzzification
methods such as weighted average (wtaver) or weighted sum
(wtsum), etc. In this study, the weighted average method was
employed.
Fuzzy inference systems are powerful tools for the sim-
ulation of non-linear behaviors with the help of fuzzy logic
and linguistic fuzzy rules (İnan et al., 2007). There are various
FIS methodologies, such as Mandani (Mandani and Assilian,
1975), Sugeno (Takagi and Sugeno, 1985). In the Sugeno-type
FIS, outcomes of fuzzy rules are characterized by function
crisp outputs (İnan et al., 2007). In Fig. 8, the inference method-
ology of a first-order Sugeno-type FIS is denoted (Jang and
Sun, 1995). From mathematical viewpoint, if F denotes a real
continuous mapping within a closed interval, then the param-
eterized non-linear mapping of a Sugeno-type FIS may be
given as Eq. (3)
m n
i=1
wi  (xj )
J=1 Ai
j
F= m n
i=1
 (x )
J=1 Ai j
j
where m denotes number of rules, n defines number of data
points, and A is the membership function of fuzzy set A.
Another important issue affecting the performance of a FIS
is the partitioning of input space. In this context, there are
several partitioning techniques, such as grid partitioning and
tree partitioning (Jang and Sun, 1995; Ross, 1995).
In this study, the error arose during the training and testing
can be expressed as a root-mean-squared (RMS) error and is
Fig. 8 – Inference methodology of first-order Sugeno-type
model with two fuzzy rules.
113
calculated (Pala et al., 2007) by using Eq. (4)

1
RMS = |ti − oi |2 (4)
p
i
In addition, the absolute fraction of variance (R2 ) and mean
absolute percentage error (MAPE) are calculated (Pala et al.,
2007) by using Eqs. (5) and (6).
 2
(t − oi )
i i
2
R =1−  2 (5)
(oi )
i

 ti − oi 
MAPE =   × 100 (6)
o i
where t is the target value, o is the output value, p is the pat-
tern.
5.1. Fuzzy logic inference system model
The compact graphical form, which represents a fuzzy rule
based system, is named fuzzy associate memory table. In the
rule base, fuzzy variables were connected with “prod” (fuzzy
and) operators and rules were associated using “max–min”
decomposition technique. Moreover, training continued for
over 100 epochs and process terminated by the observation
of the stability in error reduction. The membership functions
of the training data set for the input variables of FS and fc are
of the triangular type and premise parameter sub-spaces were
determined by using clustering of the training data set. Thus,
for the FS and fc 33 and 27 rules are, respectively, obtained as
in the following:
Ri : If (D is Dmfi ) and (C is Cmfi ) and (S is Smfi ) and (FR is
FRmfi ) and (CR is CRmfi ) and (W is Wmfi ), then (FS is FSmfi )
i = 1, 2, . . ., 33.
Ri : If (D is Dmfi ) and (C is Cmfi ) and (S is Smfi ) and (FR is
(3) FRmfi ) and (CR is CRmfi ) and (W is Wmfi ), then (fc is fc mfi ) i = 1,
2, . . ., 27.
In the study, 50 experiment results were used in the pro-
cesses of Sugeno-type FIS model in FL system model. Six
properties, D, C, S, FR, CR and W amounts, were used in the
input layer and FS and fc values of the hardened mortar were
used in the output layer. In order to apply the Sugeno-type
FIS model in FL system, it is necessary to divide the FS and fc
results that determined from experimental studies into train-
ing and testing parts. Herein, 33 of experiment results were
used for training whereas 17 ones were employed for testing.
Triangular-type membership functions were used, so as to run
Sugeno-type FIS. All of the proposed membership functions in
this study consist of six inputs and one output. The member-
ship function plots of input variables used in the training of
FS and fc are shown in Figs. 9 and 10, respectively.
The compact graphical, which represents a fuzzy rule-
based system, is called fuzzy associate memory table. Fig. 11
based on the results of prediction runs of the model shows the
effects of two factors at a time on each surface plot of the FS.
The effects of D, C, S, FR and CR on FS are shown in Fig. 11.
As it can be seen in Fig. 11b–d, increasing FR and CR lead to
a gradual decrease of FS at all levels of S. Fig. 12 based on the
114 j o u r n a l o f m a t e r i a l s p r o c e s s i n g t e c h n o l o g y 1 9 9 ( 2 0 0 8 ) 108–118

Fig. 9 – Membership functions of input variables for FS.

results of prediction runs of the model shows the effects of
two factors at a time on each surface plot of the fc . As it can
be seen in Fig. 12b–d, increasing FR and CR lead to a gradual
decrease of fc at all levels of S. In short, increasing FR and CR
lead to a gradual decrease of FS and fc .
6. Neural network and fuzzy logic
inference system flexural strength results
The FS values obtained from the training and testing in ANN
model and experiments can be seen in Tables 3 and 4 and
Fig. 13. As it can be seen in Tables 3 and 4 and Fig. 13, the values
reached from ANN are very closer to the experimental results.
While the statistical values RMS, R2 and MAPE from training in
ANN model were found as 0.0781, 99.95% and 1.9655%, respec-
tively, these values were found in testing as 0.2746, 99.36% and
7.6231%, respectively. Also, the statistical values for FS val-
ues found from training and testing in ANN model as RMS, R2
and MAPE are also given in Table 5. Similarly, the FS values
obtained from the training and testing in Sugeno-type infer-
ence model and experiments can be seen in Tables 3 and 4 and
Fig. 13. As it can be seen in Tables 3 and 4 and Fig. 13, the values
reached from Sugeno-type inference model are very closer to
the experimental results. While the statistical values RMS, R2
and MAPE from training in Sugeno-type inference model were

Fig. 10 – Membership functions of input variables for fc .

 j o u r n a l o f m a t e r i a l s p r o c e s s i n g t e c h n o l o g y 1 9 9 ( 2 0 0 8 ) 108–118 115

Fig. 11 – Some inputs with FS surface: (a) combined effects day and cement on FS; (b) combined effects sand and fine rubber
on FS; (c) combined effects sand and coarse rubber on FS; (d) combined effects fine rubber and coarse rubber on FS.

found as 0.0010, 99.99% and 0.0226%, respectively, these values

were found in testing as 0.2227, 99.58% and 6.6149%, respec-
tively. In Sugeno-type inference model training and testing of
RMS, R2 and MAPE errors are listed on Table 5. All the statisti-
cal values in Table 5 demonstrate that the proposed ANN and
FL models are suitable and predict the FS values very close to
the experimental values.
7. Neural network and fuzzy logic
inference system compressive strength results
The fc values obtained from the training and testing in ANN
model and experiments can be seen in Tables 3 and 4 and
Fig. 14. As it can be seen in Tables 3 and 4 and Fig. 14, the values

Fig. 12 – Some inputs with fc surface: (a) combined effects cement and day on fc ; (b) Combined effects sand and fine rubber
on fc ; (c) combined effects sand and coarse rubber on fc ; (d) combined effects coarse rubber and fine rubber on fc .
116 j o u r n a l o f m a t e r i a l s p r o c e s s i n g t e c h n o l o g y 1 9 9 ( 2 0 0 8 ) 108–118

Table 3 – Comparison of experimental results with Table 4 – Comparison of experimental results with
training results obtained from ANN and FL models testing results obtained from ANN and FL models
Experimental ANN model FL model Experimental ANN model FL model

FS fc FS fc FS fc FS fc FS fc FS fc

28 days 28 days
4.10 25.31 4.07 24.63 4.10 25.31 4.40 27.66 4.03 29.03 4.59 28.39
4.00 24.38 4.06 25.07 4.00 24.37 3.60 18.41 3.56 17.27 3.41 20.68
3.70 17.45 3.63 17.42 3.70 17.45 3.30 14.91 3.04 13.40 2.83 17.10
3.00 13.72 3.05 13.62 3.00 13.71 5.30 23.73 5.57 24.76 5.45 25.89
6.50 32.40 6.36 33.36 6.50 32.40 3.70 9.94 3.57 10.60 3.76 10.70
5.10 22.02 5.17 22.02 5.10 22.02 3.10 7.58 2.82 8.30 2.92 7.82
4.50 15.42 4.64 15.20 4.50 15.42 3.90 24.25 4.17 21.11 4.07 24.50
4.20 14.06 4.25 13.80 4.20 14.06 2.70 10.25 3.16 10.16 2.89 10.72
3.90 11.81 3.84 11.16 3.90 11.81 2.30 8.73 2.20 8.25 2.57 9.11
3.10 8.17 3.12 8.95 3.10 8.17
7 days
4.50 31.50 4.60 31.02 4.50 31.50
4.00 22.44 4.04 22.63 3.96 21.13
4.30 19.63 4.18 19.69 4.30 19.63
3.00 13.22 3.10 13.28 3.02 15.39
3.00 12.88 3.05 12.80 3.00 12.87
3.90 18.75 4.04 17.36 3.98 19.14
3.35 12.40 3.38 12.42 3.35 12.40
3.40 12.56 3.42 12.00 3.29 11.16
3.00 10.85 2.97 10.60 3.00 10.85
2.40 8.42 2.51 9.62 2.12 6.92
1.90 9.78 1.95 9.48 1.90 9.78
3.40 16.20 2.88 15.76 3.59 19.43
7 days 2.40 10.38 1.94 9.54 2.35 11.00
4.30 4.10 4.28 25.21 4.30 25.88 1.60 7.35 1.90 9.19 2.07 8.78
4.10 4.00 4.06 22.96 4.10 22.53
3.50 3.70 3.36 15.86 3.50 15.55
3.60 3.00 3.67 18.18 3.60 18.59
2.80 6.50 2.76 12.20 2.80 12.54
4.40 5.10 4.34 23.06 4.40 23.23
3.80 4.50 3.94 16.89 3.80 17.50
3.30 4.20 3.19 11.66 3.30 11.25
3.00 3.90 2.86 9.36 3.00 8.94
2.70 3.10 2.70 9.73 2.70 9.58
2.50 4.50 2.52 8.29 2.50 8.83
3.80 4.30 3.78 21.29 3.80 20.94
3.10 3.00 3.01 15.79 3.10 15.82
2.00 3.35 2.11 9.73 2.00 10.05
1.90 3.00 1.88 7.75 1.90 7.50
2.15 1.90 2.13 8.74 2.15 9.07
1.70 4.10 1.62 7.92 1.70 7.78

Fig. 13 – Comparison of the experimental results of FS with

the results of ANN and FL.

Table 5 – The FS statistical values of proposed ANN and FL models

Statistical parameters ANN FL

Training set Testing set Training set Testing set

RMS 0.0781 0.2746 0.0010 0.2227

R2 0.9995 0.9936 0.9999 0.9958
MAPE 1.9655 7.6231 0.0226 6.6149

Table 6 – The fc statistical values of proposed ANN and FL models

Statistical parameters ANN FL

Training set Testing set Training set Testing set

RMS 0.4212 1.2257 0.0033 1.5325

R2 0.9994 0.9943 0.9999 0.9911
MAPE 2.4463 7.3044 0.0132 9.3129
 j o u r n a l o f m a t e r i a l s p r o c e s s i n g t e c h n o l o g y 1 9 9 ( 2 0 0 8 ) 108–118
Fig. 14 – Comparison of the experimental results of fc with
the results of ANN and FL.
reached from ANN are very closer to the experimental results.
While the statistical values RMS, R2 and MAPE from training in
ANN model were found as 0.4212, 99.94% and 2.4463%, respec-
tively, these values were found in testing as 1.2257, 99.43%
and 7.3044%, respectively. Also, the statistical values for fc val-
ues found from training and testing in ANN model as RMS, R2
and MAPE are also given in Table 6. When the values reached
from the training and testing in ANN model in terms of sta-
tistical values evaluated, all the values are very closer to the
experimental results. Similarly, the fc values obtained from
the training and testing in Sugeno-type inference model and
experiments can be seen in Tables 3 and 4 and Fig. 14. As it can
be seen in Tables 3 and 4 and Fig. 14, the values reached from
Sugeno-type inference model are very closer to the experi-
mental results. While the statistical values RMS, R2 and MAPE
from training in Sugeno-type inference model were found as
0.0033, 99.99% and 0.0132%, respectively, these values were
found in testing as 1.5325, 99.11% and 9.3129%, respectively.
The RMS, R2 and MAPE errors of the results reached from the
training and testing in Sugeno-type inference model are listed
in Table 6. When the values reached from the training and
testing in Sugeno-type inference model in terms of statistical
values were evaluated, all the values were very closer to the
experimental results.
8. Conclusion
• As the amount of waste rubber used in mortar replac-
ing sand increases, the hardened flexural strength values
decreases. Flexural strength values decreases in coarse rub-
ber mortars compared to the fine rubber ones.
• As a result of the increase in the amount of waste rubber
used replacing sand, the compressive strength of waste rub-
ber mortar decreases excessively. These values decrease in
recycled coarse rubber mortars compared to the recycled
fine rubber ones.
• In order to predict the flexural strength and compres-
sive strength values of the waste rubber mortars without
attempting any experiments, models were constructed by
ANN and FL method. The models were trained with input
117
and output data. Using only the input data in trained models
flexural strength and compressive strength values of hard-
ened concrete were found. The values are very closer to the
experimental results obtained from both methods.
• As a result, it was shown that, flexural strength and com-
pressive strength values of the waste rubber mortars can be
predicted in ANN and FL models in a quite short period of
time with tiny error rates.
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