Materials Today: Proceedings 37 (2021) 3913–3920

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Materials Today: Proceedings

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A new empirical model for predicting complex modulus of asphalt

concrete materials
Mustapha Amrani a, Yassine El Haloui b,⇑, Abdelmonaim Tlidi c, Mohamed Barbachi a, Yassine Taha d
a
Laboratoire de mécanique de procédés de l’énergie et de l’environnement LMPEE, ENSA, Université Ibn Zohr, BP 1136 Agadir, Morocco
b
Ecole Marocaine des Sciences de l’Ingénieur (EMSI), 05 Lot Bouizgaren, Route de Safi, 40000 Marrakech, Morocco
c
University Cadi Ayyad of Marrakesh, GREER, National School of Applied Science-Safi, Route Sidi Bouzid, B.P. 63, 46000 Safi, Morocco
d
Mining Environment and Circular Economy program (EMEC), Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Lot 660.Hay Moulay Rachid, 43150 Ben Guerir, Morocco

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

Article history: Asphalt concrete materials are often used in the construction of pavement layers. The complex modulus
Received 28 June 2020 is one of the fundamental properties in mechanistic-empirical pavement design and analysis that can
Received in revised form 17 August 2020 describe the mechanical response of this composite material. In the present study, a new complex mod-
Accepted 25 August 2020
ulus predictive model of asphalt concrete, called 9P50F has been established. The main objective of the
Available online 14 October 2020
paper is to develop a predictive empirical equation for the Moroccan pavement design guide based on
several complex modulus tests and an existing database of asphalt concrete formulations. The proposed
Keywords:
model equation depends on the results of classical tests that related to the most significant formulation
Asphalt concrete materials
Predictive model
parameters including, stiffening effect and proportion of mineral fillers, maximum aggregate size, ratio of
Complex modulus coarse aggregates to sand, penetration point, ratio of fillers to asphalt binder, apparent density, softening
Pavement design point, and binder richness modulus. As a result, the developed model provides a higher correlation coef-
ficient (R2 = 0.873). Furthermore, based on the complex modulus measurements of twenty-one asphalt
concrete samples, by using a 2-point bending device, the goodness of fit measure for the E* predictions
indicates a very good accuracy.
Ó 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Selection and peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of The International Confer-
ence on Water Depollution and Green Energy 2019.

1. Introduction pavements, adopted by American Association of State High way

Asphalt Concrete (AC) is defined as a heterogeneous construc-
tion material that is frequently used to build road pavement layers.
In general, this material includes three phases: asphalt binder,
aggregates, and air voids [1,2]. The mechanical behavior of AC is
depending on time (frequency), temperature, and loading rate.
Several responses can characterize this material including, elastic-
ity, linear and non-linear viscoelasticity, visco-plasticity, and frac-
ture [3–5].The complex modulus (E*) is defined as a coefficient of
proportionality between stress and strain at a given frequency
and temperature [6]. It is one of the basic engineering properties
usually used to describe the viscoelastic behavior of AC. Nowadays,
the complex modulus is considered as a fundamental input prop-
erty of the Mechanistic-Empirical (M
E) design guide for flexible
⇑ Corresponding author.
E-mail address: Yassine.elhaloui@edu.uca.ac.ma (Y. El Haloui).
and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) [7].
Numerous investigations were performed to study the most
influencing factors on the complex modulus. Under small strain
amplitude and for very short loading time, the complex modulus
E* of AC is directly affected by several factors including, tempera-
ture, loading amplitude, frequency of solicitation, formulation
parameters (asphalt binder content, ratio of aggregates and fillers,
etc.). In fact, Buttlar et al. [8] showed that the increase in fillers to
bitumen ratio leads to rise the complex modulus. This latter is also
affected by the absorption, rough texture, and specific surface of
fillers due to the strengthening mechanisms of bitumen. According
to Nobakht et al. [9], the E* value increases with the aging, temper-
ature, and time. Cho et al. [10] revealed that the increase in air
voids decreased the E* values. In addition, the complex modulus
for low temperatures is greater than that for high temperatures.
Moreover, it was revealed that E* depends on cumulative retained
of aggregates, asphalt viscosity, loading frequency, and effective
asphalt content.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2020.08.646
2214-7853/Ó 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Selection and peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of The International Conference on Water Depollution and Green Energy 2019.
M. Amrani, Y. El Haloui, A. Tlidi et al.
Though, laboratory testing to obtain E* are expensive, time-
consuming, and requires advanced equipment. Therefore, using
alternative methods should be considered. Generally, excluding
the experimental tests, the complex modulus of AC mixtures can
be determined by using the following methods:
(1) Analytical equations: Several micromechanical approaches
were developed to estimate E* values of AC mixtures based
on the assumption that AC can be modeled as a
particulate-filled composite material with aggregate parti-
cles and air voids dispersed within the matrix [11–13].
(2) Rheological models: This method deals with the calibration
of the rheological model constants (predictive model of E*)
based on a reduced interval of temperatures and frequencies
and then use the model for determining E* at very extreme
conditions of them [14].
(3) Numerical modeling: numerical procedure offers the feasi-
bility for predicting of E* of AC based on the knowledge of
the mechanical behavior of each component (aggregates
and asphalt binder) [2,4].
(4) Empirical equations: the use of predictive empirical equa-
tions, to E*, is widely incorporated in design guides adopted
throughout the world. For example, the Witczak model[7] is
an empirical regression model that provides accurate esti-
mates of E* under the conditions in which they are devel-
oped in the United States. Improved version of the Witczak
model were provided by Bari et al.,[15]. The aim of this
paper was to overcome the limitations of current models
used in the M
E Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG), which
was created under NCHRP Project 1-37A and then refined
under NCHRP Project 1-40D. Christensen et al.,[16] proposed
a predictive model called Hirsch model for estimate E* of AC
through the use of asphalt binder modulus and volumetric
composition. In fact, the comparison study, conducted by
Sakhaeifar et al. [9] concluded that both NCHRP 1-40D and
Hirsh models produce inaccurate results at low and high
E* values. Cho et al., [10] developed a predictive equation
for Korea M
E pavement design manual based on the results
of complex modulus testing. The goodness of fit statistics, for
the E* predictions, indicates a very good accuracy.
2. Objectives and scopes
To the best of our knowledge, there is no predictive model to
estimate E* for Moroccan M
E pavement design manual. In addi-
tion, very few empirical models currently proposed which take
into consideration the effect of micro-scale roughness related to
the stiffening potential of mineral fillers and aggregates size
towards the variation of complex modulus.
The present research involves the use of an existing database to
develop a predictive empirical equation for determining the com-
plex modulus of AC that can be used in the Moroccan context.
The proposed model is called 9P50F (9 Parameters and 50 Formu-
lations). The database is related to the results of complex modulus
testing that represent large road construction projects and cover
the whole Moroccan territory (Table 7). To develop the 9P50F
model, several parameters were tested and only those found statis-
tically significant and uncorrelated were retained. The main contri-
bution of this paper is the determination of an empirical formula
for predicting the value of the complex modulus with regard to
the effect of asphalt binder, shape, and aggregates size. In addition
to the mineral composition and proprieties of bitumen, this model
is a function of the maximum aggregate size, the filler/bitumen
ratio, and the stiffening potential of mineral fillers. Finally, to
investigate on the predictive accuracy of the proposed model,
twenty-one AC mixtures were prepared and tested in the labora-
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Materials Today: Proceedings 37 (2021) 3913–3920
tory using the 2-point bending test. The E* measurements were
compared to those estimated by using the developed predictive
model.
3. Materials and test methods
3.1. Materials
In this study, the 21 samples of AC mixtures were fabricated by
using many types of aggregates and asphalt binders with different
properties. (i) For aggregates, three types of fine and coarse aggre-
gates were considered that are widely used for bituminous paving
mixes production in Morocco including, different geological nat-
ures: limestone, quartzite, and basalt. The mineral aggregates were
collected from different local massive rocks and ballast quarries
with almost the same crushed index, while each mixture contained
different aggregate grading compositions. (ii) For bitumen, the AC
mixtures were formulated by using two neat asphalt binders of
20/30 and 35/50 penetration grades which were acquired from
local mix asphalt supplier. The selected asphalt binders are the
most commonly used in road pavement construction in Morocco.
The tested mixtures compositions and asphalt binder properties
are given in Tables 1 and 2. Table 1 shows the geological nature
of used aggregate materials, their sieve size, the specific gravity
Gs, sand the flow coefficients of aggregates Ecs (which translates
the aggregate shape and texture characteristics of bituminous mix-
tures), values, and the contents of the fillers that were used in the
21 mixtures.
Table 2 illustrates the considered asphalt binder contents,
adopted for each mixture, and their characteristics including, pen-
etration, softening point, ductility, and relative density.
3.2. Methods
3.2.1. Proposed model
To consider the effects of the most significant formulation
parameters on the complex modulus of AC mixes, the nonlinear
multi-variable regression analysis was performed. The existing
database used in the study is listed in Table 7. The aforementioned
database contains 50 formulations of asphalt concretes and shows
the values of the complex modulus as well as the formulation
parameters including, sand flow coefficient (Ecs), stiffening poten-
tial of mineral fillers (DR&B), fillers content(f),ratio of coarse aggre-
gates (ca) to sand (s)(ca/s),asphalt binder content(b), penetration
point (P), maximum aggregates size(dmax), softening point(R&B),
apparent density of AC (qa), passing through 2 mm sieve
(<2mm), and asphalt binder richness modulus(k).
The 9P50F model is based on stepwise multiple nonlinear
regression analysis using SPSS software version 23. Unlike tradi-
tional linear regression, restricted for estimate linear models, the
nonlinear regression can produce models with arbitrary relation-
ships between independent and dependent variables. Applications
of nonlinear regression models can be found in[17–19].
The estimation process is based on the iterative Levenberg-
Marquardt algorithm, which is implemented in SPSS software. This
technique was proposed by Levenberg and Marquardt [20,21] to
resolve the nonlinear least square problems.
In order to verify the performance of the proposed model, the
analysis of variance tests was carried out. The statistical parame-
ters such as the standard deviation and the standard error of the
measured E*, coefficient of correlation (R2), and the sum of squared
errors of this model were then calculated. In this study, several sta-
tistical formulas were tested, the model retained was the one that
best fits the data (R2 > 0.8 and the model coefficients must be sta-
tistically significant). It should be noted that the data used in this
M. Amrani, Y. El Haloui, A. Tlidi et al. Materials Today: Proceedings 37 (2021) 3913–3920

investigation contains 11 formulation parameters. All these
parameters were evaluated to figure out those are statistically
significant.
3.2.2. Experimental program
To obtain the formulation parameters that will be used to vali-
date the predictive model (9P50F), several conventional experi-
mental tests were conducted on asphalt binder, aggregates, and
AC. For the asphalt binders considered in this study (20/30 and
35/50 penetration grade), Ring and Ball Softening Point (EN
1427) and penetration point at 25 °C (EN 1426) tests were carried
out. Regarding the binder richness modulus (k), which character-
izes the average film thickness of asphalt binder around the aggre-
gate surface, it was calculated using the following equation (Eq. 1):
bð% Þ ¼ kaðSÞ1=5
where, b is the asphalt binder content (%);S is the specific surface of
aggregates (m2/kg); a is a constant which equals to 2.65/MVR; MVR
represents the true specific gravity of aggregates.
For aggregates, the gradation curve of aggregates, by dry sieving
and sedimentation techniques, was obtained based on NF P94-056
and NF P94-057 test standards. To assess the shape and surface
characteristics of fine aggregates, sand flow test was carried out
according to NF EN 933–6. In addition, the stiffening potential of
mineral fillers was investigated according to NF EN 13179–1.
For asphalt concrete, 21 samples were fabricated based on the
data illustrated in Tables 1 and 2.The bulk densities of AC mixes
were determined using the geometrical procedure according to
the specifications of EN 12697–6 standard test. Regarding the com-
plex modulus measurements, it was carried out through the use of
the 2-point bending (2 PB) test (the most frequently applied in
ð1Þ Morocco) in accordance with EN 12697–26 standard. In this test,
the head of a trapezoidal specimen (glued at its base to a stand

Table 1
Mineral aggregates characteristics.

Mix Geological nature Gs Ecs (s) Gradation (wt. %)

Fillers <2 mm 0/4 mm 4/6 mm 6/10 mm 4/10 mm 10/14 mm
1 Quartzite 2.69 40 6.2 29 40 30 30
2 Limestone 2.65 35 6 32 50 25 25
3 Quartzite 2.68 36 6.6 34 50 20 30
4 Quartzite 2.66 35 6.4 32 45 30 25
5 Limestone 2.66 35 6.1 29 35 20 45
6 Quartzite 2.67 37 5.9 31 45 15 20 20
7 Quartzite 2.68 35 6 32 40 25 35
8 Quartzite 2.69 38 6.2 32 45 15 20 20
9 Limestone 2.66 37 6.7 31 45 30 25
10 Limestone 2.65 34 7.2 30 45 15 20 20
11 Quartzite 2.69 38 8.5 29 45 15 20 20
12 Limestone 2.65 39 7.3 32 45 15 20 20
13 Quartzite 2.67 33 6.5 31 45 15 20 20
14 Limestone 2.67 38 6.2 30 45 15 20 20
15 Limestone 2.64 35 6.9 29 50 20 30
16 Quartzite 2.68 36 5.9 31 50 20 30
17 Limestone 2.65 37 5.8 31 45 15 20 20
18 Limestone 2.64 36 8 32 26 34 40
19 Basalte 2.91 40 5.7 34 45 15 20 20
20 Limestone 2.67 37 5.8 31 40 30 30
21 Basalte 2.89 39 5.9 33 45 15 20 20

Table 2
Asphalt binder properties.

Mix Binder content Penetration Softening point Ductility Relative density (g/cm3)
(wt. %) (25 °C; 0.1 mm) (°C) (cm)
1 4.3 43 55.2 >100 1.044
2 4.5 22 63 >100 1.051
3 5.6 26 56 >100 1.049
4 4.65 23 57 >100 1.043
5 5.5 17 65 >100 1.052
6 5.2 47 54 >100 1.04
7 5.7 15 64 >100 1.05
8 4.4 46 53 >100 1.042
9 4.75 28 59 >100 1.047
10 5.6 22 58 >100 1.046
11 5.8 25 57.7 >150 1.05
12 5.6 41 58.8 >100 1.047
13 4.7 25 59.4 >100 1.046
14 5.5 36 61 >100 1.052
15 5.7 33 53 >100 1.042
16 5.7 26 56 >100 1.046
17 5.7 23 60 >100 1.042
18 5.8 21 59 >150 1.049
19 5.6 21 79 >150 1.051
20 5.5 25 77 >100 1.044
21 5.2 31 73 >100 1.048

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M. Amrani, Y. El Haloui, A. Tlidi et al. Materials Today: Proceedings 37 (2021) 3913–3920

fixed to a rigid chassis) with the dimensions of 56x25x25x250 mm
is submitted to a continuously compressive sinusoidal loading for a
minimum time of 30 s over a wide spectrum of frequencies (0.1 to
50 Hz) and temperatures (-10 to 40 °C) at small deformation level
(deflection set<50 micro-deformations). In this study, the retained
complex modulus values were assessed at temperature and fre-
quency of 15 °C and 10 Hz (the normalized values used in pave-
ment layers design), respectively.
The specimens were prepared to the design target air avoid con-
tent by wheel fitted with pneumatic tires using a parallelepipedal
mold of 600x400x150 mm according to EN 12697–33 standard.
The specimens were compacted until the required number of
passes was achieved. The masses of AC mixtures were determined
from the volume of the considered molds and the desired density,
while the bituminous mixtures were prepared according to EN
12697–35 standard. The specimens were stored during 14 days
before test. The experimental program can be seen in Fig. 1.
4. Results and discussion
cally not significant. Therefore, they are not considered as a basis
parameter of model analysis.
The results of the statistical analysis showed that the multiple
nonlinear regression model can be constructed from the most sig-
nificant formulation parameters as presents the following equation
(Eq. (2)):
log10 jE j ¼ b1 þ b2 log10 ðDR&BÞ þ b3 log10 P þ b4 log10 ðR&BÞ
b7 log10 f=b
þ b5 log10 q þ b6 þ
k log ca=s
þ b9 10
b8 þ log10 f=b
log dmax
þ b10 10 ð2Þ
where, bi (i = 1 to 10) are the model coefficients; E* is the estimate
complex modulus of AC (MPa); DR&B is the stiffening potential of
mineral fillers (° C);f is the fillers content by weight (%); ca/s is
the coarse aggregates (particles size > 4 mm) to sand (0/4 mm)
ratio; bis the asphalt binder content by weight (%); P is the penetra-
tion point at 25° C (0.1 mm); dmax is the maximum aggregate size

Table 3
4.1. Predictive model
Analysis of variance (ANOVAa).

The independent variables, which did not make a significant Source Sum of squares ddl Mean squares
contribution towards the prediction value of E*, have been disre- Regression 852.64 10 85.264
garded by the algorithm. The two formulation parameters (i) sand Residual 0.029 40 0.001
Uncorrected Total 852.669 50
flow coefficient (Ec) and (ii) fraction of sand less then 2 mm (pass-
Corrected total 0.228 49
ing through the 2 mm sieve), were evaluated and found statisti-

Fig. 1. 2 PB experimental device test: (a) a specimen under loading (b) an example of obtained results, (c) dimensions of sample.

3916
M. Amrani, Y. El Haloui, A. Tlidi et al. Materials Today: Proceedings 37 (2021) 3913–3920

Table 4
Estimation of model coefficients.

Coefficient estimates
Coefficient Estimate T value Standard Error 95% Confidence interval
Lower bound Upper bound
b1 2.587 12.68 0.204 2.176 2.999
b2 0.087 2.42 0.036 0.014 0.160
b3
0.505
10.98 0.046
0.598
0.413
b4
0.622
9.01 0.069
0.761
0.484
b5 1.183 3.50 0.338 0.500 1.866
b6 0.939 31.30 0.030 0.879 0.999
b7 0.051 2.04 0.041
0.031 0.133
b8
0.292
3.07 0.095
0.484
0.100
b9 0.765 24.68 0.031 0.703 0.828
b10 1.054 18.49 0.057 0.938 1.170

Table 5
The measurements of E* and formulation parameters data of the considered AC mixes.

Mix DR&B (°C) f ca/s b P dmax R&B qa k Measured E*

(%) (%) (0.1 mm) (mm) (°C) (T/m3) (MPa)
1 7 6.2 1.50 4.30 43 14 55.2 2.363 2.67 10 802
2 12 6.0 1.00 4.50 22 14 63 2.39 3.09 16 099
3 15 6.6 1.00 5.60 26 16 56 2.4 3.66 15 605
4 6.5 6.4 1.22 4.65 29 14 57 2.26 3.08 12 212
5 6.5 6.1 1.86 5.50 17 12.5 65 2.36 3.55 13 671
6 6 5.9 1.22 5.20 47 16 54 2.27 3.44 9 201
7 15 6.0 1.50 5.70 15 14 64 2.36 3.55 16 821
8 6.5 6.2 1.22 4.40 46 14 53 2.285 2.8 10 572
9 6 6.7 1.22 4.75 28 14 59 2.228 3.11 12 207
10 7 7.2 1.86 5.60 22 14 58 2.31 3.5 12 495
11 14.5 8.5 1.22 5.80 25 20 57.7 2.35 3.45 14 492
12 12.5 7.3 1.86 5.60 41 16 58.8 2.34 3.46 9 755
13 11 6.5 1.22 4.70 25 16 59.4 2.38 2.76 15 101
14 13 6.2 1.22 5.50 36 16 61 2.29 3.44 11 103
15 9.5 6.9 1.00 5.70 33 14 53 2.33 3.53 13 206
16 12 5.9 1.00 5.70 26 14 56 2.37 3.41 15 556
17 10 5.8 1.22 5.70 23 14 60 2.28 3.47 13 922
18 14.5 8.0 2.85 5.80 21 10 59 2.42 3.58 12 481
19 14.5 5.7 1.22 5.60 21 20 79 2.45 3.59 13 911
20 11 5.8 1.50 5.50 25 16 77 2.38 3.38 11 621
21 12 5.9 1.22 5.20 31 10 73 2.48 3.51 11 516

Fig. 2. Illustration of the measured and predicted E* values.

3917
M. Amrani, Y. El Haloui, A. Tlidi et al. Materials Today: Proceedings 37 (2021) 3913–3920

(mm); R&B is the softening point (° C); qa is the apparent density of The predictive model (Eq. (3)) is used to determine dynamic
asphalt concrete (T/m3); k is the asphalt binder richness modulus. modulus estimations. The parameters of formulation are inserted
From Table 3, the correlation coefficient (R2) of the model pro- in the model and then the estimated values of the complex modu-
posed in equation (Eq. (2)) is 0.873, which means that this model lus can be obtained. Fig. 2 shows the data points of the predicted
can explain over 83.7% of the variation in E*. Moreover, the regres- values of the dynamic modulus as a function of those measured.
sion model has extremely a good fitting degree since it signifi- With a coefficient of determination R2 of 0.948, an excellent corre-
cantly produces a very lower prediction error (for about 0.001). lation with measured E* values can be revealed. Consequently, it
The analysis of variance results clearly validates the concept of can be concluded that the proposed model 9P50F provides accu-
using the nine formulation parameters namely, the bitumen pene- racy estimate values of the complex modulus of AC.
tration, maximum aggregate size, coarse aggregate to sand ratio, For each sample, the value of the experimental and analytical
fillers to asphalt binder ratio, apparent density, softening point, elasticity modulus were compared and the relative difference for
binder richness modulus, stiffening potential, and proportion of each sample was calculated (Table 6). It can be revealed that the
mineral fillers to estimate the complex modulus. relative difference of almost are between the value of the esti-
In addition, Table 4 illustrates the results of the coefficient esti- mated and tested modulus remains <10%.
mations of the equation (Eq. (2)). Based on student’s t-test (T
value), it can be concluded that the independent parameters 5. Conclusion
including, DR&B, f, ca/s, b, P, dmax, R&B; qa and k have a significant
impact on the complex modulus value. In order to develop a predictive empirical equation for the com-
Therefore, replacing bi by their estimates, the equation Eq. (2) plex modulus of asphalt concrete, for the Mechanistic-Empirical
becomes as follows (Eq. (3)): design guide for flexible pavements in Morocco, experimental labo-
ratory tests, and statistical multiple nonlinear regression analyses
were performed, considering a Moroccan database of 50 asphalt con-
log10 jE j ¼ 2:587 þ 0:087:log10 ðDR&BÞ
0:505:log10 P crete mixtures. The present 9P50F model is based on nine classical

0:622:log10 ðR&BÞ þ 1:183:log10 qa þ 0:939k parameters of formulation relating to asphalt binder and aggregates.
The predictive accuracy of the proposed model was evaluated
0:051:log10 f=b

þ 0:765log10 ca=s based on the E* measurements of 21 samples of asphalt concrete,
0:292 þ log10 f=b obtained in the laboratory using a 2-point bending device under iden-
þ 1:0547log10 dmax ð3Þ tical testing conditions. It can be clearly concluded from the compar-
ison results that the proposed model provides very precise estimates.
The Eq. (3) can therefore be used for estimate the complex mod- The model makes it possible to act upstream on the most significant
ulus at temperature and frequency of 15 °C and 10 Hz, respectively. parameters to systematically guarantee the required specifications.
In practice, the complex modulus of asphalt concrete mixtures
4.2. Experimental validation remains a potentially complicated situation to manage. In fact,
pavement construction companies generally have to repeat many
In order to evaluate the efficiency and accuracy of the proposed times the formulation study before finding the minimum required
model 9P50F, 2-point bending tests were performed on 21 asphalt values of the complex modulus. One of the remedies to this prob-
concrete samples. Each sample was fabricated using different val- lem could be the introduction of the 9P50F predictive model which
ues of the formulation parameters. Table 5 lists the considered val- has been found reliable and accurate. Also, the use of this model
ues of the used formulation parameters as well as the measured has several advantages including, simplicity, rapidity, and it is an
complex modulus E*. It can be seen that the measured values of inexpensive process. It should be noted that the 9P50F model can
the complex modulus are depending on the parameters of formu- be useful for all countries that have similar experimental condi-
lation. The value of E* is varying within a fairly wide range of val- tions (2 PB test at a temperature of 15 °C and frequency of 10 Hz).
ues between 9201 and 16821 MPa. Looking forward, this study is the first step for developing var-
ious empirical equations to predict the complex modulus of
Table 6 asphalt concrete. Future studies will be extended in order to take
Relative difference between measured and estimated complex modulus values for the
into account more parameters of formulation as well as introduc-
21 samples.
ing temperature and loading frequency in the predictive model.
Measured E* (MPa) Predicted E* (MPa) Relative Difference (%)
10,802 9872 8.6 CRediT authorship contribution statement
16,099 15,089 6.3
15,605 15,146 2.9
12,212 11,557 5.4
Mustapha Amrani: Conceptualization, Validation, Writing -
13,671 13,492 1.3 original draft. Yassine El Haloui: Investigation, Writing - original
9201 9771 6.2 draft. Abdelmonaim Tlidi: Formal analysis, Software. Mohamed
16,821 16,777 0.3 Barbachi: Supervision, Methodology. Yassine Taha: Supervision,
10,572 9878 6.6
Writing - review & editing.
12,207 11,017 9.7
12,495 12,029 3.7
14,492 12,918 10.9 Declaration of Competing Interest
9755 9355 4.1
15,101 14,105 6.6 The authors declare that they have no known competing finan-
11,103 11,219 1.0
cial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared
13,206 12,881 2.5
15,556 15,435 0.8 to influence the work reported in this paper.
13,922 13,979 0.4
12,481 11,579 7.2 Acknowledgements
13,911 13,948 0.3
11,621 11,669 0.4
This research did not receive any specific grant from funding
11,516 11,385 1.1
agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.
3918
M. Amrani, Y. El Haloui, A. Tlidi et al. Materials Today: Proceedings 37 (2021) 3913–3920

Appendix A

Table 7
Moroccan existing database.

Mix Ecs (s) DR&B (°C) f (%) ca/s b (%) P (0.1 mm) dmax (mm) R&B (°C) qa(T/m3)) <2 mm (wt%) (k) Measured E* (MPa)
1 39 6 5.2 1.22 5.7 25 16 58.4 2.51 29 3.8 14 619
2 38 12 5.1 1.5 5.8 20 14 58 2.4 26 3.88 14 844
3 39 5 5.4 1.5 5.8 21 14 58 2.44 28 3.72 14 130
4 38 14 6 1.22 5.8 26 14 52 2.31 32 3.48 13 260
5 37 14 7 1 5.6 28 14 51.5 2.35 32 3.51 13 800
6 37 12 6.4 0.82 5.8 28 14 58 2.35 34 3.66 15 389
7 35.5 12.9 6.1 0.82 5.8 28 16 57 2.37 31 3.67 15 205
8 43 15 7.2 0.82 5.8 27 16 59 2.31 33 3.66 15 391
9 41 12.5 5.6 1 5.6 25 14 59.5 2.35 33 3.54 15 396
10 36 12 7.3 1.22 5.8 22 20 59 2.45 34 3.53 15 113
11 40 11.6 5.4 1 5.6 22 14 58 2.29 25 3.71 14 288
12 40 6 5.2 1.22 4.5 46 16 52 2.36 29 3 11 324
13 33 10 5.1 1 4.6 25 14 59.5 2.43 30 2.99 17 346
14 38 5.5 7.3 1.22 4.8 41 20 53 2.26 33 2.92 9 143
15 34 13.2 5.4 1 5.6 23 16 56.8 2.33 27 3.7 15 221
16 38 13 6 1.22 5.7 23 14 57.5 2.39 28 3.69 15 326
17 35 13.9 5.4 1.5 5.7 24 16 58 2.33 27 3.69 15 028
18 38 12 7 2.33 5.7 23 14 58 2.41 33 3.57 13 357
19 34 14.5 5.8 1.22 5.7 22 14 58 2.39 30 3.5 16 322
20 35 13.9 6.5 1 5.8 24 12.5 57.8 2.33 25 3.63 14 239
21 36 12.8 6.2 1.7 5.8 22 10 56.8 2.33 29 3.66 14 535
22 38 12.5 7.7 1.264 5.3 23 20 75.2 2.47 28 3.47 12 092
23 35 13 5.8 1.227 5.1 24 14 79.8 2.42 26 3.45 12 021
24 36 12 5.8 1.222 5.2 29 20 72 2.45 26 3.53 11 629
25 35 13.5 5.7 1.227 5.2 29 20 77 2.41 30 3.59 10 822
26 38 11.5 5.7 1.222 5.4 29 14 76 2.42 27 3.71 11 718
27 38 12 5.3 1.222 5.2 34 15 68 2.33 28 3.32 12 298
28 35 15 5.6 1.381 5.5 28 15 67 2.38 34 3.44 11 142
29 33 12 6.3 1.222 5.7 27 12.5 61 2.41 34 3.65 12 415
30 40 13.5 4.9 1.222 5.4 28 15 78.4 2.38 31 3.46 12 440
31 37 12 4.8 1.564 5.5 20 16 80 2.43 35 3.68 12 855
32 37 11 6.7 1.375 5.7 18 10 96 2.24 30 3.5 10 855
33 39 5 5.6 1.222 5.6 21 10 58 2.18 35 3.54 12 835
34 38 10 6 2.334 5.6 26 10 78 2.32 28 3.59 9 405
35 35 15 5.8 0.923 4.4 20 16 60 2.45 32 2.8 17 844
36 36 12 6.4 1.222 5.8 23 16 59.5 2.36 31 3.49 15 868
37 40 11.5 6.9 1.222 5.6 20 14 59 2.45 31 3.63 14 957
38 39 12 4.5 1.703 5.2 27 16 81 2.4 31 3.62 10 057
39 40 13 4.6 1.222 5.6 23 16 69 2.46 30 3.5 15 618
40 34 14.5 8.9 0.818 5.8 24 14 57.8 2.32 30 3.57 13 757
41 34 12.8 6.4 1.703 5.8 22 20 56.8 2.33 30 3.66 14 535
42 36 11 4.6 1.222 5.5 40 12.5 52 2.3 29 3.52 10 930
43 33 10 5 3 4.2 40 16 52 2.31 35 2.7 10 104
44 37 14 6.4 1.83 6.2 15 14 69.3 2.29 33 3.68 14 358
45 37 15 6.7 1.8 5.8 11 14 80 2.29 34 3.46 14 361
46 37 13 6.2 1.22 5.5 25 10 56.6 2.19 29 3.66 12 673
47 33 12 4.7 1.22 5.6 22 16 63 2.24 34 3.59 15 300
48 38 14 5.9 1.22 5.6 24 14 62.5 2.41 29 3.55 14 443
49 35 14 5.5 1.22 5.4 24 14 62.5 2.41 34 3.55 14 443
50 35 14.5 6 1.22 5.8 23 16 62 2.34 33 3.67 15 814

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