MIX DESIGN OF HIGH STRENGTH CONCRETE

The properties of a high-strength concrete-mix with a compressive strength of more than 40 MPa is greatly influenced by
the properties of aggregates in addition to that of the water-cement ratio. To achieve high strength, it is necessary to use
lowest possible water-cement ratio, which invariably affects the workability of the mix and necessitates the use of special
vibration techniques for proper compaction. In the present state of art, a concrete with a desired 28 day compressive
strength of upto 70 MPa can be made with suitably proportioning the ingredients using normal vibration techniques for
compacting the concrete mix.
Erntroy and Shacklocks Empirical Graphs: Erntroy and Shacklock have suggested empirical graphs relating the
compressive strength to an arbitrary reference number for concrete made with crushed granite, coarse aggregates and
irregular gravel. These graphs are shown in figure 1 and 2 for mixes with ordinary Portland cement and in figure 3 and 4
for mixes with rapid hardening Portland cement. The relation between water cement ratio and the reference number for
20mm and 10mm maximum size aggregates is shown in figure 5, in which four different degrees of workability are
considered. The range of the degrees of workability varying from extremely low to high corresponds to the compacting
factor values of 0.65 and 0.95 respectively
The relation between the aggregate-cement and water-cement ratios, to achieve the desired degree of workability with a
given type and maximum size of aggregate are compiled in table-1 and 2 for two different types of cements. The
limitations of these design tables being that they were obtained with aggregates containing 30 percent of the material
passing the 4.75 mm IS sieve. Thus, if other ingredients are used suitable adjustments have to be made. Aggregates
available at site may be suitably combined by the graphical method to satisfy the above requirement. In view of the
considerable variations in the properties of aggregates, it is generally recommended that trial mixes must first be made
and suitable adjustments in grading and mix proportions effected to achieve the desired results.
Table 1: Aggregate cement ratio (by weight) required to give four degrees of workability with different water cement
ratios using ordinary Portland cement

Table 2: Aggregate cement ratio (by weight) required to give four degrees of workability with different water cement
ratios using rapid hardening cement

MIX DESIGN PROCEDURE:

1.

The mean design strength is obtained by applying suitable control factors to the specified minimum strength.

2.

For a given type of cement and aggregates used, the reference number corresponding to the design strength
at a particular age is interpolated from figure 1 to 4.

3.

The water-cement ratio to achieve the required workability and corresponding to the reference number is
obtained from figure 5 for aggregates with maximum sizes of 20mm and 10mm.

4.

The aggregate-cement ratio to give the desired workability with the known water cement is obtained by
absolute volume method.

5.

Batch quantities are worked out after adjustments for moisture content in the aggregates.

Fig.1: Relation between compressive strength and reference number (Erntroy and Shacklock)

Fig-2: between compressive strength and reference number (Erntroy and Shacklock)

Fig-3: Relation between compressive strength and reference number (Erntroy and Shacklock)

Fig-4: Relation between compressive strength and reference number (Erntroy and Shacklock)

Fig-5: Relation between water-cement ratio and Reference Number

Fig-6: Combining of Fine aggregates and Coarse aggregates

Table 3: Batch Quantities per cubic metre of concrete

MIX DESIGN EXAMPLE

Design a high strength concrete for use in the production of precast prestressed concrete to suit the following
requirements:
Specified 28-day works cube strength = 50 MPa
Very good degree of control; control factor = 0.80
Degree of workability = very low
Type of cement = ordinary Portland cement
Type of coarse aggregate = crushed granite (angular) of maximum size 10mm.
Type of fine aggregate = natural sand
Specific gravity of sand = 2.60
Specific gravity of cement = 3.15
Specific gravity of coarse aggregates = 2.50
Fine and coarse aggregates contain 5 and 1 percent moisture respectively and have grading characteristics as detailed as
follows:

IS sieve size

Percentage Passing
Coarse aggregate

Fine aggregate

20mm

100

10mm

96

100

4.75mm

98

2.36mm

80

1.18mm

65

600 micron

50

300 micron
150 micron

10

DESIGN OF MIX
Mean strength = (50 / 0.80) = 63 MPa
Reference number (fig.1)= 25
Water cement ratio (fig 5) = 0.35
For a 10mm maximum size aggregate and very low workability, the aggregate-cement ratio for the desired workability
(table-1) =3.2
The aggregates are combined by the graphical method as shown in figure 6, so that 30 percent of the material passes
through the 4.75 mm IS sieve.
Ratio of fine to total aggregate = 25%
Required proportions by weight of dry materials:
Cement 1
Fine aggregates [(25/100)x3.2] = 0.8
Coarse aggregates [(75/100)x3.2)] = 2.4
Water = 0.35
If C = weight of cement required per cubic meter of concrete, then