Mix design

The selection of mix proportions is thus simply, the process of choosing suitable
ingredients of concrete and determining their relative quantities with the object of
producing as economically as possible concrete of certain minimum properties, notably
strength, durability, and a required consistency.

Cost consideration

The cost of concreting as of any other type of construction activity, is made up of the
costs of the materials plant, and labor. The variation in the cost of material arises from the
fact that cement is several times dearer than aggregate, so that, in selecting the mix
proportions, it is desirable to avoid a high cement content. The use of comparatively lean
mixes confers also considerable technical advantages not only in the case of mass
concrete where the evolution of excessive heat of hydration may cause cracking, but also
in structural concrete where a rich mix may lead to high shrinkage and cracking.

Specification

The limiting values may cover arange of properties the more usual ones are:

Minimum compressive strength necessary from structural considerations.

Maximum water/cement ratio and for minimum cement content and, in Certain
conditions of exposure a, minimum content of entrained air to give adequate durability.
Maximum cement content to avoid cracking due to the temperature cycle in mass
concrete.
Minimum density for gravity dams and similar structures.

Selection of concrete mix design

Bs method for mix design important figures.

Example

Make the concrete mix design for grade 44Mpa, by using slump of 50mm, uncrushed
aggregate of grade 20mm, specific gravity of the aggregate is 2.64, 60% fine aggregate
pass through 600um sieve, no air entrainment required, ordinary Portland cement is used?

Solution
1. Step 1:
From table 1, ordinary portaland cement and uncrushed aggregate 28days strength is
42Mpa.
From figure 2, assume w/c = 0.5, point A is the intersecting point of w/c = 0.5 and
strength of 42Mpa. We draw a line parallel to the nearest curve until it intersects the line
from 44Mpa that is point B, the need W/C = 0.48.
2. Step 2: From table 2, slump= 50mm, uncrushed aggregate. Water requirement is 180 kg/m3.
3. Step 3:
W/c=0.48, 180/c=0.48, cement= 375 kg/m3.
4. Step 4:
From figure 3, water content= 180 kg/m3 and specific gravity of 2.64, density of concrete mix is
2400 kg/m3.
Thus the total aggregate content is
2400- 375- 180= 1845 kg/m3.
5. Step 5:
From figure 5, aggregate size 20mm, slump of 50mm, w/c= 0.48, and 60% fine aggregate
passing. The fine aggregate is 32%.
Fine aggregate content= 32%(1845 kg/m3)=
coarse aggregate content= 68%(1845 kg/m3)=

592kg/m3.
1258kg/m3.

The mix
A. Water content = 180 kg/m3.
B. Cement content = 375 kg/m3.
C. Fine aggregate content = 592 kg/m3.
D. Coarse aggregate content = 1258 kg/m3.

Example
E. Make the concrete mix design for grade 30Mpa, by using slump of 60mm, uncrushed
aggregate of grade 40mm, specific gravity of the aggregate is 2.64, 40% fine aggregate
pass through 600um sieve, no air entrainment required, ordinary Portland cement is used?

Solution
1. Step 1:
From table 1, ordinary portaland cement and uncrushed aggregate 28days strength is
Mpa.
From figure 2, assume w/c = 0.5, point A is the intersecting point of w/c = 0.5 and
strength of Mpa. We draw a line parallel to the nearest curve until it intersects the line
from Mpa that is point B, the need W/C = .
2. Step 2: From table 2, slump= 60mm, uncrushed aggregate. Water requirement is kg/m3.
3. Step 3:
W/c=, /c=, cement= kg/m3.
4. Step 4:
From figure 3, water content= kg/m3 and specific gravity of 2.64, density of concrete mix is
kg/m3.
Thus the total aggregate content is
kg/m3.

5. Step 5:
From figure 5, aggregate size 40mm, slump of 60mm, w/c= , and 40% fine aggregate passing.
The fine aggregate is %.
Fine aggregate content=

kg/m3.

coarse aggregate content=

1258kg/m3.

The mix
A. Water content = kg/m3.
B. Cement content = kg/m3.
C. Fine aggregate content = kg/m3.
D. Coarse aggregate content = kg/m3.

Example 3
Make the concrete mix design for grade 20Mpa, by using slump of 30mm, uncrushed aggregate
of grade 20mm, specific gravity of the aggregate is 2.64, 80% fine aggregate pass through
600um sieve, no air entrainment required, ordinary Portland cement is used?

Assignment 3
Make the concrete mix design for grade 25Mpa, by using slump of 20mm, crushed aggregate of
grade 40mm, specific gravity of the aggregate is 2.7, 80% fine aggregate pass through 600um
sieve, no air entrainment required, ordinary Portland cement is used?