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Concrete Mix Design IS
Concrete Mix Design IS
aggregates for concrete to achieve target strength in structures. So, concrete mix design can
be stated as Concrete Mix = Cement : Sand : Aggregates
The concrete mix design involves various steps, calculations and laboratory testing to find
right mix proportions. This process is usually adopted for structures which requires higher
grades of concrete such as M25 and above and large construction projects where quantity of
concrete consumption is huge.
Benefits of concrete mix design is that it provides the right proportions of materials, thus
making the concrete construction economical in achieving required strength of structural
members. As, the quantity of concrete required for large constructions are huge, economy in
quantity of materials such as cement makes the project construction economical.
Concrete Mix design of M20, M25, M30 and higher grade of concrete can be calculated from
example below.
(f) Type of exposure the structure will be subjected to (as defined in IS: 456) — Mild
Maximum water content = 186 Kg (for Nominal maximum size of aggregate — 20 mm)
Shape of
Angular Angular Nil –
Aggregate
Total +3
Estimated water content = 186+ (3/100) x 186 = 191.6 kg /m3
In the present example against mild exposure and for the case of reinforced concrete the
minimum cement content is 300 kg/m3 which is less than 383.2 kg/m3. Hence cement content
adopted = 383.2 kg/m3.
As per clause 8.2.4.2 of IS: 456
Total -10%
Note 1: For every ±0.05 change in w/c, the coarse aggregate proportion is to be changed by
0.01. If the w/c is less than 0.5 (standard value), volume of coarse aggregate is required to be
increased to reduce the fine aggregate content. If the w/c is more than 0.5, volume of coarse
aggregate is to be reduced to increase the fine aggregate content. If coarse aggregate is not
angular, volume of coarse aggregate may be required to be increased suitably, based on
experience.
Note 2: For pump able concrete or congested reinforcement the coarse aggregate proportion
may be reduced up to 10%.
Hence,
Volume of coarse aggregate per unit volume of total aggregate = 0.62 x 90% = 0.558
For casting trial -1, mass of ingredients required will be calculated for 4 no’s cube assuming
25% wastage.
In this case,
Slump value = 25 mm
Mix is cohesive, workable and had a true slump of about 25 mm and it is free from
segregation and bleeding.
As mentioned earlier to adjust fresh concrete properties the water cement ratio will not be
changed. Hence
Slump value = 60 mm
Mix is very cohesive, workable and had a true slump of about 60 mm.
It virtually flowed during vibration but did not exhibit any segregation and bleeding.
An increase of 0.05 in the w/c will entail a reduction in the coarse aggregate fraction by 0.01.
Hence the coarse aggregate as percentage of total aggregate = 0.558 – 0.01 = 0.548
W/c = 0.55
Slump value = 75 mm
Mix is stable, cohesive, and workable and had a true slump of about 75 mm.
W/c = 0.45
A reduction of 0.05 in w/c will entail and increase of coarse aggregate fraction by 0.01.
W/c = 0.44