Example 2:

Concrete is required for a pavement that will be exposed to moisture in a severe

freeze- thaw environment, and accordingly air entrained is required. A specified
compressive strength, fc’ of 35 MPa is required at 28 days. A maximum size of
aggregate of 25 mm is required. Use absolute volume method for sand calculation.

Coarse aggregate properties:

Dry aggregate of 2.68 specific gravity, dry rodded bulk density of 1600 kg/m 3 and
absorption of 0.5% is used.

Fine aggregate properties:

Specific gravity of 2.64, fineness modulus of 2.8 and moisture content of 6% and
absorption capacity of 0.7% is used.

Solution:

Required compressive strength, fcr’ = 35+8.5 = 43.5 MPa

For pavement it is better to use slump of 75 mm.

For air entrained concrete, of 25 mm maximum size,

Water content = 175 kg/m3 , air content = 6% (severe exposure)

Water/cement ratio:

No data available from Table 3. However, approximately water/cement ratio =

0.39 can be used.

From Table 4 water/cement ratio = 0.5

Therefore, water/ cement ratio = 0.39

Cement content = 175 / 0.39 = 448.7 kg/m3

Coarse aggregate fraction = 0.67 ( because MS = 25 mm and FM = 2.8)

Coarse aggregate = 0.67 * 1600 = 1206 kg/m3

Fine aggregate content fraction (volume method):

 175 448.7 1206 6
F.A. fraction = 1- 1∗1000 − 3.15∗1000 − 2.68∗1000 – 100 = 0.173

Fine aggregate = 0.173*2.64*1000 = 456.7 kg/m3

Adjustment for water and aggregate:

Dry aggregate of 0.5% absorption capacity is used, but moist fine aggregate is
used. For fine aggregate:

Free moisture = 6 – 0.7 = 5.3%

Water = 175 + 0.5/100*1206 – 5.3/100* 456.7

Water = 175 + 6.03 – 24.21 = 156.82 kg/m3

Coarse aggregate = 1206 – 6.03 = 1199.97 kg/m3

Fine aggregate = 456.7 + 24.21 = 480.91 kg/m3