Mix Design

Basics
 Mix Design Goals
adequate workability
adequate strength
adequate durability
minimum cost
 Cost of Materials

crushed stone = P 800/m3

concrete sand = P 600/m 3

Type I cement = P 2250/m 3

Minimum Cost = Minimum Cement

 Minimizing Cement

minimize the void space between

the aggregate particles

minimize the surface area of the

aggregate particles
Minimizing Void Space
Minimizing Surface Area
Minimizing Surface Area
Minimizing Surface Area
Obtaining Good Workability

Need enough
mortar to keep all
the gravel particles
apart.
Inside Concrete
Obtaining Good Workability

Need enough
cement paste to
lubricate all the
sand grains.
Inside Concrete
Obtaining Good Workability

Need enough
mixing water to
lubricate all the
cement grains.
Obtaining Good Workability

Air entrainment
adds lubrication
without adding
additional water.
 Obtaining Good Strength
Sources of
Strength

Cement Cement/Aggregate Aggregate

Paste Bond Particles
 Obtaining Good Strength
1. aggregate strength is usually not a factor
in normal concrete
2. bond strength is not a factor if the bond
area is high enough
3. cement strength dictates concrete
strength in most cases
 Obtaining Good Durability
Sources of
Deterioration

Alkali-Silica Freeze-Thaw Sulfate

Reaction Cycles Attack
 Economical Mix Design
1. use as little cement as possible
minimize cost

2. use as little water as possible

maximize strength, avoid bleeding & segregation

3. use the largest gravel possible

minimize surface area to minimize cement, water

4. use a dense sand-gravel blend

minimize void space to minimize cement, water