Introduction:

This experiment was conducted to verify the effectiveness of the ACI Trial Batch Method of Mix
Proportioning. The method was tested by preparing 3x6 in. cylindrical specimens using the Trial Batch
Method, and testing them later to evaluate their compressive strength. The calculations and work sheets
attached with this document comply with the methods in the ACI Trial Batch Method of Mix
Proportioning.

Materials & Equipment:

Procedure
The data sheet summarizing of the calculation of the concrete mix is included in the appendix of this
report as well as the procedure followed to obtain those values.

Mix 1 for our group (group 4) was prepared as follows:

1) These materials were weighed out
a) 6.75 lb cement
b) 3.36 lb water
c) 30 lb fine aggregate
d) 30 lb coarse aggregate
2) The materials were hand mixed in a pan, using:
a) All the cement
b) All the water
c) 16.41 lb fine aggregate
d) 11.6 lb coarse aggregate
3) The slump was determined using a slump cone filled in three lifts which are rodded 25 times each.
4) A slump of 2.75 was measured, and the concrete was cast into six 3x6 cylinders

Mix 2 for our group was prepared as follows:

1) These materials were weighed out
a) 7.29 lb cement
b) 2.99 lb water
c) 30 lb fine aggregate
d) 30 lb coarse aggregate
2) The materials were hand mixed in a pan, using:
a) All the cement
b) All the water
c) 16.9 lb fine aggregate
d) 11.6 lb coarse aggregate
3) The slump was determined using a slump cone filled in three lifts which are rodded 25 times each.
4) A slump of 1.75 was measured, and the concrete was cast into six 3x6 cylinders

Once the cylinders had cured, they were tested along with the cylinders casted by the other four groups.
The testing was done by creating a flat surface on the cylinders top and bottom, and then testing its
compressive strength with the compression machine. The table showing the measured compressive
strength for all the cylinders is attached in the appendix.
Discussion

The calculated ACI mixes used to produce the initial mixes were very close to the actual proportions of
the mixes after they were adjusted to obtain the desired slump. For our group (Group 4), Mix 1 was
changed by adding 1 lb each of Fine and Coarse Aggregate, while Mix 2 was changed by adding 0.42
lb cement and 0.2 lb water.

The ultimate compressive strength of all the specimens was higher than the expected values outlined by
the ACI table.

When comparing the predicted properties of the ACI mixes to actual measurements of the strength of
the specimens made with the actual proportions, the measured strength of the specimens were
consistently higher than predicted, with the exception of the specimens that were cured at 50% RH,
which was 5.4% under the predicted strength. Some mixes were reasonably close to the predicted value
for strength, but most were at least 25% stronger than predicted

This may be due to the fact that testing small specimens yields higher strength measurements compared
to large samples. Also our specimens were cured under controlled conditions with 100% RH. Concrete
cured under these ideal conditions gain strength at a faster rate than concrete that is cured under normal
conditions.

The specimens from Group 4s Mix 2 were cured at 50% RH and its measured strength was 5.4% under
the strength predicted in the ACI tables. These results were much closer to the predicted strength by
ACI compared to the specimens cured in the fog room at 100% RH. This suggests that ACI predictions
of concrete strength assume that the concrete is not cured in ideal conditions.

Conclusion

It could not be totally verified whether the ACI Trial Batch Method is effective, because our data was
obtained using concrete cured under ideal conditions in a fog room.

Concrete cured under ideal humidity (100% RH) yields higher strength concrete compared to concrete
cured at lower humidity, as evidenced in the data.

Therefore, the Trial Batch Method may be more accurate in normal applications of concrete.
Furthermore, conservative estimates for the strength of concrete allows for confidence in using
concrete for construction and other applications where strength is required.
Summary of Mix 1 Calculations (shown in concrete mix worksheet)

Specified
Slump: 3
Strength: 4000 psi
% Air: 3% (Table 9.2)
Water Content: 385 lb/yd3 (Table 9.2)
w/c ratio: 0.57 (Table 9.3)
Coarse Aggregate: 0.42 of total volume (Table 9.5)

Cement Content
w 385lb / yd 3
0.57
c cement
Cement Weight: 675.44 lb/yd3
675.44 lb yd 3
Cement Volume = 3.44 ft 3 yd 3
3.15 62.4 lb ft 3

Coarse Aggregate
Volume of dry rodded Coarse Aggregate= 0.42 27 ft 3 yd 3 11.34 ft 3 yd 3
Weight of Coarse Aggregate = 0.42 27 ft 3 yd 3 103 lb ft 3 1168 .02 lb yd 3
1168 .02 lb yd 3
Volume in Concrete = 7.01 ft 3 yd 3
2.67 62.4 lb ft 3

Air
3%
Volume of Air = 27 ft 3 yd 3 0.81 ft 3 yd 3
100%

Water
Water Content: 385 lb/yd3 (Table 9.2)
385 lb yd 3
Water Volume = 6.17 ft 3 yd 3
62.4 lb ft 3
Fine Aggregate
Volume of Fine Aggregate = 27 ft yd VCement VWater V Air VCA 9.57 ft yd
3 3 3 3

Weight of Fine Aggregate = 9.57 ft 3 yd 3 2.65 62.4 lb ft 3 1582.5 lb yd 3

Mix Proportions (before moisture correction)

Cement: 6.75 lb
Water: 3.36 lb
Fine Aggregate: 16.41 lb
Coarse Aggregate: 11.6 lb
Total Weight: 38.1 lb

Materials added to adjust slump

Fine Aggregate: 1 lb
Coarse Aggregate: 1 lb

Final Concrete Mix Proportions

Cement: 6.75 lb
Water: 3.36 lb
Fine Aggregate: 17.41 lb
Coarse Aggregate: 12.6 lb

Moisture Correction
Fine Aggregate: +3.71%
Weight of water added to mixture by Fine Aggregate:
3.71%
17.41lb 0.646lb
100%

Coarse Aggregate: - 0.8%

Weight of water absorbed from mixture by Coarse Aggregate:
0 .8 %
12.6lb 0.101lb
100%

Moisture Corrected Mix Proportions (SSD Conditions)

Cement: 6.75 lb
Water: 3.36lb 0.646lb 0.0101 3.91lb
Fine Aggregate: 17.41lb 0.646lb 16.76lb
Coarse Aggregate: 12.6lb 0.101lb 12.7lb
Total Weight: 40.12 lb

Moisture Corrected Water-to-Cement ratio

w 3.9lb
0.58
c 6.75lb

Unit Weight
Container Vol.: 0.200 ft3
Container Wt.: 16.6 lb
Concrete + Container: 45.4 lb
Concrete Wt.: 45.1 lb 16.5 lb = 28.8 lb
27 ft 3 28.8lb
Unit Wt.: 3
3888lb / cuyd 144lb / cuft
1 yd 0.200 ft 3

Weight Proportions in- Percent Weight of Concrete Mix in SSD Conditions

- Pounds per Cubic Foot of Concrete Mix in SSD Conditions
Cement:
6.75lb
100% 16.82%
40.12lb
Pounds per Cubic Foot
16.82%
3888lb / cuyd 653.96lb / cuyd
100%

Water:
3.91lb
100% 9.75%
40.12lb
Pounds per Cubic Foot
9.75%
3888lb / cuyd 379.43lb / cuyd
100%

Fine Aggregate:
16.76lb
100% 41.77%
40.12lb
Pounds per Cubic Foot
41.77%
3888lb / cuyd 1624.02lb / cuyd
100%

Coarse Aggregate:
12.7lb
100% 31.66%
40.12lb
Pounds per Cubic Foot
31.66%
3888lb / cuyd 1230.94lb / cuyd
100%

Mix Proportions by Volume (cuft/cuyd)

Cement:
653.96lb / cuyd
3.33cuft / cuyd
3.15 62.4lb / cuft

Water:
379.43lb / cuyd
6.08cuft / cuyd
62.4lb / cuft

Fine Aggregate:
1624.02lb / cuyd
9.75cuft / cuyd
2.67 62.4lb / cuft

Coarse Aggregate:
1230.94lb / cuyd
7.39cuft / cuyd
2.67 62.4lb / cuft

Total Volume of all Components

 cuft cuft cuft cuft cuft
Cement Water FA CA 3.33 6.08 9.75 7.39 26.55
cuyd cuyd cuyd cuyd cuyd

Air Content
Volume of Air per cubic yard of concrete:
cuft cuft cuft
27 26.55 0.45
cuyd cuyd cuyd
Percent Volume Air in concrete:
0.45cuft / cuyd
100% 1.7%
27cuft / cuyd

Cost
Cement:
653.96lb / cuyd $95.00 / ton 0.0005ton $31.06 / cuyd
lb

Water:
379.43lb / cuyd $0.20 / ton 0.0005ton $0.04 / cuyd
lb

Fine Aggregate:
1624.02lb / cuyd $9.50 / ton 0.0005ton $7.71 / cuyd
lb

Coarse Aggregate:
1230.94lb / cuyd $8.00 / ton 0.0005ton $4.92 / cuyd
lb

Cost per Cubic Yard

$31.06 + $0.04 + $7.71 + $4.92 = $43.73 per cubic yard

Cost per Ton

$43.73 / yd 3
2000lb / ton $22.49 / ton
3888lb / yd 3

Summary of Mix 2 Calculations (shown in concrete mix worksheet)

Specified
Slump: 1.5
Strength: 5000 psi
% Air: 3% (Table 9.2)
Water Content: 350 lb/yd3 (Table 9.2)
w/c ratio: 0.48 (Table 9.3)
Coarse Aggregate: 0.42 of total volume (Table 9.5)

Cement Content
w 350lb / yd 3
0.48
c cement
Cement Weight: 729.2 lb/yd3
729.2 lb yd 3
Cement Volume = 3.71 ft 3 yd 3
3.15 62.4 lb ft 3

Coarse Aggregate
Volume of dry rodded Coarse Aggregate= 0.42 27 ft 3 yd 3 11.34 ft 3 yd 3
Weight of Coarse Aggregate = 0.42 27 ft 3 yd 3 103 lb ft 3 1168 .02 lb yd 3
1168 .02 lb yd 3
Volume in Concrete = 7.01 ft 3 yd 3
2.67 62.4 lb ft 3

Air
3%
Volume of Air = 27 ft 3 yd 3 0.81 ft 3 yd 3
100%

Water
Water Content: 350 lb/yd3 (Table 9.2)
350 lb yd 3
Water Volume = 5.61 ft 3 yd 3
62.4 lb ft 3
Fine Aggregate
Volume of Fine Aggregate = 27 ft yd VCement VWater V Air VCA 9.86 ft yd
3 3 3 3

Weight of Fine Aggregate = 9.86 ft 3 yd 3 2.65 62.4 lb ft 3 1630.45 lb yd 3

Mix Proportions (before moisture correction)

Cement: 7.29 lb
Water: 2.99 lb
Fine Aggregate: 16.9 lb
Coarse Aggregate: 11.6 lb
Total Weight: 38.8 lb

Materials added to adjust slump

Cement: 0.42 lb
Water: 0.2 lb
Final Concrete Mix Proportions
Cement: 7.71 lb
Water: 3.19 lb
Fine Aggregate: 16.9 lb
Coarse Aggregate: 11.6 lb

Moisture Correction
Fine Aggregate: +3.71%
Weight of water added to mixture by Fine Aggregate:
3.71%
16.9lb 0.627lb
100%

Coarse Aggregate: - 0.8%

Weight of water absorbed from mixture by Coarse Aggregate:
0.8%
11.6lb 0.093lb
100%

Moisture Corrected Mix Proportions (SSD Conditions)

Cement: 7.71 lb
Water: 3.19lb 0.627lb 0.093 3.724lb
Fine Aggregate: 17.41lb 0.627lb 16.27lb
Coarse Aggregate: 12.6lb 0.093lb 11.69lb
Total Weight: 39.4 lb

Moisture Corrected Water-to-Cement ratio

w 3.724lb
0.48
c 7.71lb

Unit Weight
Container Vol.: 0.200 ft3
Container Wt.: 16.6 lb
Concrete + Container: 45.6 lb
Concrete Wt.: 45.6 lb 16.6 lb = 29 lb
27 ft 3 29lb
Unit Wt.: 3
3915lb / cuyd 145lb / cuft
1 yd 0.200 ft 3

Weight Proportions in- Percent Weight of Concrete Mix in SSD Conditions

- Pounds per Cubic Foot of Concrete Mix in SSD Conditions
Cement:
7.71lb
100% 19.57%
39.4lb
Pounds per Cubic Foot
19.57%
3915lb / cuyd 766.17lb / cuyd
100%

Water:
3.724lb
100% 9.45%
39.4lb
Pounds per Cubic Foot
9.45%
3915lb / cuyd 369.97lb / cuyd
100%

Fine Aggregate:
16.27lb
100% 41.29%
39.4lb
Pounds per Cubic Foot
41.29%
3915lb / cuyd 1616.50lb / cuyd
100%

Coarse Aggregate:
11.69lb
100% 29.67%
39.4lb
Pounds per Cubic Foot
29.67%
3915lb / cuyd 1161 .58lb / cuyd
100%

Mix Proportions by Volume (cuft/cuyd)

Cement:
766.17lb / cuyd
3.90cuft / cuyd
3.15 62.4lb / cuft

Water:
369.97lb / cuyd
5.93cuft / cuyd
62.4lb / cuft

Fine Aggregate:
1616.50lb / cuyd
9.70cuft / cuyd
2.67 62.4lb / cuft

Coarse Aggregate:
1161 .58lb / cuyd
6.97cuft / cuyd
2.67 62.4lb / cuft

Total Volume of all Components

cuft cuft cuft cuft cuft
Cement Water FA CA 3.90 5.93 9.70 6.97 26.50
cuyd cuyd cuyd cuyd cuyd

Air Content
Volume of Air per cubic yard of concrete:
cuft cuft cuft
27 26.55 0.45
cuyd cuyd cuyd
Percent Volume Air in concrete:
0.45cuft / cuyd
100% 1.7%
27cuft / cuyd

Cost
Cement:
766.17lb / cuyd $95.00 / ton 0.0005ton $36.39 / cuyd
lb
Water:
369.97lb / cuyd $0.20 / ton 0.0005ton $0.04 / cuyd
lb

Fine Aggregate:
1616.50lb / cuyd $9.50 / ton 0.0005ton $7.68 / cuyd
lb

Coarse Aggregate:
1161 .94lb / cuyd $8.00 / ton 0.0005ton $4.65 / cuyd
lb

Cost per Cubic Yard

$36.39 + $0.04 + $7.68 + $4.65 = $48.76 per cubic yard

Cost per Ton

$48.76 / yd 3
2000lb / ton $24.91 / ton
3915lb / yd 3