Concrete Mix Design – M60 Grade Of

Concrete (OPC 53 Grade)

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Concrete mix design – M60 grade of concrete provided here is for reference purpose
only. Actual site conditions vary and thus this should be adjusted as per the location
and other factors.

A. Design Stipulation:
Charastaristic comprehensive Strength @ 28 days = 60 N/mm2
Maximum size of aggregate = 20 mm
Degree of workability = Collapsible
Degree of quality control = Good
Type of exposure = Severe
Minimum cement content as per is 456-2000

B. Test data for concrete ingredients

Specific gravity of cement = 3.15
Specific gravity of fly ash = 2.24
Specific gravity of microsilica = 2.21
Setting time of cement initial = 120 min, final = 185 min
Cement compressive strength =
45.21 N/mm2 @ 3 days
54.82 N/mm2 @ 7 days
69.32 N/mm2 @ 28 days
Specific gravity of coarse aggregates (ca) and fine aggregates (fa)
20 mm 2.729
10 mm 2.747
R/sand 2.751
C/sand 2.697

Water absorption
20 mm 1.540, 10mm 1.780, R/sand 3.780, C/sand 4.490

Characterstic strength @ 28 days 60 N/mm2

Target mean strength : Depend upon degree of quality control “good” and considering
(std. Dev.As 5 N/mm2)

Characteristic strength given by the relation 60 +(1.65 *5 ) = 68.25 N/mm2

C. Quantities of ingredients ( by absolute volume Method )

Actual cement used = 450 kg/cum
Actual fly ash used = 80 kg/cum
Actual microsilica used = 40 kg/cum
W/C fixed = 0.24
Absolute volume of cement = 0.143
Absolute volume of air = 0.02
Absolute vol of water. = 0.137
Absolute vol of fly ash. = 0.036
Absolute vol of microsilica = 0.018

Total volume of CA and FA used = 1.00-(0.143+0.036+0.018+0.02 +0.137)

= 0.619 Cum

D. Aggregate percent used.

20 Mm = 31, 10 mm = 25, r/sand = 34, c/sand = 10

(2.729*0.31) + (2.747*0.25) +(2.751* 0.34 )+(2.697*0.10) *0.619*1000

546+444+604+174=1768
Aggt: cement = 3.10 : 1

Mix proportion = 0.24:1:1.06:0.30:0.78:0.96

E. Abstract:
20 mm 546 kg/cum
10 mm 444 kg/cum
r/sand 604 kg /cum
c/sand 174 kg/cum
water 137 kg/cum

Admixture 1.80 % By wt of (C+F+MS) chemsonite SP 450XL-B

Cube Compressive Strength (N/mm2)

3 days = 40.98
7 Days = 57.71
28 Days = 70.96

Note: Mix design is same for crane bucket and pump concrete only admixture dosage
will fine tuned by 0.10%.
We are thankful to Deshmukh D S for submitting this very useful mix design
information to us.
Concrete Mix Design – M70 Grade of
Concrete (OPC 53 Grade)
Posted in Mix Design | Email This Post

Concrete mix design – M70 grade of concrete provided here is for reference purpose
only. Actual site conditions vary and thus this should be adjusted as per the location
and other factors.

A. Design Stipulation:
Characteristic comprehensive Strength @ 28 days = 70 N/mm2
Maximum size of aggregate = 20 mm
Degree of workability = Collapsible
Degree of quality control = Good
Type of exposure = Severe
Minimum cement content as per IS 456-2000

B. Test data for concrete ingredients

Specific gravity of cement = 3.15
Specific gravity of fly ash = 2.24
Specific gravity of microsilica = 2.21
Setting time of cement initial = 165 min, final = 270min
Cement compressive strength =
39.0 N/mm2 @ 3 days
51.0 N/mm2 @ 7 days
64.2 N/mm2 @ 28 days
Specific gravity of coarse aggregates (ca) and fine aggregates (fa)
20 mm 2.729
10 mm 2.747
R/sand 2.751
C/sand 2.697

Water absorption
20 mm 1.540, 10mm 1.780, R/sand 3.780, C/sand 4.490

Characteristic strength @ 28 days 70 N/mm2

Target mean strength : Depend upon degree of quality control “good” and considering
(std. Dev.As 5 N/mm2)

Characteristic strength given by the relation 70 +(1.65 *5 ) = 78.25 N/mm2

C. Quantities of ingredients (By Absolute Volume Method )

Actual cement used = 486 kg/cum
Actual fly ash used = 90 kg/cum
Actual microsilica used = 24 kg/cum
W/C fixed = 0.26
Absolute volume of cement = 0.154
Absolute volume of air = 0.02
Absolute vol of water. = 0.156
Absolute vol of fly ash. = 0.040
Absolute vol of microsilica = 0.011

Total volume of CA and FA used = 1.00-(0.155+0.044+0.022+0.02 +0.154)

= 0.619 Cum

D. Aggregate percent used.

20 Mm = 24, 10 mm = 36, r/sand = 20, c/sand = 20

(2.729*0.24) + (2.747*0.36) +(2.751* 0.20 )+(2.697*0.20) *0.619*1000

405+612+340+334=1691

Aggt: cement = 2.82 : 1

Mix proportion = 0.26:1:0.57:0.56:1.02:0.67

E. Abstract:
20 mm = 405 kg/cum
10 mm = 612 kg/cum
r/sand = 340 kg /cum
c/sand = 334 kg/cum
water = 154 kg/cum

Admixture 0.50 % BY WT OF (C+F+MS) ASTP-1 OF BASF

Cube Compressive Strength (N/mm2)

3 days = 49.13
7 Days = 59.57
28 Days = 81.49

Note: Mix design is same for Crane bucket and Pump concrete only admixture dosage
will fine tuned by 0.05 to 0.10%
We are thankful to Deshmukh D S for submitting this very useful mix design
information to us.
 M-20 CONCRETE MIX DESIGN
As per IS 10262-2009 & MORT&H
A-
1 Stipulations for Proportioning
1 Grade Designation M20
OPC 53 grade confirming to
2
Type of Cement IS-12269-1987
Maximum Nominal Aggregate
3
Size 20 mm
Minimum Cement Content
4
(MORT&H 1700-3 A) 250 kg/m3
Maximum Water Cement Ratio
5
(MORT&H 1700-3 A) 0.5
6 Workability (MORT&H 1700-4) 25 mm (Slump)
7 Exposure Condition Normal
8 Degree of Supervision Good
9 Type of Aggregate Crushed Angular Aggregate
Maximum Cement Content
10
(MORT&H Cl. 1703.2) 540 kg/m3
Superplasticiser Confirming
11
Chemical Admixture Type to IS-9103
A-
2 Test Data for Materials
Coromandal King OPC 53
1
Cement Used grade
2 Sp. Gravity of Cement 3.15
3 Sp. Gravity of Water 1.00
4 Chemical Admixture Not Used
5 Sp. Gravity of 20 mm Aggregate 2.884
6 Sp. Gravity of 10 mm Aggregate 2.878
7 Sp. Gravity of Sand 2.605
Water Absorption of 20 mm
8
Aggregate 0.97%
Water Absorption of 10 mm
9
Aggregate 0.83%
10 Water Absorption of Sand 1.23%
Free (Surface) Moisture of 20 mm
11
Aggregate nil
Free (Surface) Moisture of 10 mm
12
Aggregate nil
13 Free (Surface) Moisture of Sand nil
Sieve Analysis of Individual
14
Coarse Aggregates Separate Analysis Done
Sieve Analysis of Combined
15
Coarse Aggregates Separate Analysis Done
Sp. Gravity of Combined Coarse
15
Aggregates 2.882
16 Sieve Analysis of Fine Aggregates Separate Analysis Done
A-
3 Target Strength for Mix Proportioning
Target Mean Strength (MORT&H
1
1700-5) 30N/mm2
2 Characteristic Strength @ 28 days 20N/mm2
A-
4 Selection of Water Cement Ratio
Maximum Water Cement Ratio
1
(MORT&H 1700-3 A) 0.5
2 Adopted Water Cement Ratio 0.5
A-
5 Selection of Water Content
Maximum Water content (10262-
1
table-2) 186 Lit.
Estimated Water content for 25
2
mm Slump 145 Lit.
3 Superplasticiser used nil
A-
6 Calculation of Cement Content
1 Water Cement Ratio 0.5
2 Cement Content (145/0.5) 290 kg/m3
Which is greater than 250
kg/m3
A- Proportion of Volume of Coarse Aggregate & Fine Aggregate
7 Content
Vol. of C.A. as per table 3 of IS
1
10262 62.00%
2 Adopted Vol. of Coarse Aggregate 65.00%
Adopted Vol. of Fine Aggregate (
1-0.65) 35.00%
A-
8 Mix Calculations
1 Volume of Concrete in m3 1.00
3
2 Volume of Cement in m 0.09
(Mass of Cement) / (Sp. Gravity of
Cement)x1000
3 Volume of Water in m3 0.145
(Mass of Water) / (Sp. Gravity of
Water)x1000
4 Volume of Admixture @ 0% in m3 nil
(Mass of Admixture)/(Sp. Gravity
of Admixture)x1000
5 Volume of All in Aggregate in m3 0.763
Sr. no. 1 – (Sr. no. 2+3+4)
6 Volume of Coarse Aggregate in m3 0.496
Sr. no. 5 x 0.65
7 Volume of Fine Aggregate in m3 0.267
Sr. no. 5 x 0.35
A-
9 Mix Proportions for One Cum of Concrete (SSD Condition)
1 Mass of Cement in kg/m3 290
2 Mass of Water in kg/m3 145
3
3 Mass of Fine Aggregate in kg/m 696
Mass of Coarse Aggregate in
4
kg/m3 1429
3
Mass of 20 mm in kg/m 1029
3
Mass of 10 mm in kg/m 400
3
5 Mass of Admixture in kg/m nil
6 Water Cement Ratio 0.5

We are thankful to Er. Raj M. Khan for sharing this information with us on
engineeringcivil.com. We hope this would be of great significance to civil engineers.
M-25 Mix Designs as per IS-10262-2009
Posted in Mix Design | Email This Post

Dear All

Again I am back with M-25 Mix Designs as per IS-10262-2009.

Regards
Raj Mohammad Khan

M-25 CONCRETE MIX DESIGN

As per IS 10262-2009 & MORT&H
A-
1 Stipulations for Proportioning
1 Grade Designation M25
OPC 53 grade confirming to
2
Type of Cement IS-12269-1987
3 Maximum Nominal Aggregate Size 20 mm
Minimum Cement Content
4
(MORT&H 1700-3 A) 310 kg/m3
Maximum Water Cement Ratio
5
(MORT&H 1700-3 A) 0.45
6 Workability (MORT&H 1700-4) 50-75 mm (Slump)
7 Exposure Condition Normal
8 Degree of Supervision Good
9 Type of Aggregate Crushed Angular Aggregate
Maximum Cement Content
10
(MORT&H Cl. 1703.2) 540 kg/m3
Superplasticiser Confirming
11
Chemical Admixture Type to IS-9103
A-
2 Test Data for Materials
Coromandal King OPC 53
1
Cement Used grade
2 Sp. Gravity of Cement 3.15
3 Sp. Gravity of Water 1.00
4 Chemical Admixture BASF Chemicals Company
5 Sp. Gravity of 20 mm Aggregate 2.884
6 Sp. Gravity of 10 mm Aggregate 2.878
7 Sp. Gravity of Sand 2.605
Water Absorption of 20 mm
8
Aggregate 0.97%
Water Absorption of 10 mm
9
Aggregate 0.83%
10 Water Absorption of Sand 1.23%
 Free (Surface) Moisture of 20 mm
11
Aggregate nil
Free (Surface) Moisture of 10 mm
12
Aggregate nil
13 Free (Surface) Moisture of Sand nil
Sieve Analysis of Individual
14
Coarse Aggregates Separate Analysis Done
Sieve Analysis of Combined
15
Coarse Aggregates Separate Analysis Done
Sp. Gravity of Combined Coarse
15
Aggregates 2.882
16 Sieve Analysis of Fine Aggregates Separate Analysis Done
A-
3 Target Strength for Mix Proportioning
Target Mean Strength (MORT&H
1
1700-5) 36N/mm2
2 Characteristic Strength @ 28 days 25N/mm2
A-
4 Selection of Water Cement Ratio
Maximum Water Cement Ratio
1
(MORT&H 1700-3 A) 0.45
2 Adopted Water Cement Ratio 0.43
A-
5 Selection of Water Content
Maximum Water content (10262-
1
table-2) 186 Lit.
Estimated Water content for 50-75
2
mm Slump 138 Lit.
3 Superplasticiser used 0.5 % by wt. of cement
A-
6 Calculation of Cement Content
1 Water Cement Ratio 0.43
2 Cement Content (138/0.43) 320 kg/m3
Which is greater then 310
kg/m3
A- Proportion of Volume of Coarse Aggregate & Fine Aggregate
7 Content
Vol. of C.A. as per table 3 of IS
1
10262 62.00%
2 Adopted Vol. of Coarse Aggregate 62.00%
Adopted Vol. of Fine Aggregate (
1-0.62) 38.00%
A-
8 Mix Calculations
1 Volume of Concrete in m3 1.00
3
2 Volume of Cement in m 0.10
(Mass of Cement) / (Sp. Gravity of
 Cement)x1000
3 Volume of Water in m3 0.138
(Mass of Water) / (Sp. Gravity of
Water)x1000
Volume of Admixture @ 0.5% in
4 3
m 0.00134
(Mass of Admixture)/(Sp. Gravity
of Admixture)x1000
5 Volume of All in Aggregate in m3 0.759
Sr. no. 1 – (Sr. no. 2+3+4)
6 Volume of Coarse Aggregate in m3 0.471
Sr. no. 5 x 0.62
7 Volume of Fine Aggregate in m3 0.288
Sr. no. 5 x 0.38
A-
9 Mix Proportions for One Cum of Concrete (SSD Condition)
1 Mass of Cement in kg/m3 320
3
2 Mass of Water in kg/m 138
3
3 Mass of Fine Aggregate in kg/m 751
3
4 Mass of Coarse Aggregate in kg/m 1356
Mass of 20 mm in kg/m3 977
Mass of 10 mm in kg/m3 380
3
5 Mass of Admixture in kg/m 1.60
6 Water Cement Ratio 0.43

We are thankful to Er. Raj M. Khan for sharing this information with us on
engineeringcivil.com. We hope this would be of great significance to civil engineers.
M 15 Mix Designs as per IS-10262-2009
Posted in Mix Design | Email This Post

Dear All,
Here i am giving the mix designs as per IS-10262-2009 which gives to change the
procedure for calculating the concrete ingredients
Regards
Raj Mohammad Khan

M-15 CONCRETE MIX DESIGN

As per IS 10262-2009 & MORT&H
A-
1 Stipulations for Proportioning
1 Grade Designation M15
OPC 53 grade confirming
2
Type of Cement to IS-12269-1987
Maximum Nominal Aggregate
3
Size 20 mm
Minimum Cement Content
4
(MORT&H 1700-3 A) 250 kg/m3
Maximum Water Cement Ratio
5
(MORT&H 1700-3 A) 0.5
Workability (MORT&H 1700-
6
4) 25 mm (Slump)
7 Exposure Condition Normal
8 Degree of Supervision Good
Crushed Angular
9
Type of Aggregate Aggregate
Maximum Cement Content
10
(MORT&H Cl. 1703.2) 540 kg/m3
Superplasticiser
11
Chemical Admixture Type Confirming to IS-9103
A-
2 Test Data for Materials
Coromandal King OPC 53
1
Cement Used grade
2 Sp. Gravity of Cement 3.15
3 Sp. Gravity of Water 1.00
4 Chemical Admixture Not Used
Sp. Gravity of 20 mm
5
Aggregate 2.884
Sp. Gravity of 10 mm
6
Aggregate 2.878
7 Sp. Gravity of Sand 2.605
8 Water Absorption of 20 mm 0.97%
 Aggregate
Water Absorption of 10 mm
9
Aggregate 0.83%
10 Water Absorption of Sand 1.23%
Free (Surface) Moisture of 20
11
mm Aggregate nil
Free (Surface) Moisture of 10
12
mm Aggregate nil
Free (Surface) Moisture of
13
Sand nil
Sieve Analysis of Individual
14
Coarse Aggregates Separate Analysis Done
Sieve Analysis of Combined
15
Coarse Aggregates Separate Analysis Done
Sp.Gravity of Combined
15
Coarse Aggregates 2.882
Sieve Analysis of Fine
16
Aggregates Separate Analysis Done
A-
3 Target Strength for Mix Proportioning
Target Mean Strength
1
(MORT&H 1700-5) 25N/mm2
Characteristic Strength @ 28
2
days 15N/mm2
A-
4 Selection of Water Cement Ratio
Maximum Water Cement Ratio
1
(MORT&H 1700-3 A) 0.5
2 Adopted Water Cement Ratio 0.5
A-
5 Selection of Water Content
Maximum Water content
1
(10262-table-2) 186 Lit.
Estimated Water content for 25
2
mm Slump 135 Lit.
3 Superplasticiser used nil
A-
6 Calculation of Cement Content
1 Water Cement Ratio 0.5
2 Cement Content (135/0.5) 270 kg/m3
Which is greater then 250
kg/m3
A- Proportion of Volume of Coarse Aggregate & Fine
7 Aggregate Content
Vol. of C.A. as per table 3 of IS
1
10262 62.00%
2 Adopted Vol. of Coarse 65.00%
 Aggregate
Adopted Vol. of Fine
Aggregate ( 1-0.65) 35.00%
A-
8 Mix Calculations
1 Volume of Concrete in m3 1.00
3
2 Volume of Cement in m 0.09
(Mass of Cement) / (Sp.
Gravity of Cement)x1000
3 Volume of Water in m3 0.135
(Mass of Water) / (Sp. Gravity
of Water)x1000
Volume of Admixture @ 0% in
4 3
m nil
(Mass of Admixture)/(Sp.
Gravity of Admixture)x1000
Volume of All in Aggregate in
5 3
m 0.779
Sr. no. 1 – (Sr. no. 2+3+4)
Volume of Coarse Aggregate
6
in m3 0.507
Sr. no. 5 x 0.65
Volume of Fine Aggregate in
7 3
m 0.273
Sr. no. 5 x 0.35
A- Mix Proportions for One Cum of Concrete (SSD
9 Condition)
1 Mass of Cement in kg/m3 270
3
2 Mass of Water in kg/m 135
Mass of Fine Aggregate in
3
kg/m3 711
Mass of Coarse Aggregate in
4
kg/m3 1460
3
Mass of 20 mm in kg/m 1051
3
Mass of 10 mm in kg/m 409
3
5 Mass of Admixture in kg/m nil
6 Water Cement Ratio 0.5

We are thankful to Er. Raj M. Khan for sharing this information with us on
engineeringcivil.com. We hope this would be of great significance to civil engineers.

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Illustration of Mix Design of Concrete

by ISI Method
The concrete is widely used construction material. The main ingredient of the concrete is
cement, aggregates, water and admixtures. Due to the varying properties of the materials
used in concrete, the design of concrete is not an easy task. The various methods of mix
design are applied for determining the qualities & quantity of concrete. The objective of
designing a mix is to produce a concrete of required strength, durability and workability as
economically as possible. In our country, generally Indian Standard Institution (ISI) concrete
design method is preferred and hence has been discussed. The use of Indian standard
institution (ISI) concrete design method is illustrated with the aid of an example.

Anil Kumar Nanda

Associate Professor & Head Surya School of Engg. & Tech. Surya World, Rajpura
Jaspal Singh
Professor & Head Civil Engg Department PAU Ludhiana

Introduction
The selection of suitable ingredients of concrete and determining their relative amounts
with the objective of producing a concrete of the required, strength, durability, and
workability as economically as possible, is termed the concrete mix design. The
proportioning of constituents of concrete is governed by the performance of concrete in the
plastic and the hardened states. The concrete cannot be properly placed and compacted If
the plastic concrete is not workable. Therefore, the workability of concrete becomes vital.

The compressive strength of hardened concrete depends upon many factors, e.g. quality and
quantity of cement, water and aggregates; batching and mixing; placing, compaction and
curing. The actual cost of concrete is related to the cost of materials required for producing
a minimum mean strength called characteristic strength which is specified by the structure
engineer. This depends on the quality control measures, but it is a fact that the quality
control adds to the concrete cost. The extent of quality control is often an economic
compromise, and depends on the size and type of job. The cost of labor depends on the
workability of mix, e.g., a concrete mix of inadequate workability may result in a high cost of
labour to obtain a degree of compaction with available equipment. So it is obligatory to
resort to mix design for high rise/ strength structures.

Requirements of Concrete Mix Design

The requirements which form the basis of selection and proportioning of mix ingredients
are:
a) The minimum compressive strength required from structural point of view.
b) The adequate workability necessary for full compaction
c) Maximum water-cement ratio and/or maximum cement content to give adequate
durability for site conditions
d) Maximum cement content to avoid shrinkage cracking due to temperature in mass
concrete.

Factors Affecting the Choice of Mix Proportions

The various factors affecting the mix design are:

 Compressive strength

It is one of the most important properties of concrete and influences many other
describable properties of the hardened concrete. The mean compressive strength
required after 28 days, determines the nominal water-cement ratio of the mix. The
other factor affecting the strength of concrete are age, cured and degree of
compaction.
 Workability

The degree of workability required depends on three factors i.e. size of the section,
the amount of reinforcement, and the method of compaction to be used. For the
narrow and complicated section with numerous corners or inaccessible parts, the
concrete must have a high workability so that full compaction can be achieved
 Durability

The durability of concrete is its resistance to the aggressive environmental

conditions. High strength concrete is generally more durable as compared to low
strength concrete. When the high strength is not required but the conditions of
exposure are severe in such situations, high durability is vital. To meet the durability
requirement, the mix design is the necessity.
 Maximum nominal size of aggregate

The compressive strength tends to increase with the decrease in size of aggregate
whereas the workability of concrete increases with increase in maximum size of the
aggregate.
  Grading and type of aggregate

The grading of aggregate influences the mix proportions for a specified workability
and water-cement ratio. Coarser the grading, leaner will be mixed which can be
used. An important feature of a satisfactory aggregate is the uniformity of the
grading which can be achieved by mixing different size fractions.
 Quality Control

The degree of control can be judged statistically by the variations in test results. The
variation in strength results is due to lack of control of accuracy in batching, mixing,
placing, curing and testing. The lower the difference between the mean and
minimum strengths of the mix lower will be the cement-content required. The factor
controlling this difference is called as quality control.
 Mix Proportion designations

The common method of expressing the proportions of ingredients of a concrete mix

is in the terms of parts or ratios of cement, fine and coarse aggregates e.g. a
concrete mix of proportions 1:2:4 means that the mix contains one part of cement,
two parts of fine aggregate and four parts of coarse aggregate. The proportions are
either by volume or by mass. The water-cement ratio is usually expressed in mass.

Information Required For Mix Design

For the design of concrete mix, the following information is required:

 Grade of concrete
 Degree of workability
 Maximum temperature of fresh concrete
 Type of cement
 Minimum cement content
 Maximum water cement ratio
 Type of aggregates
 Maximum nominal size of aggregate
 Type of admixtures, if required
 Level of quality assurance
 Exposure condition
 Method of placing
 Degree of supervision

Materials and Methods

ISI Mix Design Method:-
Example: Present investigation includes design of concrete mix (non-air entrained) for
medium strength concrete. The guidelines given in various codes like SP: 23-1982, IS: 10262-
1982 and IS: 456-2000 has been adopted for mix design of concrete.

Table 1 Coarse aggregate

IS Sieve Analysis of coarse aggregate Percent of different Conforming to Table 2

sizes fraction (Percent passing) fractions of IS : 383-1970
 mm I II Combined
10mm 20mm
(50%) (50%) (100%)

20 100 94.6 50 47.3 97.3

10 56.2 0.40 28.1 0.2 28.3

4.75 0.60 0 0.3 0 0.3

2.36 0 0

Table 2 Fine aggregate

Fine aggregate
Is Sieve sizes
(Percent passing)

4.75 mm 96

2.36 mm 86

Conforming to grading zone II of Table 4 of IS : 383-1970

1.18 mm 61

600micron 35.5

300micron 23.5

150micron 5.5

Table 3 Adjustment required in water content and sand (Reproduced from IS: 10262-
1982: Table 6)

Adjustment required in

Change in condition
Water content percentage sand in total
percent aggregate

For decrease in water-cement ratio by

0 -1.0
(0.60-0.50) that is 0.1

For increase in compacting factor (0.9-0.8)

3 0
that is 0.10
For sand conforming to zone II of Table 4 of
0 0
IS:383

Total +3 percent -1.0

Table 4 Approximate air content corresponding to nominal maximum size of aggregate

(Reproduced from IS:10262-1982: Table 3)

Nominal maximum size of aggregate Entrapped air, as percentage

(mm) of volume of concrete

10 3.0

20 2.0

40 1.0

For the present investigation, it is required to have characteristic compressive strength 40

N/mm2. The compaction factor for the design mix is taken as 0.9. The maximum size of
aggregate is 20 mm (angular). Type of exposure moderate and degree of quality control as
very good.

Test data for materials: Cement used of 43 grade of OPC,

Company- Ultratech
Specific gravity of cement - 2.975
Specific gravity of aggregates:-
Coarse - 2.63
Fine - 2.62
Water absorption
Coarse aggregate - 0.5 percent
Fine aggregate - 1.0 percent
Free surface moisture
Coarse aggregate - nil
Fine aggregate- nil
Sieve analysis was done & results are given in Table 1 & Table 2, which satisfies the codal
requirement of IS: 383-1970

Target mean strength of concrete: Tolerance factor (t) for very good quality control
obtained from Table 2 of IS: 10262-1982 is 1.65 and standard deviation is 5.6 (obtained from
Table 1 of IS: 10262-1982). The target mean strength for the specified characteristic strength
is 40 + 5.6 x 1.65 = 49.24 N/mm2
Selection of water cement ratio: From Figure 1 of IS: 10262-1982, the free water cement
ratio required for the target mean strength of 49.24N/mm2 is 0.32. In this study, w/c ratio
for all the specimens were kept constant (0.32). This is lower than the maximum value of
0.50 prescribed for moderate exposure.

Selection of water and sand content:- From Table 5 of IS:10262-1982, for 20mm nominal
maximum size aggregate and sand conforming to grading Zone II, water content per cubic
metre of concrete = 180 kg and sand content as percentage of total aggregate by absolute
volume = 25%

For change in values in water-cement ratio, compacting factor and sand belonging to Zone II,
the following adjustment is required as given in Table 3

Therefore, required sand content as percentage of total aggregate by absolute volume =25-
1=24 percent.

Required water content = 180 + 180 x 3/100=185.40 liters/m3

Determination of cement content:-

Water cement ratio = 0.32
Water= 185.40 liters/m3
Cement=185.40/0.32=579.375kg/m3

From Table 4, for the specified maximum size of aggregate of 20 mm, the amount of
entrapped air in the wet concrete is 2 percent. Taking this into account and applying
equations:-

V= [W+C/Sc+1/p. fa/Sfa] x1/1000,

V= [W+C/Sc+1/1-p. Ca/Sca] x1/1000
Where,
V = absolute volume of fresh concrete, which is equal to gross volume (m3)
minus the volume of entrapped air,
W = mass of water (kg) per m3 of concrete,
C = mass of cement (kg) per m3 of concrete,
Sc = specific gravity of cement,
p = ratio of fine aggregate to total aggregate by absolute volume,
fa, Ca = specific gravities of saturated surface dry fine aggregate and
coarse aggregate respectively.
Sfa, Sca = specific gravities of saturated surface dry fine aggregate and
coarse aggregate respectively.
0.98m3 = [185.4+ 579.375/2.975+1/0.2975xfa/2.62]x1/1000
0.98m3 = [185.4+579.375/2.975+1/0.7025xCa/2.63]x1/1000
or fa = 467.58kg/m3
Ca = 1108.52kg/m3
The mix proportion then becomes as given in Table 5:
 Table 5 Proportion of different materials

Water Cement Fine aggregate Coarse aggregate

185.4 liters 579.375 kg 467.58 kg 1108.52 kg

0.32 1 0.81 1.91

Actual quantities required for the mix per bag: The mix is 0.32:1:0.81:1.919 (by mass). For
50kg of cement, the quantity of materials are worked out as below:
Cement = 50kg
Fine aggregate = 40.5kg
Coarse aggregate = 95.5kg
(Fraction I=47.75kg, Fraction II = 47.75kg)
(Fraction I =10mm, Fraction II = 20mm)
For water-cement ratio of 0.32, quantity of water=16 liters
Extra quantity of water to be added for absorption
in case of coarse aggregate, at 0.5 percent by mass = (+) 0.80 liters
Actual quantity of water to be added = 16.0+0.80= 16.80 liters
Actual quantity of sand required after allowing
for mass of free moisture = 40.5 kg
Actual quantity of coarse aggregate required:
Fraction I =47.75-0.385=47.365kg
Fraction II=47.75-0.385=47.365kg
Therefore, the actual quantities of different constituents required for the mix are:
Water: 16.80 kg
Cement: 50.00 kg
Fine aggregate :40.50 kg
Coarse aggregate Fraction I
: 47.365 kg
Fraction II : 47.365 kg

Conclusion

 It is obligatory to design the mix for high strength concrete.

 Design mix for a site/construction results in economy.
 By designing a mix, we can achieve the required compressive strength and
workability by consuming minimum quantity of concrete materials.
 It is suggested that all the contractors/builders should get the design mix done for
bringing quality control in construction.
Projects for which mix design was obligatory due to their high
strength or/and height.

Dubai, d Aates (UAE) to

Tallest building
World's Tallest Buildings become the world's
in Mumbai
newest tallest tower.

Modern day bridges Longest Bridge in China, 22 miles

References

 Gambhir, M.L.(1992) Concrete Manual, 4th ed., Dhanpat Rai & Sons, DELHI.
 IS: 456 (2000) Code of Practice for Plain and Reinforced Concrete, Bureau of Indian
Standards, New Delhi.
 IS: 10262 (1982) Concrete Mix Design, Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi.
  IS: 8112(1989) 43 Grade Ordinary Portland Cement Specification, Bureau of Indian
Standards, New Delhi.
 IS : 383 (1970) Specification for coarse and fine aggregates, Bureau of Indian
Standards, New Delhi.
 Jain, A.K.(2002) Reinforced Concrete, 6th ed., Nem Chand & Bros. Roorkee.
 Neville, A.M. (1994) Properties of Concrete technology, 4th ed., Longman Scientific
& Technical Essex, U.K.

NBMCW December 2011