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Consider one cubic metre of concrete divided into its absolute volumes of water, cement, sand,
stone:
(1) W/C ratio: Water-cement ratio is selected on the basis of the required strength and the
required durability. Tables and design curves are consulted. In designing mixes, we aim at
some target or average strength higher than the characteristic strength i.e. Average (target)
strength = characteristic strength + 1.7 SD (SD = 5% for good control).
(a) W/C for strength: Table 1 may be used if required strength is not known. A target strength
greater than the minimum specified (characteristic) strength is normally used. Having
established the target strength, the W/C needed to obtain this strength is selected directly
using known relations such as curves in Figure 1.
(b) W/C for durability: Requirements for durability are recommended in the SANS 0100-2
design code, given in Table 2. The minimum strength grade, minimum cement content
along with minimum nominal cover are specified for each exposure condition.
The final W/C selected will be the lesser of that selected for strength and for durability.
(2) Water Content(W): Water content is determined mainly by workability requirements, and is
generally estimated from a visual examination of the aggregates concerned. Sand is the most
critical aggregate component affecting water requirement and figures of 180 to 240 kg/m3 are
common. As coarse aggregate size increases, so water content decreases. Table 3 may be used
to make an initial estimate of the water content, adjusted using values in Table 4 for stones other
than 19 mm.
(3) Cement Content (CC): CC is calculated from W / (W/C), and checked against requirements for
minimum CC in Table 2. The normal range is 200 to 450 kg/m3.
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(4) Stone Content: This is determined from its void content and a knowledge of the F.M. of the
sand. The lower the F.M. of sand, the higher the stone content can be since the finer sand gives a
greater “lubrication” of the mix. More stone can be provided in mixes which are to be
mechanically compacted than hand compacted. We normally want to maximize the stone
content of a mix to produce the best economy, minimum shrinkage, creep, etc. Values of 900 –
1200 kg/m3 are typical.
Stone content is calculated as Mst = CBD (K-0.1FM)
CBD = compacted bulk density of stone
FM = fineness modulus of sand
K = the factor for workability, obtained from Table 5
(5) Sand Content: This is determined by first calculating the absolute volumes occupied by the
water, cement and stone, and subtracting their sum from 1m3 to give the absolute volume of the
sand, which is then converted to a mass/m3.
Note that the Curves and Tables 3 to 5, apply to 75 mm slump concrete. Figure 2 is then used to
adjust slumps as required.
Table 2: Nominal cover and strength grade for durability (SANS 0100-2)
Table 5: K values
Values of K
Workability Maximum size of stone, mm
9.5 13.2 20 26.5 37.5
Very high (150 mm slump) 0.72 0.81 0.92 0.97 1.03
High (100 mm slump) 0.75 0.84 0.94 0.99 1.05
Medium (40 mm slump) 0.80 0.90 1.00 1.02 1.10
Low (25 mm slump) 1.00 1.05 1.05 1.10 1.15
Very low (15 mm slump) 1.20 1.20 1.15 1.15 1.15
Extremely low (0 slump) 1.40 1.40 1.30 1.30 1.25
References
Fulton’s concrete technology, 6th & 8th Ed., 1986; 2001.
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