Dr.

Bibhuti Bhusan Das

Assistant Professor
Civil Engineering Department
National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Surathkal
Mangalore-575025, Karnataka, India
Contact Number: +91-8050765791 (M)
+91-824-2474031 (O)
+91-824-2473970 (Direct)
Fax: +91-824-2474033

E-Mail: [email protected]

11/14/2017 1
 The process of selecting suitable ingredients
of concrete and determining their relative
quantities with the objective of producing a
concrete of the required strength, durability,
and workability as economically as possible,
is termed the concrete mix design.
 Types of Mixes
1. Nominal Mix
In the past the specifications for concrete prescribed with the
proportions of cement, fine and coarse aggregates.

These mixes of fixed cement-aggregate ratio which ensures adequate

strength are termed nominal mixes.

These offer simplicity and under normal circumstances, have a margin

of strength above that specified.

However, due to the variability of mix ingredients the nominal

concrete for a given workability varies widely in strength.
 Types of Mixes
2. Standard Mix
The nominal mixes of fixed cement-aggregate ratio (by volume) vary
widely in strength and may result in under- or over-rich mixes.

For this reason, the minimum compressive strength has been included
in many specifications.

These mixes are termed standard mixes.

The mixes of grades M15, M20 and M25 correspond approximately to

the mix proportions of (1:2:4), (1:1.5:3) and (1:1:2) respectively.
 Types of Mixes

Grade of Concrete Nominal Mix Proportions

(Cement: FA : CA)
M5 1:5:10
M7.5 1:4:8
M10 1:3:6
M15 1:2:4
M20 1:1.5:3
M25 1:1:2
 Types of Mixes
3. Design Mix

In these mixes the performance of the concrete is specified by the

designer but the mix proportions are determined by the producer of
concrete, except that the minimum cement content can be laid
down.

This is most rational approach to the selection of mix proportions

with specific materials in mind possessing more or less unique
characteristics.

ACI practice, British practice, Indian Standard recommendations

etc.
 I.S.10262-2009: CONCRETE MIX PROPORTIONING
GUIDELINES.

S.P.-23-1982: HANDBOOK ON CONCRETE MIXES.

Design mix should meet the design requirements in the fresh and
hardened states.

If the plastic concrete is not workable, it cannot be properly placed

and compacted. The property of workability, therefore, becomes
of vital importance.
The compressive strength of hardened concrete which is generally
considered to be an index of its other properties.
 1. 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 at a specific age, usually

28 days, determines the nominal water-cement ratio of the mix.

The other factor affecting the strength of concrete at a given age

and cured at a prescribed temperature is the degree of compaction.

According to Abrahams law the strength of fully compacted

concrete is inversely proportional to the water-cement ratio.
 2. Workability

The degree of workability required depends on three factors. These

are the size of the section to be concreted, 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 with a reasonable amount of effort.
This also applies to the embedded steel sections.

The desired workability depends on the compacting equipment

available at the site.
The factors which effect the workability of concrete
are:
1. Water content
2. Size of aggregate
3. Shape of aggregate
4. Grading of aggregate
5. Porosity and absorption of aggregate
6. Admixtures
7. Mixing time
8. Temperature
 1.Water content. Workability of concrete mix largely depends upon its
water content. With the increases of water, the workability also
increases. But too much water results into concrete of low strength
and poor durability.

2. Size of Aggregate.
Workability increases with the increase in the size of the aggregate.

Large size particles provide less surface area as compared to surface

area given by smaller size particles. Hence for same degree of
workability, less water is required for large size aggregate.

Lesser quantity of water used in large size aggregate also reduces the
quantity of cement for given water-cement ratio and is therefore
economical.

From practical point of view, the maximum size of aggregate to be

used will depend upon the handling, mixing and placing equipment,
thickness of section and quantity of reinforcement.
3.Shape of Aggregate. The particle shape also effect the workability.
Workability increases with round and smooth surface aggregates.
Crushed or angular aggregates has less workability because of higher
and rough surface area.

4. Grading of Aggregate. The grading of aggregate has a considerable

effect on workability of concrete. Grading is more important when lean
mixes of high workability are required than rich mixes. For lean mixes,
the grading should be continuous, whereas for rich mixes the grading
should be coarse.

5. Porosity and Absorption of Aggregate. Porous and non-saturated

aggregate will require more water than a non-porous and saturated
aggregate. For same degree or workability, the latter will require less
quantity of water.
 3. Durability

The durability of concrete is its resistance to the aggressive

environmental conditions.

High strength concrete is generally more durable than low strength

concrete.

In the situations when the high strength is not necessary but the
conditions of exposure are such that high durability is vital, the
durability requirement will determine the water-cement ratio to be
used.
 4. Maximum nominal size of aggregate

In general, larger the maximum size of aggregate, smaller is the

cement requirement for a particular water-cement ratio, because
the workability of concrete increases with increase in maximum size
of the aggregate. However, the compressive strength tends to
increase with the decrease in size of aggregate.

IS 456:2000 and IS 1343:1980 recommend that the nominal size of

the aggregate should be as large as possible.
 5. 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 mix which can be used. Very lean mix is not desirable
since it does not contain enough finer material to make the concrete
cohesive.

The type of aggregate influences strongly the aggregate-cement

ratio for the desired workability and stipulated water cement ratio.
An important feature of a satisfactory aggregate is the uniformity of
the grading which can be achieved by mixing different size fractions.
 6. Quality Control

The degree of control can be estimated statistically by the

variations in test results.

The variation in strength results from the variations in the

properties of the mix ingredients and lack of control of accuracy in
batching, mixing, placing, curing and testing.
Specified Mean of the group of 4 non-overlapping Individual
grade consecutive test results in N/mm2 test results in
N/mm2
M-15 >= fck + 0.825 x established standard deviation >=fck 3
(rounded off to nearest 0.5 N/mm2) N/mm2
or
fck + 3 N/mm2
whichever is greater
M-20 or >= fck + 0.825 x established standard deviation >= fck 4
above (rounded off to nearest 0.5 N/mm2) N/mm2
or
fck + 4 N/mm2
whichever is greater
 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.

For e.g., a concrete mix of proportions 1:2:4 means that cement,

fine and coarse aggregate are in the ratio 1:2:4 or 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.

 The grade designation giving the characteristic strength
requirement of concrete.
The type of cement influences the rate of development of
compressive strength of concrete.
Maximum nominal size of aggregates to be used in concrete may be
as large as possible within the limits prescribed by IS 456:2000.
The cement content is to be limited from shrinkage, cracking and
creep.
The workability of concrete for satisfactory placing and compaction
is related to the size and shape of section, quantity and spacing of
reinforcement and technique used for transportation, placing and
compaction.
 Workability Clause 7.1, IS:456-2000

Placing Conditions Degree of Workability Slump

(mm)
1 2 3
Blinding Concrete;
Shallow Sections; Very Low See 7.1.1
Pavements using pavers
Mass Concrete;
Lightly reinforced sections in Slabs,
Beams, Walls, Columns; Floors; Low 25-75
Hand placed Pavements;
Canal lining; Strip Footings
Heavily reinforced sections in Slabs,
Beams, Walls, Columns; Medium 50-100
Slip form work; Pumped Concrete.
Trench fill; In-Situ Piling; Tremie Concrete High 100-150
Degree of Site Control (Table 8, IS:456-2000)

Site control having proper storage of cement;

weigh batching of all materials;
Controlled addition of water,
regular checking of all materials,
Good
aggregate grading and moisture content;
And periodical checking of workability and
strength.
Fair Site control having deviation from the above.
 Type of Exposure (Table 3, IS:456-2000)
Sl. No. Environment Exposure Conditions
1 2 3
Concrete surfaces protected against weather or aggressive
i) Mild conditions, except those situated in coastal area.

Concrete surfaces sheltered from severe rain or freezing whilst wet.

Concrete exposed to condensation and rain.
Concrete continuously under water.
ii) Moderate
Concrete in contact or buried under non-aggressive soil/ground
water.
Concrete surfaces sheltered from saturated salt air in coastal area.
Concrete surfaces exposed to severe rain, alternate wetting and
drying or occasional freezing whilst wet or severe condensation.
iii) Severe Concrete completely immersed in sea water.
Concrete exposed to coastal environment.

Concrete exposed to sea water spray, corrosive fumes or severe

freezing conditions whilst wet.
iv) Very Severe
Concrete in contact with or buried under aggressive
sub-soil/ground water.
Surface of members in tidal zone.
v) Extreme Members in direct contact with liquid/solid aggressive chemicals.
Table-5 Minimum Cement content Maximum Water-Cement ratio
and Minimum Grade of Concrete for different exposures with
normal weight of aggregate of 20mm nominal maximum size.

Plain Concrete Reinforced Concrete

Minimum Maximum Minimum Minimum Maximum Minimum
Sl. Exposure Cement Free Grade of Cement Free Grade of
No. Content Water Concrete Content Water Concrete
kg/m3 Cement kg/m3 Cement
Ratio Ratio

i) Mild 220 0.60 - 300 0.55 M20

ii) Moderate 240 0.60 M15 300 0.50 M25

iii) Severe 250 0.50 M20 320 0.45 M30

iv) Very 260 0.45 M20 340 0.45 M35
Severe

v) Extreme 280 0.40 M25 360 0.40 M40

DETERMINE FROM SITE DATA, 30 CUBES
 Assumed Standard Deviation
(Table 8, IS:456-2000)

Assumed Standard Deviation

Grade of (N/Sq.mm)
Concrete
Good Site Control Fair Site Control
M10, M15 3.5 4.5
M20, M25 4.0 5.0
M30, M35
M,40,M45 5.0 6.0
M50

Note: The above values correspond to the site control

having proper storage of cement; weigh batching of all
materials; controlled addition of water, regular checking of
all materials. Aggregate grading and moisture content;
and periodical checking of workability and strength .
Where there is deviation from the above. values given in
the above table shall be increased by 1 N/sq. mm
The maximum free water cement ratio can be adopted
as a starting point although a lower value than the
maximum water cement ratio can be adopted to meet
the durability condition.
The water content in Table 2 of IS 10262 : 2009 is for angular coarse
aggregate and for 25 to 50 mm slump range

The water estimate in Table 2 can be reduced by approximately 10 kg

for sub-angular aggregates, 20 kg for gravel with some crushed particles
and 25 kg for rounded gravel to produce same workability

For the desired workability other than 25 to 50 mm slump range, the

required water content may be established by trial or an increase by about
3 percent for every additional 25 mm slump.

Water reducing admixtures or super plasticizing admixtures usually

decrease water content by 5 to 10 percent and 20 percent and above
respectively at appropriate dosages
 Water
Cement = -------------
W/C Ratio
Note: The cementitious material content so calculated shall be checked against the minimum
content for the requirements of durability and greater of the two values adopted. The
maximum cement content shall be in accordance with IS 456.
 For pumpable concrete these values of CA should be reduced by 10 percent
 F.A. = 1 C.A. proportion

All the ingredients have been estimated except the coarse and fine aggregate
content. These quantities are determined by finding out the absolute volume of
cementitious material, water and the chemical admixture; by dividing their
mass by their respective specific gravity, multiplying by 1/1000 and
subtracting the result of their summation from unit volume. The values so
obtained are divided into Coarse and Fine Aggregate fractions by volume in
accordance with coarse aggregate proportion already determined. The coarse
and fine aggregate contents are then determined by multiplying with their
respective specific gravities and multiplying by
1000.
 TEST REPORT
Concrete Mix RCC M30 with 20.0mm M.S.A.
Sl.
Particulars Result
No.
1 Characteristic Compressive strength in N/Sq.mm 30
2 Maximum size of Aggregate in mm 20.0

3 Type of Exposure Moderate

4 Type of Site control Good
5 Target Average Compressive Strength in N/Sq.mm 38.2

6 Workability in terms of Slump in mm 25-75

7 Mode of Compaction Vibration

8 Mix Partiuclars:
a. Water-Cement Ratio 0.47
b. Materials per cubic metre of concrete in Kg.
i) Water
ii) Cement (OPC 43 Grade) 185
iii) Fine Aggregate 394
iv) Coarse Aggregate 675
c. Mix Portion by weight 1123
1:1.71:2.85
 The standard ACI mix design procedure can
be divided up into 8 basic steps:
1. Choice of slump
2. Maximum aggregate size selection
3. Mixing water and air content selection
4. Water-cement ratio
5. Cement content
6. Coarse aggregate content
7. Fine aggregate content
8. Adjustments for aggregate moisture
Step #2: Determine Mixing Water and Air
Content
 DEFINITION: Nominal maximum aggregate size is the
largest sieve that retains some of the aggregate particles.
ACI Limits:
1/3 of the slab depth
3/4 of the minimum clear space between
bars/form
1/5 minimum dimension of non-reinforced
member

Aggregate larger than these dimensions may be difficult to consolidate

and compact resulting in a honeycombed structure or large air pockets .
Step #5: Cement Content
The calculated cement amount is based on
the selected mixing water content and
water-cement ratio.

W/C= Wt. of Water

Wt. of Cement
 Aggregate weights.
Aggregate volumes are calculated based on oven dry unit weights,
but aggregate is batched in the field by actual weight.
Any moisture in the stockpiled aggregate will increase its weight.
Without correcting for this, the batched aggregate volumes will be
incorrect.

Amount of mixing water.

If the batched aggregate is anything but saturated surface dry it will
absorb water (if dry) or give up water (if wet) to the cement paste.
This causes a net change in the amount of water available in the mix
and must be compensated for by adjusting the amount of mixing
water added.
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