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Concrete Mix Design Notes

The document provides detailed examples of concrete mix design using various methods, including the Minimum Voids Method, Fineness Modulus Method, Arbitrary Volume Method, and Strength Requirement Calculation. Each example outlines a problem statement, solution approach, and steps to solve similar problems, emphasizing the importance of understanding voids, aggregate proportions, and strength requirements. The conclusion encourages practice to master mix design problems for midterm preparation.

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26 views5 pages

Concrete Mix Design Notes

The document provides detailed examples of concrete mix design using various methods, including the Minimum Voids Method, Fineness Modulus Method, Arbitrary Volume Method, and Strength Requirement Calculation. Each example outlines a problem statement, solution approach, and steps to solve similar problems, emphasizing the importance of understanding voids, aggregate proportions, and strength requirements. The conclusion encourages practice to master mix design problems for midterm preparation.

Uploaded by

sadmanmihir.gaming
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Concrete Mix Design - Lecture Notes

1. Example 1: Minimum Voids Method


Problem Statement:
Design a concrete mix using the Minimum Voids Method with the
given data:
- Voids in coarse aggregate = 40%
- Voids in fine aggregate = 30%
- Allow an excess of 10% for cement and 7% for fine aggregate
- Ordinary Portland cement (OPC) is used

Solution Approach:
1. Assume coarse aggregate (C.A.) = 100 cubic feet (cft)
2. Since 40% of C.A. is voids, fine aggregate (F.A.) must fill these
voids.
- Required F.A. = 40% of 100 cft = 40 cft
- Allowing 7% excess: 40 × 1.07 = 42.8 cft
3. Since 30% of F.A. is voids, cement must fill these voids.
- Required Cement = 30% of 42.8 cft = 12.84 cft
- Allowing 10% excess: 12.84 × 1.10 = 14.12 cft
4. The final mix ratio is approximately 1:3:7 (Cement : Fine Aggregate
: Coarse Aggregate).

How to Solve Similar Problems:


- Identify the void percentages of aggregates.
- Calculate the required amount of fine aggregate to fill the voids of
coarse aggregate.
- Calculate the required cement to fill the voids of fine aggregate.
- Add the excess percentage to ensure good bonding.
- The final mix ratio is derived from these calculations.
2. Example 2: Fineness Modulus Method
Problem Statement:
Design a concrete mix for 3500 psi compressive strength using:
- Maximum size of C.A. = ¾ inch
- Size of F.A. = 1/16 to 3/16 inch
- Fineness modulus of C.A. = 6.27
- Fineness modulus of F.A. = 2.85
- Moisture content of C.A. = 6%
- Moisture content of F.A. = 5%
- Shrinkage factor = 0.75
- Desired slump = 2 inches

Solution Approach:
1. Find combined fineness modulus: Fcom = 5.13
2. Using design tables, find compacted volume per 1 cft cement: 3.75
cft
3. Determine aggregate distribution:
F.A. = 33.34% and C.A. = 66.66%
4. Convert to loose volume:
Loose volume = 3.75 / 0.75 = 5 cft
5. Find required F.A. and C.A.:
F.A. = 5 × (33.34/100) = 1.67 cft
C.A. = 5 × (66.66/100) = 3.33 cft
6. Adjust for bulking effect:
F.A. = 1.67 × 1.05 = 1.75 cft
C.A. = 3.33 × 1.06 = 3.53 cft
7. Final Field Mix Ratio: 1:1.75:3.53

How to Solve Similar Problems:


- Use fineness modulus of aggregates to determine combined
modulus.
- Use design tables to find compacted volume.
- Convert to loose volume.
- Adjust proportions for bulking.
- Finalize mix ratio.

3. Example 3: Arbitrary Volume Method


Problem Statement:
Find the volume of each ingredient in a 1:3:6 concrete mix per cubic
foot.

Solution Approach:
1. Assume wet volume = 100 cft
2. Dry volume = 150 cft (because concrete shrinks upon drying)
3. Cement:
150 × (1/10) = 15 cft
Convert to bags (1 bag = 1.25 cft):
15 / 1.25 = 12 bags
4. Fine Aggregate:
150 × (3/10) = 45 cft
5. Coarse Aggregate:
150 × (6/10) = 90 cft
6. Water:
(15 × 0.30) + ((45 + 90) × 0.05) = 11.25 cft
7. Water-Cement Ratio:
11.25 / 15 = 0.75

How to Solve Similar Problems:


- Convert wet volume to dry volume.
- Determine cement, fine aggregate, and coarse aggregate
proportions.
- Convert cement volume to bags.
- Adjust water content and compute water-cement ratio.

4. Example 4: Strength Requirement Calculation


Problem Statement:
A concrete plant has:
- Specified strength = 31 MPa
- Standard deviation (s)
- Unknown (new plant)
- 3.6 MPa (17 test results)
- 2.4 MPa (experienced plant)
- 3.8 MPa (experienced plant)

Find the required average compressive strength.

Solution Approach:
1. If s is unknown: Use safety factor of 8.3 MPa:
f'cr = 31 + 8.3 = 39.3 MPa
2. If s = 3.6 MPa:
f'cr = 31 + (2.33 × 3.6) - 3.45 = 36.96 MPa
3. If s = 2.4 MPa:
f'cr = 31 + (1.34 × 2.4) = 34.22 MPa
4. If s = 3.8 MPa:
f'cr = 31 + (2.33 × 3.8) - 3.45 = 37.37 MPa

How to Solve Similar Problems:


- Use formula for required strength:
f'cr = f'c + (s × factor)
- Factor depends on whether s > 3.45 MPa or s < 3.45 MPa.

Conclusion:
By practicing these step-by-step solutions and understanding the
logic, you'll be able to solve any mix design problem in your midterm.

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