CEL 1132:

Structural Engineering Laboratory – II

Manual

Prepared by

M. A. Azeem
Asst. Professor

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

DECCAN COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

Darussalam, Hyderabad, T. S. 500 001
ME Structural Engineering Dept. of Civil Engg. DCET

DECCAN COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

Darussalam, Hyderabad, T. S. 500 001

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that Mr./Ms.________________________________________
bearing Roll No. ___________________ has successfully completed the course of
experiment in the Structural Engineering Lab – II as prescribed by Osmania
University for M.E. Structural Engineering II – Semester during the academic year
____-___

Date:_________ Sign. of Lab Incharge

ME Structural Engineering Dept. of Civil Engg. DCET

LIST OF EXPERIMENS

S. No. Date Name of Experiment Page No. Sign

1 Concept of Mix Design 1

2 ACI Method of Mix Design 4

3 DOE Method of Mix Design 8

4 BIS Method of Mix Design 13

ME Structural Engineering Dept. of Civil Engg. DCET

Introduction
 One of the ultimate aims of studying the various properties of the materials of concrete, plastic
concrete and hardened concrete, is to enable a concrete technologist to design a concrete mix
for a particular strength and durability.
 The conditions that prevail at the site of work, in particular the exposure condition, and the
conditions that are demanded for a particular work for which the mix is designed.
 Mix design can be defined as the process of selecting suitable ingredients of concrete and
determining their relative proportions with the object of producing concrete of certain
minimum strength and durability as economically as possible.
Concept of Mix design
The relationships between aggregate and paste which are the two essential ingredients of concrete.

 Workability of the mass is provided by the lubricating effect of the paste and is influenced by
the amount and dilution of paste.
 The strength of concrete is limited by the strength of paste, since mineral aggregates with rare
exceptions, are far stronger than the paste compound.
 Essentially the permeability of concrete is governed by the quality and continuity of the paste,
since little water flows through aggregate either under pressure or by capillarity.
 Since the properties of concrete are governed to a considerable extent by the quality of paste,
it is helpful to consider more closely the structure of the paste.
 With the given materials, the four variable factors to be considered in connection with
specifying a concrete mix are
(a) Water-Cement ratio
(b) Cement content or cement-aggregate ratio
(c) Gradation of the aggregates
(d) Consistency.
Common Terminologies

Mean strength: This is the average strength obtained by dividing the sum of strength of all the cubes
by the number of cubes.

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∑𝑥
𝑥=
𝑛
where 𝑥 = mean strength

Σx = sum of the strength of cubes

n = number of cubes.

Variance: This is the measure of variability or difference between any single observed data from the
mean strength.

Standard deviation: This is the root mean square deviation of all the results. This is denoted by s or
σ.

∑(𝑥 − 𝑥)2
𝜎=√
𝑛−1

where σ = Standard deviation,

n = number of observations
x = particular value of observations
x = arithmetic mean.

The standard deviation increases with increasing variability. The characteristics of the normal
distribution curve are fixed by average value and standard deviation. The spread of the curve along
the horizontal scale is governed by the standard deviation, while the position of the curve along the
vertical scale is fixed by the mean value.

American Concrete Institute Method of Mix Design (ACI–211.1)

 This method of proportioning was first published in 1944 by ACI committee 613.
 In 1954 the method was revised to include, among other modifications, the use of entrained
air.
 In 1970, the method of mix design became the responsibility of ACI committee 211.
 ACI committee 211 have further updated the method of 1991.

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 Almost all of the major multipurpose concrete dams in India built during 1950 have been
designed by using then prevalent ACI Committee method of mix design.

Data to be collected

 Fineness modulus of selected F.A.

 Unit weight of dry rodded coarse aggregate.
 Sp. gravity of coarse and fine aggregates in SSD condition
 Absorption characteristics of both coarse and fine aggregates.
 Specific gravity of cement.

DOE Method (BS 8110: Part 1):

• The DOE method was first published in 1975 and then revised in 1988

• While Road Note No 4 or Grading Curve Method was specifically developed for concrete
pavements, the DOE method is applicable to concrete for most purposes, including roads.

• DOE method presently is the standard British method of concrete mix design.

Data to be collected

• Fineness modulus of selected F.A.

• Unit weight of dry rodded coarse aggregate.

• Sp. gravity of coarse and fine aggregates in SSD condition.

• Absorption characteristics of both coarse and fine aggregates.

• Specific gravity of cement.

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EXPERIMENT-1

Design a concrete mix using ACI Method for construction of an elevated water tank. The specified
design strength of concrete is 30 MPa at 28 days measured on standard cylinders. The specific gravity
of FA and C.A. are 2.65 and 2.7 respectively. The dry rodded bulk density of C.A. is 1600 kg/m3, and
fineness modulus of FA is 2.80. Ordinary Portland cement (Type I) will be used. C.A. is found to be
absorptive to the extent of 1% and free surface moisture in sand is found to be 2 per cent.

Step 1: Target mean strength

fm = fmin. + ks

fm = 30 + 1.65 x 4.2

fm = 36.93 MPa

Step 2: Water cement ratio

Water cement ratio from the strength point of view can be found from table 4. Water cement ratio
from the durability point of view can be found from table 5. The minimum of the two is adopted.

Since OPC is used, from table 4, the estimated w/c ratio is 0.47

From table 5, the maximum w/c ratio is 0.5

Therefore, adopt w/c ratio of 0.47

Step 3: Max. size of aggregate and workability

Decide maximum size of aggregate to be used. Generally, for RCC work 20 mm and prestressed
concrete 10 mm size are used.

Decide workability in terms of slump for the type of job in hand from table 6.

Therefore, Maximum size of aggregate 20 mm.

Slump of concrete 50 mm

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Step 4: Cement content

From Table 7, for a slump of 50 mm, 20 mm maximum size of aggregate, for non-air entrained
concrete, the mixing water content is 185 kg/m3 of concrete. Also the approximate entrapped air
content is 2 per cent.

𝐶𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑡 =185/0.47

𝐶𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑡 = 394.0 𝑘𝑔/𝑚3

Step 5: Weight of Course Aggregate

From table 3 the bulk volume of dry rodded coarse aggregate per unit volume of concrete is selected,
for the particular maximum size of coarse aggregate and fineness modulus of fine aggregate.

The weight of C.A. per cubic meter of concrete is calculated by multiplying the bulk volume with
bulk density.

From Table 3, for 20 mm coarse aggregate, for fineness modulus of 2.80, the dry rodded bulk volume
of C.A. is 0.62 per unit volume of concrete.

The weight of C. A. = 0.62 𝑥 1600 = 992.0 𝑘𝑔/𝑚3

Step 6: Weight of Fine Aggregate

From Table 8, the first estimate of density of fresh concrete for 20 mm maximum size of aggregate
and for non-air entrained concrete = 2355 kg/m3

The weight of all the known ingredient of concrete

Weight of water = 185 kg/m3

Weight of cement = 394 kg.m3

Weight of C.A. = 992 kg/m3

Weight of F. A. = 2355 – (185 + 394 + 992) = 784.0 𝑘𝑔 𝑚3

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From Table 8, the first estimate of density of fresh concrete for 20 mm maximum size of aggregate
and for non-air entrained concrete = 2355 kg/m3

Alternatively, the weight of F.A. can also be found out by absolute volume method which is more
accurate, as follows.

S. No Ingredients Weight Absolute volume

𝑊𝑡. 𝑜𝑓 𝐶𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡
1 Cement From Step 5 𝑥 103 = ______𝑥 103
𝑆𝑝. 𝑔𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡
𝑊𝑡. 𝑜𝑓 𝑊𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟
2 Water From Step 4 𝑥 103 = ______𝑥 103
𝑆𝑝. 𝑔𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟
𝑊𝑡. 𝑜𝑓 𝐶. 𝐴
3 C.A From Step 6 𝑥 103 = ______𝑥 103
𝑆𝑝. 𝑔𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝐶. 𝐴
% 𝑜𝑓 𝑎𝑖𝑟 𝑣𝑜𝑖𝑑𝑠
4 Air ---- 𝑥 106 = ______𝑥 103
100
Total Absolute Volume

Total absolute volume = 697.0 x 103 cm3

Therefore, absolute volume of F.A.

= (1000 – 697) x 103

= 303.0 x 103

Weight of FA = 303 x 2.65 = 803.0 kg/m3

Step 7: Proportions

Ingredients Cement F.A C.A Water

Quantity Kg/m3 394 803 992 185
Ratio 1 2.04 2.52 0.47
Per bag mix Kg 50 102 126 23.5

Step 8: Adjustments for field conditions

The proportions are required to be adjusted for the field conditions. Fine Aggregate has surface
moisture of 2 %

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2
Weight of F. A. = 803.0 + 𝑥 803 = 819.06 kg/m3
100

Course Aggregate absorbs 1% water

1
Weight of F. A. = 992.0 − 𝑥 922 = 982.0 kg/m3
100

Step 9: Final Design Proportions

Ingredients Cement F.A C.A Water

Quantity Kg/m3 394 819 982 185
Ratio 1 2.08 2.49 0.47
Per bag mix Kg 50 104 124.5 23.5

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EXPERIMENT – 2

Design a concrete mix using BS Method for reinforced concrete work which will be exposed to
moderate condition the concrete is to be design for mean compressive strength of 30 MPa at age of
28 days. A requirement of 25mm cover prescribed. Maximum size of aggregate is 20mm. sieve
analysis shows that 50% pass through 600 μ sieve. The bulk specific gravity of aggregate is found to
be 2.65

Step 1: Data to be collected

• Grade Designation = M 30

• Type of cement = O.P.C- 43 grade

• Fine Aggregate = Zone-II

• Sp. Gravity Cement = 3.15

• Fine Aggregate = 2.61

• Coarse Aggregate (20mm) = 2.65

• Coarse Aggregate (10mm) = 2.66

Step 2: Target mean strength

Find the target mean strength from the specified characteristic strength
Target mean strength. fm = fmin. + ks

fm = 30 + 1.65 x 5

fm = 38.25 MPa

Step 3: Water – Cement Ratio

Calculate the water /cement ratio. This is done in a rather round about method, using Table 9 and
Fig. 1

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Referring to Table 9, for OPC, uncrushed aggregate, for W/C ratio of 0.5, 28 days’ compressive
strength is 49 MPa. In Fig. 1 find an intersection point for 42 MPa and 0.5 W/C ratio. Draw a dotted
line curve parallel to the neighbouring curve. From this curve read off the W/C ratio for a target mean
strength of 39 MPa.

The Water/cement ratio is = 0.58

Check this W/C ratio from durability consideration from Table 12. The maximum W/C ratio
permitted is 0.50. Adopt lower of the two.

Therefore, adopt W/C ratio of 0.50

Step 4: Calculation of Water Content

Next decide the water content for slump of 75 mm (assumed) 20 mm uncrushed aggregate from Table
10.

In case of CA & FA are different

Water demand for natural fine aggregate = 195 lit

Water demand for crushed coarse 20mm max size aggregate = 225 lit

2 1
𝑊𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑡 = × 𝑊𝑓 + × 𝑊𝑐𝑎
3 3

2 1
𝑊𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑡 = × 195 + × 225
3 3

= 205.0 𝑘𝑔 𝑚3

Step 5: Calculation of cement content

Mixing water content is 205 kg/m3 of concrete.

𝐶𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑡 = 205 / 0.50

𝐶𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑡 = 410.0 𝑘𝑔/ 𝑚3

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Which is more than 350 kg (As per Table No. 9.2 of BS 8110: Part I: 1985) Hence o.k.

Step 6: Weight of Total Aggregate

This requires an estimate of the wet density of the fully compacted concrete. This can be found out
from Fig. 2 for approximate water content and specific gravity of aggregate.

Next, find out the density of fresh concrete from Fig. 2 for water content of 205 kg/m3, 20 mm
uncrushed aggregate of sp.gr. 2.65

𝑇h𝑒 𝑤𝑒𝑡 𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 = 2375.0 𝑘𝑔/ 𝑚3

Total Weight of aggregate is find out

Weight o𝑓 𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝐴𝑔𝑔𝑟𝑒𝑔𝑎𝑡𝑒 = Total 𝑤𝑒𝑡 𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 − (𝑊𝑒𝑖𝑔h𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝐶𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 + 𝑊𝑒𝑖𝑔h𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝐹𝑟𝑒𝑒
𝑊𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟)

𝑊𝑒𝑖𝑔h𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝐴𝑔𝑔𝑟𝑒𝑔𝑎𝑡𝑒 =2375 – (410 + 205)

= 1760 kg /m3

Step 7: Weight of Fine Aggregate

Then, proportion of fine aggregate is determined in the total aggregate using Fig. 3, 4 and 5. Fig. 3 is
for 10 mm size, Fig. 4 is for 20 mm size and Fig. 5 is for 40 mm size coarse aggregate. The parameters
involved are maximum size of coarse aggregate, the level of workability, the water/cement ratio, and
the percentage of fines passing 600 μ sieve.

For 20 mm aggregate size, W/C ratio of 0.50, Slump of 75 mm, for 50% fines passing through 600 μ
sieve,

% 𝐹𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝐴𝑔𝑔𝑟𝑒𝑔𝑎𝑡𝑒 = 41 %

𝑊𝑒𝑖𝑔h𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝐹 𝐴. = 1760 × (41/100) = 721.6 𝑘𝑔/𝑚3 and

𝑊𝑒𝑖𝑔h𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝐶 𝐴. = 1760 × (59/100) = 1038.4 𝑘𝑔/𝑚3

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Step 8: Combination of Different Coarse Aggregate Fractions

Course aggregate can be further divided into different fractions depending on the shape of aggregate.
As a general guidance the figures given in Table 11 can be used.

Step 9: Proportions

Ingredients Cement Fine Aggregate Coarse Aggregate Water

Quantity Kg/m3 410 721.6 1038.4 205

Ratio 1 1.76 2.54 0.5

Per bag mix Kg 50 88 127 25

Step 10: Adjustment of field conditions

The proportions are required to be adjusted for the field conditions. Fine Aggregate has surface
moisture of 2 %

Weight of F. A. = 721.6 + (2/100 721.6)

= 736.03 kg m3

≅ 738.00 kg m3

Course Aggregate absorbs 1% water

Weight of C. A. = 1038.4 – (1/100) x 1038.4)

= 1028.00 kg/m3

≅ 1029.10 kg/ m3

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Final design proportions:

Ingredients Cement Fine Aggregate Coarse Aggregate Water

Quantity Kg/m3 410 728 1029.1 205

Ratio 1 1.8 2.51 0.5

Per bag mix Kg 50 90 125.5 25

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EXPERIMENT - 3

Deign the mix proportioning for a concrete of M 40 using BIS Method

Type of cement: : OPC43 grade conforming to IS 8112

Maximum nominal size of aggregate : 20mm

Minimum cement content : 320 kg/m3

Maximum water-cement ratio : 0.45

Workability : 100 mm (slump)

Exposure condition : Severe (for reinforced concrete)

Method of concrete placing : Pumping

Degree of supervision : Good

Type of aggregate : Crushed angular aggregate

Maximum cement content : 450 kg/m3

Chemical admixture type : Superplasticizer

Test Data for Materials

Cement used : OPC43 grade conforming to IS 8112

Specific gravity of cement : 3.15

Chemical admixture : Superplasticizer conforming to IS 9103

Specific gravity of:

a) Coarse aggregate : 2.74

b) Fine aggregate : 2.74

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Water absorption:

a) Coarse aggregate : 0.5%

b) Fine aggregate : 1%

Free (surface) moisture:

Coarse aggregate : nil

Fine aggregate : nil

Sieve analysis:

a) Coarse aggregate : Conforming to Table 2 of IS 383

b) Fine aggregate : Conforming to grading Zone I of Table 4 of IS 383

Target strength for mix proportioning

f'ck =fck + 1:65s

where

f'ck = target average compressive strength at 28 days,

fck = characteristic compressive strength at 28 days, and

s = standard deviation.

From Table l, standard deviation, s = 5 N/mm2

Therefore, target strength = 40 + 1.65 x 5 = 48.25 N/mm2

Selection of water-cement ratio:

From Table 5 of IS 456, maximum water-cement ratio= 0.45. Based on experience, adopt
water-cement ratio as 0.40.

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0.40 < 0.45, hence O.K.

Selection of water content:

From Table 2, maximum water content for 20 mm aggregate=186 litre (for 25 to 50 mm

slump range)

Estimated water content for l 00 mm slump = 186 + 1/100 x 186

= 197 litre

As superplasticizer is used, the water content can be reduced up 20 percent and above.

Based on trials with superplasticizer water content reduction of 29 percent has been achieved. Hence,
the arrived water content= 197 x 0.71 = 140 lit

Calculation of cement content:

Water-cement ratio = 0.40

Cement content = 140/0.40 = 350 kg/m3

From Table 5 of IS 456, minimum cement content for 'severe' exposure condition = 320 kg/m3 350
kg/m3 > 320 kg/m3, hence, O.K.

Proportion of volume of coarse aggregate and fine aggregate content:

From Table 3, volume of coarse aggregate corresponding to 20 mm size aggregate and fine aggregate
(Zone I) for water-cement ratio of 0.50 = 0.60.

In the present case water-cement ratio is 0.40. Therefore, volume of coarse aggregate is required to
be increased to decrease the fine aggregate content. As the water-cement ratio is lower by 0.10, the
proportion of volume of coarse aggregate is increased by 0.02 (at the rate of -/+ 0.01 for every± 0.05
change in water-cement ratio). Therefore, corrected proportion of volume of coarse aggregate for the
water-cement ratio of 0.40 = 0.62.

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For pumpable concrete these values should be reduced by 10 percent. Therefore, volume of coarse
aggregate = 0.62 x 0.9 = 0.56.

Volume of fine aggregate content= 1-0.56 = 0.44.

Mix calculations:

The mix calculations per unit volume of concrete shall be as follows:

Volume of concrete = 1 m3

𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 1
Volume of cement = 𝑥
𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 1000

350 1
= 𝑥
3.15 1000

= 0.111m3

𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 1
Volume of water = 𝑥
𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 1000

140 1
= 𝑥
1 1000

=0.140m3

Volume of chemical admixture

(superplasticizer) (@ 2.0 percent by mass of cementitious material)

𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑚𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑑𝑚𝑖𝑥𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 1

= 𝑥
𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑎𝑑𝑚𝑖𝑥𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 1000

7 1
= 𝑥
1.145 1000

= 0.006m3

Volume of all in aggregate = [a – (b+c+d)]

= 1-(0.111 +0.140+0.006)

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= 0.743m3

Mass of coarse aggregate = = e x Volume of coarse aggregate x Specific gravity of coarse

aggregate x 1000

= 0.743 X 0.56 X 2.74 X 1 000

= 1140 kg

Mass of fine aggregate = e x volume of fine aggregate x Specific gravity of fine aggregate x1000

= 0.743 X 0.44 X 2.74 X 1 000

= 896 kg

Mix proportions for trial number 1

Cement = 350 kg/m3

Water = 140 kg/m3

Fine aggregate = 896 kg/m3

Coarse aggregate = 1140 kg/m3

Chemical admixture = 7 kg/m3

Water- cement ratio = 0.4

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ACI 211.1 Tables

(Tables taken from Concrete Technology by M. S. Shetty)

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DOE (BS 8110: Part 1) Tables

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