CONCRETE MIX DESIGN

DR S C MAITI
Ex-Joint Director
National Council for Cement &
Building Materials
• CEMENT
• WATER
• SAND
• COARSE AGGREGATE
 CHEMICAL ADMIXTURES

• Water Reducing Admixtures (Plasticizers and

Superplasticizers)
• Air Entraining Admixtures
• Retarding Admixtures
• Accelerating Admixtures
• P-C(Polycarboxylic ether)based
Superplasticizers are required to produce
Self-Compacting concrete.
 SUPERPLASTICIZERS
Generally,naphthalene-based superplasticizers
are being used.
(0.5-1.5% by wt of cement or % by wt
of (cement + flyash).
1.Water-reduction : Min. 20%,therefore,
lower W/C,and so, higher strength.
2.Increasing workability of concrete.
3.Reducing water,reducing cement,keeping
W/C constant.So saving of cement.
 MINERAL ADMIXTURES
• FLYASH (15 -35% for the manufacture of
PPC)
• GGBS(Ground Granulated Blast Furnace
Slag)(25 -70% for the manufacture of
PSC)
• SILICA FUME(Imported)(5-10%)
 FLYASH
[IS 3812(part I)]
Good quality flyash can be used in concrete.
1.Fineness(Blaine,s):Min 320m2/Kg
2.Lime Reactivity:Min 4.5 N/mm2
3.Loss on ignition: Max 5%.

Good Quality flyash can be collected from

2nd or 3rd Field of the Electrostatic Precipitators.
Flyash
SiO2+ Ca(OH)2 =Calcium Silicate
Lime Hydrate
(Strength giving
compound in concrete)
• MORE FINE MATERIALS MAKE THE
CONCRETE MIX COHESIVE AND NON-
BLEEDING

• BLENDED CEMENT CONCRETE IS

MORE RESISTANT TO AGGRESSIVE
ENVIRONMENTS THAN OPC
CONCRETE
 CONCRETE MIX WITH FLYASH
In order to achieve concrete of equal
strength at 28 days,it is necessary to
increase the total mass(OPC + flyash or
OPC+ g.g.b.s) compared to the mass of
Portland cement in the concrete without
flyash or g.g.b.s. For flyash,the increase
in the combined mass of (OPC+ flyash)
may be about 10% by mass.
Ref.Mix Design Guidelines of BS5328:part1:
Guide to Specifying Concrete
• NOMINAL MIX CONCRETE(IS 456)
• DESIGN MIX CONCRETE(RMC)
• PRESCRIBED MIX CONCRETE(RMC)

• Design Of Concrete Pavement is based on

Flexural Strength of Concrete .
• Typically,M40 grade
concrete(Flex.strength =4.5 MPa)
 DESIGN STRENGTH
f cr = 0.7 x √ fck

fcr = flexural strength (modulus of rupture),

N/mm2

• fck = characteristic compressive strength of concrete,

N/mm2
f’ck = fck + t x s

• f’ ck = target mean compressive strength at 28

days, N/mm2
• s = standard deviation, N/mm2
• t = standard normal variate
1.65 as per IS:456-2000 for
accepted proportion of low results 1 in 20.
 NOMINAL MIX CONCRETE PROPORTIONS(IS 456)

Grade of Total quantity Proportion of fine Quantity of

concrete of dry aggregate to water per 50
aggregate by coarse aggregate kg cement,
weight per 50 (by wt.) max (l)
kg of cement,
max (kg)
M5 800 Generally 1:2 (for 60
20 mm MSA),
1:1½ (for 10 mm
M 7.5 625 45
MSA), 1:2½ (for 40
M 10 480 mm MSA) 34
M 15 330 (for fine aggregate 32
of zone II)
M 20 250 30
CONCRETE MIX PROPORTIONS
Nominal Mix Concrete(By wt.)
Cement sand C.Aggregate W/C
kg kg kg
M10 50 160 320 0.68

M15 50 110 220 0.64

M20 50 83 167 0.60

For medium workability(say,50-60mm
slump) & for an average grading of
fine aggregate(i.e zone II grading):
Sand(Sand:C.A)
20mm MSA 33% ( 1:2.0 )
40mm MSA 28% ( 1:2.5 )
10mm MSA 40% ( 1:1.5 )
 ADJUSTMENT IN FINE
AGGREGATE
Zone I(Coarse grading) +1.5%
Zone III(Finer grading) -1.5%
Zone IV(Finest grading) -3.0%

For rounded coarse aggregate -7.0%

Target Average 28 – day Compressive
Strength of Concrete =fck+ 1.65 x
Standard Deviation
 STANDARD DEVIATION
Standard Deviation is a good measure of
Q.C.
GOOD control means lower S.D (say 3 or
4 N/mm2).
At least 30 test results should be used to
calculate Standard Deviation.
Each test result is average of 3 cube test
results at 28 days.
 CALCULATION OF S.D
S.D= Root mean square deviation =[{ Sum.of(x-x/)2} /n-1]1/2

X X/ X-X/ ( X-X/)2

1. 20 -1 1

2. 21 0 0

3. 22 21 1 1

4. 24 3 9

5. 18 -3 9
---------------
20
S.D=[20/(5-1)]1/2

=2.27N/mm2
 SUGGESTED STANDARD DEVIATION VALUES
(IRC 44-2008)

Sl No. Grade of concrete

Suggested Standard Deviation
( N/mm2)
1 M25 4.0
2 M30
3 M35
4 M40
5 M45 5.0
6 M50
7 M55
8 M60

Applicable for Good Q.C exercized at site.If not good Q.C

the value of standard deviation is to be increased
2
 GOOD QUALITY CONTROL
Site control having proper storage of cement
Weigh batching of all materials,
Controlled addition of water,
Regular checking all materials,
Aggregate gradings and moisture content,
Periodical checking of workability and
strength.
SUGGESTED STANDARD DEVIATION VALUES
(IS 456)

Grade of Concrete Suggested Standard Deviation,N/mm2

M 10 3.5
M 15 3.5
M20 4.0
M25 4.0
M30
M35
M40
M45 5.0
M50
M55
M60
SELECTION OF WATER-CEMENT
RATIO (IRC: 44-2008)
Sl No. Grade of concrete Suggested Water-
Cement Ratio

1 M 25 0.50
2 M 30 0.45
3 M 35 0.42
4 M 40 0.38
5 M50 0.34
6 M60 0.28
 Minimum cement content, maximum W/C and minimum
grade of concrete for different exposures with 20 mmMSA
( IS 456 )
Exposure Plain concrete RCC Minimum grade
of concrete
Min. Max. Min. Max. Plain RCC
cement W/C cement W/C concrete
(kg/m3) (kg/m3)
Mild 220 0.60 300 0.55 - M 20

Moderate 240 0.60 300 0.50 M 15 M 25

Severe 250 0.50 320 0.45 M 20 M 30

Very severe 260 0.45 340 0.45 M 20 M 35

extreme 280 0.40 360 0.40 M 25 M 40
 ADJUSTMENTS

MSA (mm) Adjustments to

minimum cement
content (kg/m3)
10 + 40

20 0

40 - 30
75 %
Water Content /Cum of Concrete for Nominal Maximum Size
of Aggregate (without Superplasticiser,for angular aggregate
and for a slump of 25-50mm)

Nominal Maximum Approximate Water

Size of Aggregate,mm Content,* kg/m3
10 208
20 186
40 165

* Water content
corresponding to
saturated surface dry
aggregate
Slump can be increased:
For every 25mm increase in slump,
3% extra water will be required.

Alternatively,Superplasticizers can be used

to increase the Slump of concrete.
 Coarse Aggregate /Unit Volume of Total Aggregate
(for Different Zones of Fine Aggregate as per IS: 383)
(For W/C=0.50)
Nominal Volume of Coarse Aggregate Per Unit Volume of
Maximum Size of Total Aggregate for Different Zones of Fine
Aggregate,mm Aggregate
Zone IV Zone III Zone II Zone I
10 0 .50 0. 48 0 .46 0. 44

20 0 .66 0. 64 0 .62 0. 60
40 0 .75 0. 73 0 .71 0. 69

These volumes are for angular aggregate(S.S.D)

Suitable adjustments may be made for other shapes of
Aggregate.
For every decrease of 0.05 in W/C ratio, the above values (volume
of coarse aggregates) is to be increased by 0.01m3
 ADJUSTMENTS FOR VOL. OF
COARSE AGGREGATE
1. For every 0.05 decrease in W/C,increase
of 0.01m3 in Vol.of C.A.

2. For high-workability pumpable concrete,

Vol.of C.A to be reduced by 10%.

3.For rounded(gravel aggregate) or sub-

angular aggregate,the vol. of C.A is to be
increased suitably.
 TABLE 2: FINE AGGREGATE GRADING REQUIREMENTS

IS Sieve Percentage Passing for

Designation
Grading Zone Grading Zone Grading Zone Grading Zone
I II III IV
10 mm 100 100 100 100
4.75 mm 90 - 100 90 - 100 90 - 100 95 - 100
2.36 mm 60 - 95 75 - 100 85 - 100 95 - 100
1.18 mm 30 - 70 55 - 90 75 - 100 90 - 100
600 micron 15 - 34 35 - 59 60 - 79 80 - 100
300 micron 5 -20 8 - 30 12 - 40 15 - 50
150 micron 0 - 10 0 - 10 0 - 10 0 - 15

1. Where grading falls outside the limits of any particular grading zone other than 600
micron by a total amount not exceeding 5%, it shall be considered as falling
within that grading zone.

3. This tolerance shall not be applied to percentage passing any other sieve size on
the coarse limit of grading zone I or the final limit of grading zone IV.

4. Crushed stone sands, the permissible limit on 150 micron is increased to 20%
IS: 383 REQUIREMENT FOR COMBINED
GRADING(combination of coarse
aggregate fractions)

IS sieve 40 mm 20 mm 16 mm 12.5 mm
Size MSA MSA MSA MSA

40 mm 95-100

20 mm 30-70 95-100

16 mm 90-100

12.5 mm 90-100

10 mm 10-35 25-55 30-70 40-85

4.75 mm 0-5 0-10 0-10 0-10

 COMBINING DIFFERENT
FRACTIONS OF C.A
20 mm Max. size aggregate
Fraction I Fraction II
(20-10mm) (10-4.75mm)
60% + 40%
50% + 50%
40 mm Max. size aggregate
Fraction I Fraction II Fraction III
(40-20mm) (20-10mm) (10-4.75mm)
3 parts : 1.5 parts : 1 part
55% : 27% : 18%
 EXAMPLE OF COMBINED
GRADING
Sieve Fraction I Fraction II 60% of Fraction I Desired
Size (20-10mm) (10-4.75mm) +40%ofFractionII grading
(mm) ( % passing ) limit
(%passing)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

20.0 93.0 100 55.8 +40=95.8 95-100

10.0 3.4 80.1 2 + 32= 34 25-55
4.75 0.12 2.6 0.07+1.04=1.1 0-10
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 INFORMATION REQUIRED
1. Grade of concrete
2. Workability Required(Slump,C.F,Flow
or Slump flow)
3 Exposure condition:Mild,Moderate,Severe,
Very Severe or Extreme
4. Degree of Q.C expected to be exercised
at the site of construction.
LABORATORY DATA REQUIRED
1. Type and Max.size of Aggregate(MSA)
2. Type of cement & its Sp.gr
3. 28-day compressive strength of cement
4. Sp.gr & water absorption of C.A & F.A
5. Grading of C.A Fractions,& that of F.A
6. Quality of Flyash(physical properties & its
Sp.gr)
7. Water reduction(%) by the superplasticizer
and its Sp.gr
 ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE
DESIGN STIPULATIONS
a) Grade of concrete:M 40
b)Degree of Workability:20 mm slump
c) Degree of Quality Control: Good
d) Durability Requirement:Min.Cement
Content=325Kg/m3,
Max.W/C=0.50;Max.Cement
Content(OPC)=425Kg/m3
TEST DATA ON MATERIALS
a)20mm max size crushed angular aggregate
b)Cement:OPC
c)28-day compressive strength of cement:53Mpa
d)1)Sp gr of coarse aggregate:2.74
2)Sp gr of fine aggregate: 2.62
3)Water absorption (CA) : 0.5%
4)Water absorption (FA) : 1.0%
e)Sieve Analysis Of Coarse Aggregate
&Sieve Analysis Of Fine Aggregate (Zone II sand)
f)Free (surface) moisture for coarse and fine aggregate:Nil
g)Absorbed moisture for CA& FA :Nil
h)Superplasticizer( sp gr=1.1 ): 1.0% by weight of
cement
 MIX DESIGN CALCULATION

3.1 Standard deviation for Good control for M40

grade concrete=
(From Table 1)
3.2 Target average 28-day compressive
strength of concrete=40+1.65x =
3.3Water/Cement ratio for the target
strength(from Table2 or from Fig1)=
3.4 Max.W/C for durability =
3.5 W/C ratio adopted =
 MIX DESIGN CALCULATION

3.1 Standard deviation for Good control for M40

grade concrete= 5.0 N/mm2
(From Table 1)
3.2 Target average 28-day compressive
strength of
concrete=40+1.65x5.=48.25N/mm2
3.3Water/Cement ratio for the target
strength(from Table2 or from Fig1)=0.38
3.4 Max.W/C for durability = 0.50
3.5 W/C ratio adopted = 0.38
3.6 Water content of concrete from Table 3( for 20 mm
MSA & slump = 20 mm)=
The Superplasticizer is able to reduce 20% mixing water
for the same workability.

So,the reduced water concent of concrete=

3.7 The cement concent of concrete=

The Min. cement concrete for Durability Requirement=325

Kg/m3
3.6 Water content of concrete from Table 3( for 20 mm

MSA & slump = 20 mm) =186Kg/m3

The Superplasticizer is able to reduce 20% mixing

water for the same workability.

So,the reduced water content of

concrete=186x0.80=148.8Kg/m3

3.7 The cement content of concrete=148.8/0.38=

392Kg/m3 of concrete
3.8 Quantity of superplasticizer=
(1% by wt of cement)
3.9 Vol. of coarse aggregate(for W/C=0.50&for
zone II sand ) (from Table 4) =

Vol. of CA( after adjustment for W/C ratio )=

Vol. of FA=
3.8 Quantity of superplasticizer=3.92 kg/m3
(1% by wt of cement)
3.9 Vol. of coarse aggregate(for W/C=0.50&for
zone II sand ) (from Table 4) = 0.62m3/ m3 of
total aggregate

Vol. of CA, after adjustment for W/C ratio of 0.38

=0.64m3/m3 of total aggregate

Vol. of FA= 1-0.64= 0.36 m3/m3 of total aggregate

 ADJUSTMENT FOR C.A
W/C ratio – 0.50 - Vol.of C.A= 0.62m3
W/C ratio – 0.38
------------
0.12 0.12/0.05x0.01=0.024
For0.05 less- Increase in vol.of C.A=0.01m3
For 0.12less- Increase in vol.of C.A=0.024 m3
So, Vol.of C.A =0.64m3
 ABSOLUTE VOLUMES OF
CEMENT,WATER&SUPERPLASTICIZER

4.0 Solid volume of cement=

Volume of water =
Volume of superplasticizer=
Total=
4.1Coarse and fine aggregate contents:
Total vol of coarse & fine aggregate/m3
of concrete=1m3- =
Mass of coarse aggregate=

Mass of fine aggregate=

Solid volume of cement=392/3150 =0.124m 3
Volume of water =148.8/1000 =0.1488m 3
Volume of superplasticizer=3.92/1100=0.0035m 3
------------------
Total=0.2763m3
4.1Coarse and fine aggregate contents:
Total vol of coarse & fine aggregate/m3
of concrete=1-0.2763=0.7237m3
Mass of coarse
aggregate=0.7237x0.64x2740=1269kg/m 3

Mass of fine aggregate=0.7237x0.36x2620=682Kg/m 3

4.2 Estimated quantities of all ingredients:
Kg/ m3
Cement=392
Water =149
Coarse aggregate(s.s.d)=1269
Fine aggregate(s.s.d) = 682
Superplasticizer = 3.92
4.3 Actual quantities of all ingredients/m3of
concrete :
Cement =392Kg

Superplasticizer=3.92Kg

CA(dry)=1269/1.005=1263Kg

FA(dry)= 682/1.01 = 675Kg

Extra water required for absorption of CA

=1269-1263 = 6kg

Extra water required for absorption of FA

=682-675 =7kg
Actual quantity of water=149+6+7=162kg
Actual quantity of coarse aggregate (dry)
1263Kg/m3of concrete
Fraction I (60%) =758kg
Fraction II (40%) =505Kg
Actual quantity of fine aggregate(dry)
=675Kg
4.4 Mix proportion for trial mix:
Kg/m3 Kg/0.05m3
Cement= 392 ----
Water= 162 ----
Superplasticizer = 3.92 ----
Fine aggregate(dry)=675 ----
Coarse aggregate(dry):
Fraction I(10-20mm)=758 -------
Fraction II(Below 10mm)=505 ----
 CONCRETE USING FLYASH
Say 20% flyash is proposed to be used to produce
M40 grade concrete
Sp gr of flyash= 2.2
Cement(OPC)=392kg
Water(using superplasticizer)=149Kg
(Cement+ flyash)= 392x1.10= 431Kg
Cement = 345Kg
Flyash = 86Kg
Superplasticizer[1%by wt of(C+F)]= 4.31kg
Cement(OPC) =345/3150= 0.1095m 3

Flyash = 86/2200= 0.0390m 3

Water =149/1000 = 0.149 m 3

Superplasticizer= 4.31/1100= 0.0039m 3

_______________________

Total = 0.3014 m3
Absolute vol of (CA+FA) = 0.698 m3

W/ C+F = 0.34
CA(after correction for w/c+F ratio) =0.62+0.03=0.65m 3

Mass of CA= 0.698X0.65X2740=1243kg(SSD)

Mass of FA=0.698X0.35X2620 = 640kg
(SSD)
Dry CA =1243/1.005 = 1237kg
Dry FA =640/1.01 = 634Kg
Extra water for absorption =6+6= 12Kg
Water to be used =149+12 = 161Kg
 Final Mix Proportions
(Per m3 of concrete)
OPC =345 kg
Flyash=86Kg
Water=161Kg
FA =634kg
CA(Fraction I)=742kg
(60%)
CA(Fraction II)=495kg
(40%)
 ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE
(Using superplasticizer& flyash)
DESIGN STIPULATIONS
a) Grade of concrete:M 40
b)Degree of Workability:100 mm
slump(with superplasticizer)
c) Degree of Quality Control: Good
d) Exposure condition :Moderate(for RCC)
 TEST DATA ON MATERIALS

a)20mm max size crushed angular aggregate

b)Cement:OPC(53 Grade)
c)Flyash :Good quality, 20%, Sp gr=2.2
d)1)Sp gr of coarse aggregate:2.74

2)Sp gr of fine aggregate: 2.62

3)Water absorption (CA) : 0.5%
4)Water absorption (FA) : 1.0%
f)Free (surface) moisture for coarse aggregate &
fine aggregate : Nil
g)Absorbed moisture for CA& FA :Nil
h)Superplasticizer( sp gr=1.1 ): 1.0% by weight of cement
 (e)(i)Sieve Analysis of Coarse
Aggregate
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IS Sieve Sieve analysis %of different Desired
size(mm) of aggregate fractions Com- Grading
fractions I(60%) II(40%) bined (%passing)
(% passing) (From Table 8)
I II 100%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

20 100 100 60 40 100 95-100

10 0 71.20 0 28.5 28.5 25-55
4.75 9.40 3.7 3.7 0-10
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Sieve Analysis of Fine Aggregate
IS Sieve Size % passing Remarks
(Ref.Table7)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10mm 100
4.75mm 98 Conforming
2.36mm 95 to grading
1.18mm 90 Zone II
600micron 59
300micron 12
150micron 2
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 MIX DESIGN CALCULATION

3.1 Standard deviation for Good control for M40

grade concrete=
(From Table 1)
3.2 Target average 28-day compressive
strength of concrete=40+1.65x =
3.3Water/Cement ratio for the target
strength(from Table3 or from Fig1)=
3.4 Max.W/C for durability =
3.5 W/C ratio adopted =
 MIX DESIGN CALCULATION

3.1 Standard deviation for Good control for M40 grade

concrete= 5.0 N/mm2
(From Table 1)
3.2 Target average 28-day compressive
strength of conncrete=40+1.65x5.=48.25N/mm2
3.3Water/Cement ratio for the target
strength(from Table 2 or from Fig1)=0.40/0.38
3.4 Max.W/C for durability („Moderate‟ exposure condition)
(from Table 2)=0.50
3.5 W/C ratio adopted =0.38
3.6 Water content of concrete from Table 4( for 20
mm MSA & slump = 25-50 mm)=

Let us use 170 Kg water,and with 1%

Superplasticizer, the

concrete will be pumpable(100-120mm slump)

3.7 The cement content of concrete=

3.6 Water concent of concrete from Table 5( for 20 mm

MSA & slump =25-50mm)=186 Kg/m3

Using 170 Kg water and with 1% superplasticizer [by wt

of (C+F)],It is expected to

obtain high workability pumpable concrete.

3.7 The cement concent of concrete=170/0.38=447Kg/m 3

of concrete.

The Min. cement concrete for Durability Requirement=

300Kg/m3. Hence O.K.
Using 20% flyash,
C+F = 447X 1.10 =492 Kg
Cement=394 Kg
Flyash= 98 Kg
3.8 Quantity of superplasticizer=4.92 kg/m 3

[1% by wt of (cement+Flyash)]

3.9 Vol. of coarse aggregate(for W/C=0.50&for zone II

sand) (from Table 6)= 0.62m3/ m3 of total aggregate

(For a W/C=0.50)
So, for the W/(C+F) of (170/492) i.e 0.34, C.A Vol,=0.62+0.03m 3

Vol. of CA [ after adjustment for W/(C+F) ratio]=0.65m 3/m3 of total aggregate

For pumpable concrete(10%

reduction)=0.65x0.90=0.585m3

Vol. of FA= 1-0.585 = 0.415 m3/m3 of total aggregate

 4.0ABSOLUTE VOLUMES OF CEMENT,WATER
FLYASH &SUPERPLASTICIZER
Solid volume of cement=394/3150 =0.125m 3

Volume of water =170/1000 =0.170m 3

Solid volume of Flyash =98/2200= 0.0445m 3

Volume of superplasticizer=4.92/1100=0.00447m 3
--------------------------
Total= 0.34m3
4.1Coarse and fine aggregate contents:

Total vol of coarse & fine aggregate/m 3

of concrete=1-0.34=0.66m3
Mass of coarse
aggregate=0.66x0.585x2740=1058kg/m 3

Mass of fine aggregate=0.66x0.415x2620=718Kg/m 3

4.2 Estimated quantities of all ingredients:
Kg/ m3
Cement=394
Water =170
Flyash= 98
Coarse aggregate(S.S.D)=1058
Fine aggregate(S.S.D) = 718
Superplasticizer = 4.92
4.3 Actual Quantities of Ingredients:
Actual quantity of coarse aggregate (dry):
1058/1.005=1052Kg
FractionI(60%) = 631 kg
Fraction II (40%) =421 kg
Actual ouantity of fine
aggregate(dry)=718/1.01=711 Kg
Actual Quantity of water to be used
=170+6+7=183kg/m3 of concrete.
4.4 Mix proportion for trial mix:
Kg/m3 kg/0.05m3
Cement= 394
Water= 183
Flyash= 98
Superplasticizer = 4.92
Fine aggregate(dry)=711
Coarse aggregate(dry):
Fraction I(10-20mm)=631
Fraction II(10-4.75mm)=421
 3 concrete mixes are to be cast.
W/(C+F)=0.34 W/(C+F)=0.37
W/(C+F)=0.30
And finally,choose W/(C+F) for the
Target strength of concrete.
Calculate the concrete mix proportions
& recommend for the Field Trial.
 EXAMPLE TO BE WORKED OUT
(High-Workability Concrete using
Superplasticizer)
1.DESIGN STIPULATIONS
a) Grade of concrete :M20
b)Workability required : High- workability
Concrete( 70 - 80 mm slump)
c)Degree of Q.C expected to be exercized
at site : Good
d) Exposure condition: “Severe”(Plain
Concrete)
 Test Data on Materials
a)20mm Max. size crushed rock aggregate
b) Cement :OPC(53 grade)
c) i) Sp.gr of Coarse aggregate :2.74
ii) Sp.gr of Fine aggregate : 2.62
iii) Water absorption of C.A : 0.5%
iv) Water absorption of F.A : 1.0%
 SIEVE ANALYSIS OF C.A
IS Sieve Sieve analysis %of different Comb- Desired
Size(mm) of aggregate fractions ined combined
fractions grading grading as
(% passing) per IS383
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I II I(60%) II(40%)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20 100 100 60 40 100 95-100
10 0 71.20 0 28.5 28.5 25-55
4.75 9.40 3.7 3.7 0-10
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 SIEVE ANALYSIS OF F.A
IS Sieve size %passing Remarks
-----------------------------------------------------------
10mm 100
4.75mm 98 Conforming
2.36mm 80 to grading
1.18mm 50 Zone
600micron 30
300micron 12
150micron 2
-----------------------------------------------------------------
e)Free(surface)moisture for C.A&F.A : Nil
f)Absorbed moisture for C.A & F.A : Nil
g) Superplasticizer(Naphthalene
based)(Sp.gr=1.1) :1%(by
wt.of cement)
3.MIX DESIGN CALCULATION
3.1 Standard deviation for “Good” control
for M20 grade concrete(from Table 1)=
3.2 Target 28-day compressive strength
of concrete=20+ 1.65x4= 26.6N/mm2
3.3 Water-Cement ratio for the Target
strength(from Table 2or Fig.1)=
3.4 Max. W/C ratio for the specified
exposure condition(from Table 2)=
3.5 W/C ratio adopted =
3.2 Target 28-day compressive strength
of concrete=20+ 1.65x4= 26.6N/mm2
3.3 Water-Cement ratio for the Target
strength(from Table 2 or Fig.1)=0.50/ 0.60
3.4 Max. W/C ratio for the specified
exposure condition(from Table 2)= 0.50
3.5 W/C ratio adopted = 0.50
3.6 Max. water content of concrete from
Table 4(for 20mm MSA & slump of
25-50mm) =
3.7 Using superplasticizer(1% by wt. of
cement),this water content is expected
to produce high-workability
concrete of 70-80 mm slump.
3.8 The cement content of concrete
=
The minimum cement content of concrete
for the specified exposure condition
“Severe”(from Table 2) =
Hence O.K.
3.9 Quantity of superplasticizer(1%) =
3.8 The cement content of concrete
=186/0.50 = 372 kg/m3 of concrete.
The minimum cement content of concrete
for the specified exposure condition
“Severe”(from Table 2) = 250 kg/m3
Hence O.K.
3.9 Quantity of superplasticizer(1%)=3.72kg
4.0 Vol. of Coarse aggregate/unit Vol. of
total aggregate for W/C ratio of 0.50
and for Zone I sand (from Table 5) &
for 20mm MSA =
For high workability concrete,
this Vol. of C.A is to be reduced by 10%.
So,Vol. of C.A becomes x = m3/m3
of total aggregate.
4.0 Vol. of Coarse aggregate/unit Vol. of
total aggregate for W/C ratio of 0.50
and for Zone I sand (from Table 5) &
for 20mm MSA = o.60 m3/m3 of total aggregate.
For high- workability concrete,
this Vol. of C.A is to be reduced by 10%.
So,Vol. of C.A becomes 0.6 x 0.9 =0.54m3/m3
of total aggregate.
4.1 Vol.of F.A= 1- 0.54 =0.46m3/m3of total
aggregate. So,54% C.A & 46% F.A.
4.2Absolute Vol.of
cement,water&Superplasticizer:
Solid Vol.of cement= /3.15x1000= m3
Vol. of water = m3
Vol.of superplasticizer = /1.1x1000= m3
------------------------------
Total = m3
4.2 Absolute Vol.of cement,water&superplasticizer:
Solid Vol.of cement= 372/3.15x1000=0.118
Vol. of water =186/1000= 0.186
Vol.of superplasticizer=3.72/1.1x1000=0.00338
--------------------------------------
Total = 0.3074m3/
m3 of concrete
4.3 Coarse and Fine aggregate contents:

Total Volume of (C.A+F.A)= 1-0.3074=0.6926m3

Mass of coarse aggregate
=0.6926x0.54x2740= 1024.7kg (S.S.D)
Mass of fine aggregate
=0.6926x 0.46x 2620= 834.7 kg (S.S.D)

4.4 Estimated Quantities of All Ingredients:

Cement = 372kg
Water = 186 kg
Superplasticizer= 3.72kg
Coarse Aggregate(S.S.D)=1024.7kg
Fine Aggregate (S.S.D ) = 834.7kg
4.5 Actual Quantities of All Ingredients
kg/m3 of concrete
Cement=372
Superplasticizer = 3.72
Coarse Aggregate(dry)=1024.7/1.005=1019.6
Fraction I(10-20mm)(60%) = 611.7

Fraction II(10-4.75mm)(40%)= 407.8

Fine Aggregate(dry)=834.7/1.01=826.4
Water absorption of C.A=1024.7-1019.6=5.1
Water absorption of F.A= 834.7-826.4= 8.3

So, Actual water content= 186+5.1+8.3 = 199.4

 CHEQUE FOR “ULTRAFINE
MATERIALS”
This is for high – workability pumpable
Concrete mix.
Requirement is: Materials finer than
300 micron should be at least 450kg/m3
of concrete( For 20 mmMSA).
Cement =372kg
Sand(passing 300micron)=834.7x0.12 =100kg
-------------------
Total= 472kg
we have to cast 3 concrete mixes with
same workability, with
W/C=0.50, W/C=0.45, W/C=0.55

A relationship between W/C ratio and 28-day

compressive strength of concrete can be
plotted.From that, the W/C ratio
required for the target 28-day compressive
strength of concrete can be arrived at.Which
then can be recommended for field trial.
 CONCRETE MIX PROPORTIONS
USING SUPERPLASTICIZERS
AND FLYASH
Same Example –M20 grade Concrete.In this
case, Coarse Aggregate is dry. But Fine
aggregate is wet, with 6% total moisture.
Superplasticizer-1% by wt of(Cement +
Flyash).
Flyash is to be used:20%(by wt of Cement
+Flyash),and its sp.gr=2.2.
So, OPC+Flyash= 372x1.1= 409kg
OPC(80%)=327kg, Flyash(20%)=82kg
 W/(C+F)=186/409=0.45
For this lower Water-binder ratio,Vol.of
C.A is to be increased.
(For every 0.05 decrease in W/B ratio,the
Vol.of C.A is to be increased by 0.01m3).
So, Vol.of C.A =0.60+0.01=0.61m3.
Now, for high workability of concrete,the
Vol.of C.A is to be reduced by 10%.
So,Vol.of C.A becomes 0.61x0.9= 0.55m3
Vol.of F.A=1-0.55=0.45m3/m3 of total aggregate
Absolute Vol.of cement =327/3150=0.1038m3
Vol.of water=186/1000=0.186m3
Absolute Vol.of flyash=82/2200=0.0372m3
Absolute Vol.of
Superplasticizer=4.09/1100=0.0037m3
---------------------------------------

Total=0.33m3
Vol.of(C.A+F.A)=1-0.33=0.67m3/m3 of
Concrete.
Mass C.A=0.67X0.55X2740=1009kg(S.S.D)
Mass ofF.A=0.67X0.45X2620=790kg(S.S.D)
Mass of dry C.A=1009/1.005=1003.9kg
Fraction I(10-20mm)(60%)= 602.4kg
Fraction II(10-4.75mm)(40%)=401.5kg
Mass of dry F.A= 790/1.01= 782.2 kg
Quantity of wet F.A=782.2X1.06=829kg
Extra water in F.A= 829-790= 39kg. This
water is to be deducted from the mixing
water.
So,finally,quantity of mixing water
=186+5.1-39=152.1kg