Concrete Mix Design

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 Organisation of Presentation

• Introduction : Concrete as an Engineered Material

• Concrete Mix Design
• Methods of Concrete Mix Design
• Mix Design Using IS 10262 -2009
• Variability in Concrete Properties and Statistical Considerations-
Characteristic Strength and Target Strength of Concrete Mix
• Specifications for Concrete Mix Design
• Factors influencing Mix Design – Workabilty Strength& Durability
• Mix Design Computations
• Trial Mix
• Report Format for Mix Design
• Conclusions
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• Concrete is
– Most commonly used structural and
functional material.
– Engineered material.
– Strength, durability and economy are
important material considerations in
hardened state.
– Workability and stability are important
considerations in fresh state.
 Ingredients of Concrete
Concrete is composed of
• Binder [ Hydraulic Cement and Water ]
• Aggregates[ Coarse and Fine] and
• Superplasticizer
Fine Coarse
Aggregates Cement Aggregate

Water

Superplasticizer
[if required]
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 Concrete Mix Design
• Concrete Mix Design is a method of
proportioning the various ingredients of
concrete in order to satisfy the given
specifications at overall economy. It attempts
to ensure most rational use of locally available
concrete making materials for production of
required concrete.
 Types of Concrete Mix
A concrete mix can be :-
• Nominal Mix
Fixed Proportions :Volumetric / By Weight
More or less universal proportions
• Prescribed/ Standard Mix :
Fixed Proportions :Volumetric / By Weight,
Taking account of material properties to a
limited extent
• Designed Mix : Composition derived through
systematic procedures. Composition by Weight
 Methods of
Concrete Mix Design
• ACI method
• DOE method
• Road Research Laboratory Method
• CP110 method
• Mix Design Using IS 10262 -2009
• Other Methods like :- Surface Index Method,
Trial Mix Method, Minimum Voids Method
Fineness Modulus Method – Not presently in
practice
 Mix Design Using IS 10262 -2009
Indian Standard CONCRETE MIX PROPORTIONING -
GUIDELINES

The procedure for Design Mix is based on :-

• Basic principles of Concrete Technology
• Application of probability concepts accounting
for inherent variability in material
• Experimental and semi empirical relationships
associated with various parameters of green
and hardened concrete
 Specifications for
Concrete Mix Design
• Strength : Normally Compressive srength, but may also be flexural /
direct tension
(a) Grade designation:
(b) Early age strength requirements, if required:

• Workability : As per work requirement. Concrete may also be designed

for pumpbaility and very high flow value . The Workability may be
assumed as per clause 7.1 of IS -456

• Durability :
(a)Exposure conditions as per Table 4 and Table5 of IS -456;
(b) Minimum cement content,and Maximum W/C Ratio as
per Table5 of IS -456
(c) Maximum Cement Content as per clause 8.2.4.2 of IS -456
 Concrete Specifications

• Material :
(a) Type of cement
(b) Type of Aggregates
(c) Maximum nominal size of aggregate
(d) Type of admixture and the condition of
use ( If concrete is admixtured)
• Concrete Handling :
(a) Method of transporting and placing
(b) Maximum temperature of concrete at
the time of placing
Variability in Concrete Properties
And Statistical Considerations
 Variability in Concrete
Properties
The properties of concrete are affected by large number of uncontrollable
factors like :-
• Variations in ingredient properties
• Process of hydration is subject to various alternative mechanisms leading
to varying micro structural morphology.
• Variation in the mix proportions due to batching process.
• Variations in the quality of batching and mixing equipment available.
• The quality of supervision and workmanship.
• The effect of external environment such as temperature & humidity
affects strength development.
• Variation due to sampling and testing of concrete specimens
VARIABILITY in properties of concrete from batch to batch over a period
of time.is inevitable
Strength is considered as random variable distributed normally.
 Variability in Concrete Properties
Strength is considered as random variable distributed
normally.

• Variations in concrete strength follow the Normal or

Gaussian distribution. When a large number of test results
are plotted in the form of a histogram, the resultant curve
approaches that of-a Normal distribution curve
• The area beneath the curve represents the total number of
test results.
• The proportion of the results less than the specified value is
represented by the area beneath the curve to the left hand
side of a vertical line drawn through the specified value.
 Variability in Concrete Properties
The normal distribution curve is symmetrical
about its mean, has a precise mathematical
equation and is completely specified by two
parameters, namely, mean strength and
standard deviation.
• The mean strength is defined as the arithmetic
mean of the set of actual test results.
 Variability in Concrete Properties
The mean strength is defined as the arithmetic
mean of the set of actual test results
𝑥
• 𝑥= , where 𝑥 = mean strength, 𝑥 =
𝑛
Sum of the observed strengths, n= number of
samples
• The standard deviation (σ ) is a measure of the
spread of the results
• σ=
 Normal distribution
Frequency

Variable Value[Range]
Area sectorial uμnder
NPD Curve

𝑧
𝑋−𝑋
Normal deviate (𝑧) = σ
 Variability in Concrete Properties
• The standard deviation (σ ) is a measure of the
spread of the results

• σ=
 Statistical coefficient ( K) [Normal deviate ]based on different
acceptability criteria

Percentage probability of Percentage probability of

results below the 𝒌 results below the specified 𝒌
specified strength ( strength ( Characteristic )
Characteristic )

50.0 0.0 2.5 1.95

16.0 1.00 1.0 2.33
10.0 1.28 0.5 2.58
5.0 1.64 0.0 Infinity
 Normal distribution Curve
Effect of standard deviation on shape of the Curve

μ
 Target Strength of
Concrete Mix

Concrete Mix design is done in the

Laboratory.
In order to ensure that the field results
provide given strength greater than the
characteristic strength as per the acceptance
criteria the concrete mix is deigned
designed for a higher strength called as
target strength (ft )
 Target Strength of Concrete Mix

ft = fck + K σ

Where : ft = Target strength

fck = Characteristic Strength
K = A statistical coefficient
based on different
acceptability criteria
σ = Standard deviation of mix
 Characteristic Strength
• Not more than 5% results are expected to fall below
this value when test is conducted according to
standard procedures.

• This is a universally accepted criteria.

• Greater the Safety ( Characteristic value defined with
very small probability of failure ) Costlier are the
structures.

• Therefore selection of Acceptance criteria is a trade off

between safety & economy
• M20 Grade Concrete
• In M20, M stands for designed Concrete
Mix.
• 20 N/ mm2 is the characteristic strength
at 28days obtained on 15cm Cube
compacted, cured and tested as per
standard practice.
 Material Specifications
for Concrete

• Fresh state Properties :

Workability ( In terms of Slump Values or CF)
& stability
• Hardened State Properties :
Strength ( In terms of characteristic
strength )&
Durability (In terms of Exposure
Environment)
Workability of Concrete
.
 Recommended Workability
( In terms of Slump Values or CF) as per IS 456 Clause 7.1

Vee- Be Time may be assessed

Flow Value may be assessed

 Stability of Concrete

For Smooth Finish Fine aggregate passing 300

µm Sieve > 15% & passing 150 µm Sieve ~ 3-4%
For air entrained Concrete Fraction between
.

600-150 µm is effective.
 Strength of Concrete

• Compressive Strength is representative of

Mechanical strength
• Fundamentally Water-cementitious ratio governs
compressive strength .

• Other factors that affect strength of hardened

concrete- Types of Cement Aggregate Properties,
Humidity, Temperature, Age, Testing Regime.
.
 Strength of Concrete

• Relationship between Water-cementitious ratio &

compressive strength for given workability and Type of
Cement Aggregate at given age under standard Testing
Regime is given by : .

• Abram’s Law
• Ferrets’s Law
• Power’s Law
.
 Strength of Concrete

• Abram’s Law
𝐴
σ = 𝐵 𝑤/𝑐 Where A, B are constants, w/c by volume

• Ferrets’s Law
𝐶
σ=K[ ]2 Where c= Cement content , w=water.
𝐶+𝑤+𝑎
content , and a= air content by volume, K is constant

• Power’s Law
2.06𝑋𝛼𝑋 𝑉𝑐
σ = K1 x3 X= Gel space ratio = , K1 = Constant =230 Mpa
𝑉𝑐+𝑤/𝑐
.
Durability
.
 Environmental Exposure
Conditions as per IS 456-2000

.
Mix Parameters for Durability
Conditions as per IS 456-2000

.
Durability Considerations for Sulphate
affected Environment

.
 Mix Design Input
• Concrete Specifications
• Target Strength of Concrete Mix
• Material Properties :
• Approximate Water Content for Workabilty
• Selection of free water cement ratio (by
mass) corresponding to the target strength at
28 days
 Mix Proportioning
Calculation of
Cementitious Material Content

• Cementitious Material Content ( 𝒄 + 𝒎 )

𝑾
= 𝑾 ,
𝒄+𝒎
• Maximum / Minimum cement content
 Mix Proportioning
Coarse Aggregate Proportion
• Volume of Concrete = 1 m3
𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝐶𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 1
• Volume of Cement [ Vc] = 𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐 𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝐶𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡
X
1000
𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑊𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 1
• Volume of Water [ Vw] = 𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐 𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑊𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟
X
1000
• Volume of Superplasticizer [ Vsp] =
𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑆𝑢𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑃𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑧𝑒𝑟 1
X
𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐 𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑆𝑢𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑃𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑧𝑒𝑟 1000
• Volume of all in aggregate [ Va ] = 1- Vc - Vw - Vsp
• Volume of Coarse Aggregate [ Vca] = α Va ,
Where α= Volume fraction as per Table 3 above.
• Mass of Coarse Aggregate[ kg] =
Specific Gravity of CA x Vca x 1000
 Mix Proportioning
Estimation of
Fine Aggregate Proportion

• Volume of Fine Aggregate [ Vfa] =(1- α) Va ,

Where α= Volume fraction as per Table 3
above.
• Mass of Fine Aggregate[Kg] = Specific
Gravity of FA x Vfa x 1000
 Mix Proportioning
Application of Superplasticizers

Superplasticizers (High Range Water reducer)

• ASTM C494 Type F and Type G, reduce amount of
water by 12% to 30% while maintaining a certain level
of consistency and workability (typically from 75 mm to
200 mm)
• Also increase workability for reduction in w/cm ratio.
• The use of superplasticizers may produce high strength
concrete
• Used in producing flowing concrete used in a heavy
reinforced structure with inaccessible areas.
 Mix Proportioning
Application of Superplasticizers
• Effect of Superplasticizer on water content
 TRIAL MIXES
• As the concrete mix is based on empirical
relationship the calculated mix proportions
should be checked by means of trial
batches[mixes].
• Generally Four Trial Mixes will. be prepared
for finally arriving at a mix for field
application.
• The results of these mixes will also provide
design data for mix design on same material.
 Evaluation of Trial Mixes
Trial Mix Controlled Variable Mix Inference
observation
I Calculated mix for Workability If the measured workability of
given workability Trial Mix No. I is different from
the stipulated value, the water
and/or admixture content shall
be adjusted suitably.
II With modified mix Workability & Acceptable Workability and
[ adjusted water strength provides sufficient
content and/or information. including the
admixture content ] , relationship between
but keeping the free compressive strength and
water-cement ratio water-cement ratio to be used
at the pre-selected as design data.
value.
 Evaluation of Trial Mixes
Trial Mix Controlled Variable Mix Inference
observation
III Mix proportions Strength Provides sufficient
with (+10%) increase information. including the
in free water- relationship between
cement ratio compressive strength and
water-cement ratio to be
used as design data
IV Mix proportions Strength provides sufficient
with (-10%) information. including the
increase in free relationship between
water-cement ratio compressive strength and
water-cement ratio to be
used as design data
 Recommended Mix Proportions
for 1 Cum of Concrete
Particulars Water On Cement Aggregate Admixture
SSD
Condition
Natural 20mm 12.5/
Sand 10.0
mm
Weight
Composition
( in Kg)
Weight
Proportion
 Test Results on
Recommended Mix Proportion for the
Given Concrete Mix Design
(i) Fresh State Evaluations :

S. Particulars Observations / Test Results

No

1 Appearance
2 Workability

(ii) Hardened State Evaluations:

Age Compressive Strength Average Density (Kg/m3)

(N/mm2)
7 Days
28 Days
 Recommendations
• The performance of the proposed concrete
mix in fresh state is satisfactory . The average
compressive strength of associated concrete
cubes at 28days is above target compressive
strength, therefore the recommended mix
also satisfies strength requirements of
required concrete. Hence is recommended for
field application.
 Conclusions
• Method of Concrete Design Mix is a
systematic procedure is based on
fundamentals of concrete technology.
• It is based on Probabilistic evaluation,
material properties and inservice durability
considerations.
• Trial Mixes are essential for validation of
proposed mix.