Concrete Mix Design Procedure
Concrete Mix Design Procedure
Concrete Mix Design Procedure
CCS 1: Approximate compressive strength (N/mm2) of concrete mixes made with a free-
water/cement ratio of 0.5
iii) Calculate the target mean strength, fm
fm = fc + M ….. [ F2 ]
where;
fm = Target mean strength
fc = The specified characteristic strength
iv) Given the type of cement and aggregate, use the table of CCS 1 to obtain the
compressive strength, at the specified age that corresponds to a free water/cement ratio of
0.5.
CCS 4: Relationship between compressive strength and free-water/ cement ratio.
v) In figure CCS 4, follow the ‘starting line’ to locate the curve which passes through the
point (the compressive strength for water/cement ratio of 0.5). To obtain the required
curve representing the strength, it is necessary to interpolate between the two curves in
the figure. At the target mean strength draw horizontal line crossing the curve. From this
point the required free water/cement ratio can be determined.
Stage 2: Determining the Free-Water Content
CCS 2: Approximate free-water contents (kg/m3) required to give various levels of
workability.
Given the Concrete Slump or Vebe time, determine the free water content from table
CCS 2.
Stage 3: Determining the Cement Content
Cement Content = Free Water Content / Free-water or Cement Ratio ….. [ F3 ]
The resulting value should be checked against any maximum or minimum value that may
be specified. If the calculated cement content from F3 is below a specified minimum, this
minimum value must be adopted resulting in a reduced water/cement ratio and hence a
higher strength than the target mean strength. If the calculated cement content is higher
than a specified maximum, then the specified strength and workability simultaneously be
met with the selected materials; try to change the type of cement, the type and maximum
size of the aggregate.
Stage 4: Determining the Total Aggregate Content
This stage required the estimate of the density of fully compacted concrete which is
obtained from figure CCS 5. This value depends upon the free-water content and the
relative density of the combined aggregate in the saturated surface-dry condition. If no
information is available regarding the relative density of the aggregate, an approximation
can be made by assuming a value of 2.6 for un-crushed aggregate and 2.7 for crushed
aggregate.
CCS 5: Estimated wet density of fully compacted concrete.
With the estimate of the density of the concrete the total aggregate content is calculated
using equation F4:
Total Aggregate Content = D – C – W ….. [ F4 ]
where;
D = The wet density of concrete ( in kg/m3)
C = The cement content (in kg/m3)
W = The free-water content (in kg/m3)
Stage 5: Determining of The Fine and Coarse Aggregate Contents
This stage involves deciding how much of the total aggregate should consist of materials
smaller than 5 mm, i.e. the sand or fine aggregate content. The figure CCS 6 shows
recommended values for the proportion of fine aggregate depending on the maximum
size of aggregate, the workability level, the grading of the fine aggregate (defined by the
percentage passing a 600 μm sieve) and the free-water/ cement ratio. The best proportion
of fines to use in a given concrete mix design will depend on the shape of the particular
aggregate, the grading and the usage of the concrete.
CCS 6: Recommended proportions of fine aggregate according to percentage passing a
600 μm sieve.
The final calculation, equation F5, to determine the fine and coarse aggregate is made
using the proportion of fine aggregate obtained from figure CCS 6 and the total aggregate
content derived from Stage 4.
Fine Aggregate Content = Total Aggregate Content x Proportion of Fines ….. [ F5 ]
Coarse Aggregate Content = Total Aggregate Content – Fine Aggregate
Procedures of Design Mixing
Production of Trial Mix Design
1. The volume of mix, which needs to make three cubes of size 100 mm is
calculated. The volume of mix is sufficient to produce 3 numbers of cube and to
carry out the concrete slump test.
2. The volume of mix is multiplied with the constituent contents obtained from the
concrete mix design process to get the batch weights for the trial mix.
3. The mixing of concrete is according to the procedures given in laboratory
guidelines.
4. Firstly, cement, fine and course aggregate are mixed in a mixer for 1 minute.
5. Then, water added and the cement, fine and course aggregate and water mixed
approximately for another 1 minute.
6. When the mix is ready, the tests on mix are proceeding.