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Mix Design Basics

The document discusses the goals and basics of concrete mix design, including achieving adequate workability, strength, and durability at minimum cost. It explains that minimizing cement content is important to reduce costs, and describes how to do this by minimizing void space between aggregate particles and their surface area. It also covers obtaining good workability and strength through proper cement paste, sand lubrication, and aggregate selection and bonding.

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Iremedio, Nicole Allen S.
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© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
26 views

Mix Design Basics

The document discusses the goals and basics of concrete mix design, including achieving adequate workability, strength, and durability at minimum cost. It explains that minimizing cement content is important to reduce costs, and describes how to do this by minimizing void space between aggregate particles and their surface area. It also covers obtaining good workability and strength through proper cement paste, sand lubrication, and aggregate selection and bonding.

Uploaded by

Iremedio, Nicole Allen S.
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Mix Design

Basics
Mix Design Goals
adequate workability
adequate strength
adequate durability
minimum cost
Cost of Materials

crushed stone = P 800/m3


concrete sand = P 600/m 3

Type I cement = P 2250/m 3

Minimum Cost = Minimum Cement


Minimizing Cement

minimize the void space between


the aggregate particles

minimize the surface area of the


aggregate particles
Minimizing Void Space
Minimizing Surface Area
Minimizing Surface Area
Minimizing Surface Area
Obtaining Good Workability

Need enough
mortar to keep all
the gravel particles
apart.
Inside Concrete
Obtaining Good Workability

Need enough
cement paste to
lubricate all the
sand grains.
Inside Concrete
Obtaining Good Workability

Need enough
mixing water to
lubricate all the
cement grains.
Obtaining Good Workability

Air entrainment
adds lubrication
without adding
additional water.
Obtaining Good Strength
Sources of
Strength

Cement Cement/Aggregate Aggregate


Paste Bond Particles
Obtaining Good Strength
1. aggregate strength is usually not a factor
in normal concrete
2. bond strength is not a factor if the bond
area is high enough
3. cement strength dictates concrete
strength in most cases
Obtaining Good Durability
Sources of
Deterioration

Alkali-Silica Freeze-Thaw Sulfate


Reaction Cycles Attack
Economical Mix Design
1. use as little cement as possible
minimize cost

2. use as little water as possible


maximize strength, avoid bleeding & segregation

3. use the largest gravel possible


minimize surface area to minimize cement, water

4. use a dense sand-gravel blend


minimize void space to minimize cement, water

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