JSS MAHAVIDYAPEETHA

JSS ACADEMY OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION, BANGALORE – 560060

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

CONCRETE TECHNOLOGY

MODULE-4: Concrete Mix Proportioning

 Concrete Mix Proportioning
1. Concept of Mix Design with and without admixtures

2. Variables in proportioning

3. Exposure conditions

4. Selection criteria of ingredients used for mix design

5. Procedure of mix proportioning

6. Numerical Examples of Mix Proportioning using IS-10262

 Concrete Mix Design
 The process of selecting suitable ingredients of concrete and determining
their relative amounts with the objective of producing a concrete of the
required, strength, durability, and workability as economically as possible,
is termed the Concrete Mix Design.
 The proportioning of ingredient of concrete is governed by the required
performance of concrete in 2 states, namely the plastic and the hardened
states.
 If the plastic concrete is not workable, it cannot be properly placed and
compacted. The property of workability, therefore, becomes of vital
importance.
 Concrete Mix Design
 The compressive strength of hardened concrete which is generally
considered to be an index of its other properties, depends upon many
factors, e.g. quality and quantity of cement, water and aggregates;
batching and mixing; placing, compaction and curing.
 The cost of concrete is made up of the cost of materials, plant and
labour.
 The variations in the cost of materials arise from the fact that the cement
is several times costly than the aggregate, thus the aim is to produce as
lean a mix as possible.
 From technical point of view the rich mixes may lead to high shrinkage
and cracking in the structural concrete, and to evolution of high heat of
hydration in mass concrete which may cause cracking.
 Concrete Mix Design
 The actual cost of concrete is related to the cost of materials required
for producing a minimum mean strength called characteristic strength
that is specified by the designer of the structure.

 This depends on the quality control measures, but there is no doubt that
the quality control adds to the cost of concrete.

 The extent of quality control is often an economic compromise, and

depends on the size and type of job.

 The cost of labour depends on the workability of mix, e.g., a concrete

mix of inadequate workability may result in a high cost of labour to
obtain a degree of compaction with available equipment.
 Objectives in Designing a Concrete Mixture
 Concrete may be considered as being composed of four basic
separate ingredients: cement, coarse aggregates, fine aggregates,
and water.
 Another way of looking at concrete is as a graded mixture of fine
and coarse aggregates held together by wetted cement.
 Still another way of viewing concrete is that the coarse aggregates
are held together by a mortar that is composed of cement, fine
aggregates, and water.
 The requirements of concrete are complex, but the ultimate aim is
to produce the most economical combinations of concrete
materials that will satisfy the performance requirements and
specifications.
 Objectives of Concrete Mix Design
A properly designed concrete mixture should possess the following
physical properties:
1. It must fulfil the required strength parameters.
2. Fulfils durability requirements to resist the environment in which
the structure is expected to serve
3. When still in the plastic state, it must be adequately workable so
that it can be mixed, transported and compacted as efficiently as
possible .
4. Other properties that may vary in importance with the location of
the concrete in a structure are permeability and appearance.
5. It must be as economical as possible
 Requirements of Concrete Mix Design
The requirements which form the basis of selection and proportioning of
mix ingredients are :
 The minimum compressive strength required from structural
consideration
 The adequate workability necessary for full compaction with the
compacting equipment available.
 Minimum water-cement ratio and/or maximum cement content to give
adequate durability for the particular site conditions.
 Minimum cement content to avoid shrinkage cracking due to
temperature cycle in mass concrete.
 Types of Mixes
I. Nominal Mixes

 In the past the specifications for concrete prescribed the proportions of

cement, fine and coarse aggregates.

 These mixes of fixed cement-aggregate ratio which ensures adequate

strength are termed nominal mixes.

 These offer simplicity and under normal circumstances, have a margin

of strength above that specified.

 However, due to the variability of mix ingredients the nominal concrete

for a given workability varies widely in strength.
 Types of Mixes
2. Standard mixes
 The nominal mixes of fixed cement-aggregate ratio (by volume) vary
widely in strength and may result in under- or over-rich mixes.
 For this reason, the minimum compressive strength has been included in
many specifications.
 These mixes are termed standard mixes. IS 456-2000 has designated the
concrete mixes into a number of grades as M10, M15, M20, M25, M30,
M35 and M40.
 In this designation the letter M refers to the mix and the number to the
specified 28 day cube strength of mix in N/mm2.
 The mixes of grades M10, M15, M20 and M25 correspond
approximately to the mix proportions (1:3:6), (1:2:4), (1:1.5:3) and
(1:1:2) respectively.
 Types of Mixes
III.Designed Mixes
 In these mixes the performance of the concrete is specified by the designer
but the mix proportions are determined by the producer of concrete, except
that the minimum cement content can be laid down.
 This is most rational approach to the selection of mix proportions with
specific materials in mind possessing more or less unique characteristics.
 The approach results in the production of concrete with the appropriate
properties most economically.
 For the concrete with undemanding performance nominal or standard
mixes (prescribed in the codes by quantities of dry ingredients per cubic
meter and by slump) may be used only for very small jobs, when the 28-
day strength of concrete does not exceed 30 N/mm2.
 Factors affecting the choice of mix proportions
I. Compressive strength
 It is one of the most important properties of concrete and influences
many other describable properties of the hardened concrete.
 The mean compressive strength required at a specific age, usually 28
days, determines the nominal water-cement ratio of the mix.
 The other factor affecting the strength of concrete at a given age and
cured at a prescribed temperature is the degree of compaction.
 According to Abraham’s law the strength of fully compacted concrete
is inversely proportional to the water-cement ratio.
 Factors affecting the choice of mix proportions
II. Workability
 The degree of workability required depends on three factors.
 These are the size of the section to be concreted, the amount of
reinforcement, and the method of compaction to be used.
 For the narrow and complicated section with numerous corners or
inaccessible parts, the concrete must have a high workability so that
full compaction can be achieved with a reasonable amount of effort.
 This also applies to the embedded steel sections.
 The desired workability depends on the compacting equipment
available at the site.
 Factors affecting the choice of mix proportions
III.Durability
 The durability of concrete is its resistance to the aggressive
environmental conditions.
 High strength concrete is generally more durable than low strength
concrete.
 In the situations when the high strength is not necessary but the
conditions of exposure are such that high durability is vital, the
durability requirement will determine the water-cement ratio to be used.
 Factors affecting the choice of mix proportions
IV. Maximum nominal size of aggregate

 In general, larger the maximum size of aggregate, smaller is the

cement requirement for a particular water-cement ratio, because the
workability of concrete increases with increase in maximum size of
the aggregate.

 However, the compressive strength tends to increase with the decrease

in size of aggregate. IS 456:2000 and IS 1343:1980 recommend that the
nominal size of the aggregate should be as large as possible.
 Factors affecting the choice of mix proportions
V. Grading and type of aggregate
 The grading of aggregate influences the mix proportions for a
specified workability and water cement ratio.
 Coarser the grading, leaner will be mix which can be used.
 Very lean mix is not desirable since it does not contain enough finer
material to make the concrete cohesive.
 The type of aggregate influences strongly the aggregate-cement ratio
for the desired workability and stipulated water cement ratio.
 An important feature of a satisfactory aggregate is the uniformity of the
grading which can be achieved by mixing different size fractions.
 Factors affecting the choice of mix proportions
VI.Quality Control
 The degree of control can be estimated statistically by the variations in
test results.
 The variation in strength results from the variations in the properties
of the mix ingredients and lack of control of accuracy in batching,
mixing, placing, curing and testing.
 The lower the difference between the mean and minimum strengths of
the mix lower will be the cement-content required.
 The factor controlling this difference is termed as quality control.
 Factors affecting the choice of mix proportions
VII.Mix Proportion designations
 The common method of expressing the proportions of ingredients of a
concrete mix is in the terms of parts or ratios of cement, fine and
coarse aggregates.
 For e.g., a concrete mix of proportions 1:2:4 means that cement, fine
and coarse aggregate are in the ratio 1:2:4 or the mix contains one part
of cement, two parts of fine aggregate and four parts of coarse
aggregate.
 The proportions are either by volume or by mass.
 The water-cement ratio is usually expressed in mass.
 Factors to be considered for mix design
 The grade designation giving the characteristic strength requirement
of concrete.

 The type of cement influences the rate of development of compressive

strength of concrete.

 Maximum nominal size of aggregates to be used in concrete may be as

large as possible within the limits prescribed by IS 456:2000.

 The cement content is to be limited from shrinkage, cracking and

creep.

 The workability of concrete for satisfactory placing and compaction is

related to the size and shape of section, quantity and spacing of
reinforcement and technique used for transportation, placing and
compaction.
 DATA FOR MIX PROPORTIONING
The following data are required for mix proportioning of a particular
grade of concrete:
a) Grade designation;
b) Type of cement, and grade of cement (if applicable);
c) Maximum nominal size of aggregate;
d) Minimum cement/cementitious materials content and maximum
water-cement/cementitious materials ratio to be adopted;
or
Exposure conditions as per Table 3 and Table 5 of IS 456;
e) Workability required at the time of placement;
f) Transportation time;
g) Method of placing;
 DATA FOR MIX PROPORTIONING
h) Degree of site control (good/fair) or value of established standard
deviation, if any;
i) Type of coarse aggregate (angular/sub angular/ gravel with some
crushed particles/rounded gravel/manufactured coarse aggregate);
j) Type of fine aggregate (natural sand/ crushed stone or gravel
sand/manufactured sand/ mixed sand);
k) Maximum cement content;
l) Whether a chemical admixture shall or shall not be used and the
type of chemical admixture and the extent of use;
m) Whether a mineral admixture shall or shall not be used and the
type of mineral admixture and the extent of use; and
n) Any other specific requirement like early age strength
requirements.
 Illustrative Example of Mix
Proportioning of Concrete as Per Is
10262-2019 Using Fly ash as Partial
Replacement of Cement
A-1: Stipulations for Concrete Mix Proportioning
a) Grade of designation : M 40
b) Type of cement : OPC 43 grade confirming to IS 269
c) Type of mineral admixture : Fly ash conforming to IS 3812 (Part1)
d) Maximum nominal size of : 20 mm
aggregate
e) Minimum cement content and : Severe (for reinforced concrete)
maximum water-cement ratio to
be adopted and/or
Exposure conditions as per Table 3 and Table 5 of IS 456
f) Workability : 120 mm (Slump)
g) Method of concrete placing : Pumping
h) Degree of supervision : Good
i) Type of aggregate : Crushed angular aggregate
j) Maximum cement content : As per IS 456
k) Chemical admixture type : Super plasticizer-Normal
Table 3 Environnemental Exposure Conditions (IS 456:2000) Page: 18
(Clauses 8.2.2.1 and 35.3.2)
 Table 5 Minimum Cement Content, Maximum Water-Cement Ratio and Minimum Grade of
Concrete for Different Exposures with Normal Weight Aggregates of 20 mm Nominal Maximum
Size (Clauses 6.1.2, 8.2.4.1 and9.1.2) (IS 456:2000, Page 20)
A-2: Test Data for Materials
Test Data for Materials
a) Cement used : OPC 43 grade conforming to IS 269
b) Specific gravity of cement : 3.15
c) Fly ash Conforming to IS 3812 (Part 1)
d) Specific gravity of fly ash 2.2
e) Chemical admixture : Superplasticiser conforming to IS 9103
f) Specific gravity of
I. Coarse aggregate : 2.74
II. Fine aggregate : 2.65
III. Chemical admixture : 1.145
g) Water absorption
I. Coarse aggregate : 0.5 percent
II. Fine aggregate : 1.0 percent
h) The coarse and fine aggregates are wet and their total moisture content is 2
percent and 5 percent respectively. Therefore, the free moisture content in
coarse and fine aggregate shall be as shown in (i)
A-2: Test Data for Materials
Test Data for Materials
i) Free (surface) moisture
I. Coarse aggregate : Free moisture = Total moisture content –
Water absorption
= 2.0 – 0.5 = 1.5 percent
II. Fine aggregate :
Free moisture = Total moisture content –
Water absorption
= 5.0 – 1.0 = 4.0 percent
j) Sieve analysis
A-3: Target Strength For Mix Proportioning
Target Strength For Mix Proportioning:
f’ck = fck + 1.65 S
or
f’ck = fck + X
Where
f’ck = target mean compressive strength at 28 days, in N/mm2;
fck = characteristic compressive strength at 28 days, in N/mm2;
S = standard deviation, in N/mm2 (see Table-2); and
X = factor based on the grade of concrete, as per Table 1.
From Table 2, standard deviation, S = 5 N/mm2.
From Table 1, X = 6.5
Therefore, target strength using both equations, that is,
a) f’ck =fck+1.65 S = 40 + 1.65 × 5 = 48.25 N/mm2
b) f’ck = fck + 6.5 = 40 + 6.5 = 46.5 N/mm2
The higher value is to be adopted. Therefore, target strength will be 48.25 N/mm2 as
48.25 N/mm2 > 46.5 N/mm2.
A-3: Target Strength For Mix Proportioning

IS:10262-2019
A-4: Approximate Air Content
From Table 3 (IS 10262-2019), the approximate amount of entrapped
air to be expected in normal (non-air-entrained) concrete is 1.0
percent for 20 mm nominal maximum size of aggregate.
A-5 SELECTION OF WATER CEMENT RATIO
1. From Fig. 1 (IS 10262-2019) , the free water-cement ratio required for the
target strength of 48.25 N/mm2 is 0.36 for OPC 43 grade curve.
2. This is lower than the maximum value of 0.45 prescribed for ‘severe’
exposure for reinforced concrete as per Table 5 of IS 456.
3. 0.36 < 0.45, hence O.K.
 Fig 1. Relationship between Free Water Cement Ratio and 28 Days
Compressive Strengths of Concrete for Cements of Various Expected
28 Days Compressive Strengths

NOTES

1. In the absence of data on actual 28 days

compressive strength of cement, the curves 1, 2
and 3 may be used for OPC 33, OPC 43 and OPC
53, respectively.

2. While using PPC/PSC, the appropriate curve as

per the actual strength may be utilized. In the
absence of the actual 28 days compressive
strength data, curve 2 may be utilized.

Curve 1 : for expected 28 days compressive strength of 33 and < 43 N/mm2.

Curve 2 : for expected 28 days compressive strength of 43 and < 53 N/mm2.
Curve 3 : for expected 28 days compressive strength of 53 N/mm2 and above.
A-6 Selection of Water Content
 From Table 4, water content = 186 kg (for 50 mm slump) for 20 mm
aggregate.
 Estimated water content for 120 mm slump (increasing at the rate of 3
percent for every 25 mm slump)

= 201.62 kg

 As Superplasticiser is used, the water content may be reduced.

 Based on trial data, the water content reduction of 23 percent is considered
while using super plasticizer at the rate 1.0 percent by weight of cement.
 Hence the arrived water content = 201.62 × 0.77 = 155.25 kg ≈ 155 kg.
A-7 Calculation of Cement Content
Water-cement ratio = 0.36

Cement content

= 430.55 kg/m3 ≈ 431 kg/m3

To proportion a mix containing fly ash the following steps are suggested:
a) Decide the percentage fly ash to be used based on project requirement and quality
of fly ash.
b) In certain situations, increase in cementitious material content may be warranted.
The decision on increase in cementitious material content and its percentage may
be based on experience and trials.
NOTE — This illustrative example is with increase of 10 percent cementitious material
content.
Cementitious material content
= 431 × 1.10 = 474.1 kg/m3 ≈ 474 kg/m3
Water content = 155 kg/m3
So, water-cementitious ratio
Fly ash @ 30 percent of total cementitious material content
= 474 × 30 percent = 142.2 ≈ 142 kg/m3
Cement (OPC) = 474 – 142 = 332 kg/m3
From Table 5 of IS 456, minimum cementitious content for ‘severe’ exposure
condition
= 320 kg/m3
474 kg/m3 > 320 kg/m3, hence O.K.
A-8 Proportion of Volume of Coarse Aggregate and Fine Aggregate
Content
From Table 5, volume of coarse aggregate corresponding to 20 mm size aggregate and
fine aggregate (Zone II) for water-cement ratio of 0.50 = 0.62.
In the present case water-cementitious ratio is 0.327.
Therefore, volume of coarse aggregate is required to be increased to decrease the fine
aggregate content.
As the water-cement ratio is lower by 0.173, the proportion of volume of coarse
aggregate is increased by 0.0346 (at the rate of ± 0.01 for every ± 0.05 change in water
cement ratio (Clause 5.5.1, Pg 5, IS 10262-2019)).
Therefore, corrected proportion of volume of coarse aggregate for the water-
cementitious ratio of 0.327 = 0.62 + 0.0346 = 0.6546.
For pumpable concrete these values may be reduced by up to 10 percent. (Clause 5.5.2,
Pg 5, IS 10262-2019). Here, 10 percent reduction is considered.
Therefore, volume of coarse aggregate = 0.654 6 × 0.9 = 0.5891, say 0.59 m3.
Volume of fine aggregate content = 1 – 0.59 = 0.41 m3
Table 5 Volume of Coarse Aggregate per Unit Volume of Total Aggregate for
Different Zones of Fine Aggregate for Water-Cement/Water-Cementitious
Materials Ratio of 0.50
A-9 Mix Calculations
The mix calculations per unit volume of concrete shall
be as follows:
a) Total volume = 1 m3
b) Volume of entrapped air in wet concrete = 0.01 m3

c) Volume of cement

= 0.105 m3

d) Volume of fly ash

= 0.064 5 m3
e) Volume of water

= 0.155 m3
f) Volume of chemical admixture (Superplasticiser) (@ 1.0 percent by mass
of cementitious material)

= 0.004 m3
g) Volume of all in aggregate = [(a-b)-(c+d+e+f)}]
= (1-0.01) - (0.105 + 0.064 5 + 0.155+0.004)
= 0.6615 m3
h) Mass of coarse aggregate = g × volume of coarse aggregate × Specific
gravity of coarse aggregate × 1000
= 0.6615 × 0.59 × 2.74 × 1000
= 1069.38 kg ≈ 1069 kg
i) Mass of fine aggregate = g × Volume of fine aggregate × Specific gravity
of fine aggregate × 1000
= 0.6615 × 0.41 × 2.65 × 1000
= 718.71 ≈ 719 kg
A-10 MIX PROPORTIONS FOR TRIAL NUMBER 1
1. Cement = 332 kg/m3
2. Fly ash = 142 kg/m3
3. Water (Net mixing) = 155 kg/m3
4. Fine aggregate (SSD) = 719 kg/m3
5. Coarse aggregate (SSD) = 1069 kg/m3
6. Chemical admixture = 4.74 kg/m3
7. Free water-cementitious materials ratio = 0.327
A-11 Adjustment on Water, Fine Aggregate and Coarse Aggregate (If
the Coarse and Fine Aggregate is in Wet Condition)
a) Fine aggregate (Wet)
Mass of wet fine aggregate =
= mass of fine aggregate in SSD condition ×
= 719 X

= 747.76 kg/m3 ≈ 748 kg/m3

b) Coarse aggregate (Wet)
Mass of wet coarse aggregate =
= mass of coarse aggregate in SSD condition ×
= 1069 X
= 1085.03 kg/m3 ≈ 1085kg/m3
The coarse and fine aggregates, being wet, contribute water to the mix to the
extent of free moisture over SSD condition. The quantity of this water is
required to be subtracted from the calculated water content.
1) Water content contributed by wet coarse aggregate
= Mass of wet coarse aggregate – mass of SSD condition coarse aggregate
= 1085 – 1069 = 16 kg
2) Water content contributed by wet fine aggregate
= Mass of wet fine aggregate – mass of SSD condition fine aggregate
= 748 – 719 = 29 kg
The requirement for added water becomes :
= 155 - 16 - 29
= 110 kg/m3
A-12 Mix Proportions after Adjustment for Wet Aggregates
1. Cement = 332 kg/m3
2. Fly ash = 142 kg/m3
3. Water (to be added) = 110 kg/m3
4. Fine aggregate (Wet) = 748 kg/m3
5. Coarse aggregate (Wet) = 1085 kg/m3
6. Chemical admixture = 4.74 kg/m3
7. Free water-cementitious materials ratio = 0.327
 ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE ON
CONCRETE MIX PROPORTIONING
An example illustrating the mix proportioning
for a concrete of M-40 grade using PPC
Cement
B-1: Stipulations for Concrete Mix Proportioning
a) Grade of designation : M 40
b) Type of cement : PPC conforming to IS 1489 (Part 1)
c) Maximum nominal size of : 20 mm
aggregate
d) Minimum cement content and : Severe (for reinforced concrete)
maximum water-cement ratio to
be adopted and/or
e) Exposure conditions as per Table 3 and Table 5 of IS 456
Workability : 75 mm (Slump)
f) Method of concrete placing : Chute (Non Pumpable)
g) Degree of supervision : Good
h) Type of aggregate : Crushed angular aggregate
i) Maximum cement content : 450 kg/m3
j) Chemical admixture type : Super plasticizer-Normal
B-2: Test Data for Materials
Test Data for Materials
a) Cement used : PPC conforming to IS 1489 (Part
1)
b) Specific gravity of cement : 2.88
c) Chemical admixture : Superplasticiser conforming to
IS 9103
d) Specific gravity of
I. Coarse aggregate (At Saturated
Surface dry (SSD) Condition : 2.74
II. Fine aggregate (At Saturated
Surface dry (SSD) Condition : 2.65
III. Chemical admixture : 1.145
e) Water absorption
I. Coarse aggregate : 0.5 percent
II. Fine aggregate : 1.0 percent
B-2: Test Data for Materials
Test Data for Materials
f) Moisture Content of aggregate
(As per 2386 (Part 3)
I. Coarse aggregate : Nil
II. Fine aggregate :
Nil
j) Sieve analysis
B-3: Target Strength For Mix Proportioning
Target Strength For Mix Proportioning:
f’ck = fck + 1.65 S
or
f’ck = fck + X
Where
f’ck = target mean compressive strength at 28 days, in N/mm2;
fck = characteristic compressive strength at 28 days, in N/mm2;
S = standard deviation, in N/mm2 (see Table-2); and
X = factor based on the grade of concrete, as per Table 1.
From Table 2, standard deviation, S = 5 N/mm2.
From Table 1, X = 6.5
Therefore, target strength using both equations, that is,
a) f’ck =fck+1.65 S = 40 + 1.65 × 5 = 48.25 N/mm2
b) f’ck = fck + 6.5 = 40 + 6.5 = 46.5 N/mm2
The higher value is to be adopted. Therefore, target strength will be 48.25 N/mm2 as
48.25 N/mm2 > 46.5 N/mm2.
B-4: Approximate Air Content
From Table 3 (IS 10262-2019), the approximate amount of entrapped
air to be expected in normal (non-air-entrained) concrete is 1.0
percent for 20 mm nominal maximum size of aggregate.
B-5 SELECTION OF WATER CEMENT RATIO
1. From Fig. 1 (IS 10262-2019) , the free water-cement ratio
required for the target strength of 48.25 N/mm2 is 0.36 for OPC
43 grade curve. (For PPC, the strength corresponding to OPC
43 grade curve is assumed for the trial).
2. This is lower than the maximum value of 0.45 prescribed for
‘severe’ exposure for reinforced concrete as per Table 5 of IS 456.
3. 0.36 < 0.45, hence O.K.
 Fig 1. Relationship between Free Water Cement Ratio and 28 Days
Compressive Strengths of Concrete for Cements of Various Expected
28 Days Compressive Strengths

NOTES

1. In the absence of data on actual 28 days

compressive strength of cement, the curves 1, 2
and 3 may be used for OPC 33, OPC 43 and OPC
53, respectively.

2. While using PPC/PSC, the appropriate curve as

per the actual strength may be utilized. In the
absence of the actual 28 days compressive
strength data, curve 2 may be utilized.

Curve 1 : for expected 28 days compressive strength of 33 and < 43 N/mm2.

Curve 2 : for expected 28 days compressive strength of 43 and < 53 N/mm2.
Curve 3 : for expected 28 days compressive strength of 53 N/mm2 and above.
B-6 Selection of Water Content
 From Table 4, water content = 186 kg (for 50 mm slump) for 20 mm
aggregate.
 Estimated water content for 75 mm slump (increasing at the rate of 3
percent for every 25 mm slump)

= 191.58 kg

 As Superplasticiser is used, the water content may be reduced.

 Based on trial data, the water content reduction of 23 percent is considered
while using super plasticizer at the rate 1.0 percent by weight of cement.
 Hence the arrived water content = 191.58 × 0.77 = 147.52 kg ≈ 148 kg.
B-7 Calculation of Cement Content
Water-cement ratio = 0.36

Cement content

= 411.11 kg/m3 ≈ 412 kg/m3.

From Table 5 of IS 456, minimum cement content for ‘severe’ exposure

condition = 320 kg/m3
412 kg/m3> 320 kg/m3, hence, O.K.
B-8 Proportion of Volume of Coarse Aggregate and Fine
Aggregate Content
From Table 5, volume of coarse aggregate corresponding to 20 mm size aggregate and
fine aggregate (Zone II) for water-cement ratio of 0.50 = 0.62.
In the present case water-cement ratio is 0.36.
Therefore, volume of coarse aggregate is required to be increased to decrease the fine
aggregate content.
As the water-cement ratio is lower by 0.14, the proportion of volume of coarse
aggregate is increased by 0.028 (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 0.36 = 0.62 + 0.028 = 0.648.
Volume of fine aggregate content = 1 – 0.648 = 0.352 m3
Table 5 Volume of Coarse Aggregate per Unit Volume of Total Aggregate for
Different Zones of Fine Aggregate for Water-Cement/Water-Cementitious
Materials Ratio of 0.50
B-9 Mix Calculations
The mix calculations per unit volume of concrete shall
be as follows:
a) Total volume = 1 m3
b) Volume of entrapped air in wet concrete = 0.01 m3
c) Volume of cement

= 0.143 m3

d) Volume of water

= 0.148 m3
e) Volume of chemical admixture (Superplasticiser) (@ 1.0 percent by mass
of cementitious material)

= 0.0036 m3
g) Volume of all in aggregate = [(a-b)-(c+d+e)}]
= (1-0.01) - (0.143 + 0.148 + 0.0036)
= 0.695 m3
h) Mass of coarse aggregate = g × Volume of coarse aggregate × Specific
gravity of coarse aggregate × 1000
= 0.695 × 0.648 × 2.74 × 1000
= 1233.98 kg ≈ 1234 kg
i) Mass of fine aggregate = g × Volume of fine aggregate × Specific gravity
of fine aggregate × 1000
= 0.695 × 0.352 × 2.65 × 1 000
= 648.29 ≈ 648 kg
B-10 MIX PROPORTIONS FOR TRIAL NUMBER 1
1. Cement = 412 kg/m3
2. Water (Net mixing) = 148 kg/m3
3. Fine aggregate (SSD) = 648 kg/m3
4. Coarse aggregate (SSD) = 1234 kg/m3
5. Chemical admixture = 4.12 kg/m3
6. Free water-cementitious materials ratio = 0.36
B-11 Adjustment on Water, Fine Aggregate and Coarse Aggregate
(If the Coarse and Fine Aggregate is in Dry Condition)
a) Fine aggregate (Dry)

= 641.58 kg/m3 ≈ 642 kg/m3

b) Coarse aggregate (Dry)

= 1227.86 kg/m3 ≈ 1228kg/m3

The extra water to be added for absorption by coarse and fine aggregate,

1) For Coarse aggregate

= Mass of coarse aggregate in SSD condition – mass of coarse
aggregate in dry condition
= 1234 – 1228 = 6 kg
2) For Fine aggregate
= Mass of fine aggregate in SSD condition – mass of fine aggregate in dry
condition
= 648 – 642 = 6 kg
The estimated requirement for added water, therefore, it becomes
= 148 + 6 + 6
= 160 kg/m3
B-12 Mix Proportions after Adjustment for Wet Aggregates
1. Cement = 412 kg/m3
2. Water (to be added) = 160 kg/m3
3. Fine aggregate (Wet) = 642 kg/m3
4. Coarse aggregate (Wet) = 1228 kg/m3
5. Chemical admixture = 4.12 kg/m3
6. Free water-cementitious materials ratio = 0.36
Illustrative Example of Mix Proportioning
of Concrete as Per Is 10262-2019
(Using GGBS as Part Replacement of
OPC)
C-1: Stipulations for Concrete Mix Proportioning
a) Grade of designation : M 40
b) Type of cement : OPC 43 grade confirming to IS 269
c) Type of mineral admixture : GGBS conforming to IS 16714
d) Maximum nominal size of : 20 mm
aggregate
e) Minimum cement content and : Severe (for reinforced concrete)
maximum water-cement ratio to
be adopted and/or
Exposure conditions as per Table 3 and Table 5 of IS 456
f) Workability : 120 mm (Slump)
g) Method of concrete placing : Pumping
h) Degree of supervision : Good
i) Type of aggregate : Crushed angular aggregate
j) Maximum cement content (OPC) : As per IS 456
k) Chemical admixture type : Super plasticizer-Normal
C-2: Test Data for Materials
Test Data for Materials
a) Cement used : OPC 43 grade confirming to IS 269
b) Specific gravity of cement : 3.15
c) Fly ash Conforming to IS 3812 (Part 1)
d) Specific gravity of GGBS 3.0
e) Chemical admixture : Superplasticiser conforming to IS 9103
f) Specific gravity (at SSD condition) of
I. Coarse aggregate : 2.74(based on saturated surface dry condition)
II. Fine aggregate : 2.65(based on saturated surface dry condition)
III. Chemical admixture : 1.145
g) Water absorption
I. Coarse aggregate : 0.5 percent
II. Fine aggregate : 1.0 percent
C-2: Test Data for Materials
Test Data for Materials
f) Moisture Content of aggregate
(As per 2386 (Part 3)
I. Coarse aggregate : Nil
II. Fine aggregate :
Nil
j) Sieve analysis
C-3: Target Strength For Mix Proportioning
Target Strength For Mix Proportioning:
f’ck = fck + 1.65 S
or
f’ck = fck + X
Where
f’ck = target mean compressive strength at 28 days, in N/mm2;
fck = characteristic compressive strength at 28 days, in N/mm2;
S = standard deviation, in N/mm2 (see Table-2); and
X = factor based on the grade of concrete, as per Table 1.
From Table 2, standard deviation, S = 5 N/mm2.
From Table 1, X = 6.5
Therefore, target strength using both equations, that is,
a) f’ck =fck+1.65 S = 40 + 1.65 × 5 = 48.25 N/mm2
b) f’ck = fck + 6.5 = 40 + 6.5 = 46.5 N/mm2
The higher value is to be adopted. Therefore, target strength will be 48.25 N/mm2 as
48.25 N/mm2 > 46.5 N/mm2.
C-3: Target Strength For Mix Proportioning

IS:10262-2019
C-4: Approximate Air Content
From Table 3 (IS 10262-2019), the approximate amount of entrapped
air to be expected in normal (non-air-entrained) concrete is 1.0
percent for 20 mm nominal maximum size of aggregate.
C-5 SELECTION OF WATER CEMENT RATIO
1. From Fig. 1 (IS 10262-2019) , the free water-cement ratio
required for the target strength of 48.25 N/mm2 is 0.36 for OPC
43 grade curve.
2. This is lower than the maximum value of 0.45 prescribed for
‘severe’ exposure for reinforced concrete as per Table 5 of IS 456.
3. 0.36 < 0.45, hence O.K.
 Fig 1. Relationship between Free Water Cement Ratio and 28 Days
Compressive Strengths of Concrete for Cements of Various Expected
28 Days Compressive Strengths

NOTES

1. In the absence of data on actual 28 days

compressive strength of cement, the curves 1, 2
and 3 may be used for OPC 33, OPC 43 and OPC
53, respectively.

2. While using PPC/PSC, the appropriate curve as

per the actual strength may be utilized. In the
absence of the actual 28 days compressive
strength data, curve 2 may be utilized.

Curve 1 : for expected 28 days compressive strength of 33 and < 43 N/mm2.

Curve 2 : for expected 28 days compressive strength of 43 and < 53 N/mm2.
Curve 3 : for expected 28 days compressive strength of 53 N/mm2 and above.
C-6 Selection of Water Content
 From Table 4, water content = 186 kg (for 50 mm slump) for 20 mm
aggregate.
 Estimated water content for 120 mm slump (increasing at the rate of 3
percent for every 25 mm slump)

= 201.62 kg

 As Superplasticiser is used, the water content may be reduced.

 Based on trial data, the water content reduction of 23 percent is considered
while using super plasticizer at the rate 1.0 percent by weight of cement.
 Hence the arrived water content = 201.62 × 0.77 = 155.25 kg ≈ 155 kg.
C-7 Calculation of Cement Content
Water-cement ratio = 0.36
Cement content

= 430.55 kg/m3 ≈ 431 kg/m3

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

To proportion a mix containing GGBS the following steps are suggested:

a) Decide the percentage of GGBS to be used based on project requirement
and quality of GGBS.
b) In certain situations, increase in cementitious material content may be
warranted. The decision on increase in cementitious material content and its
percentage may be based on experience and trials.
C-7 Calculation of Cement Content
GGBS @ 40 percent of total cementitious material content
= 431 × 40 percent
= 172.4 ≈ 172 kg/m3
Cement (OPC) = 431 – 172 = 259 kg/m3
C-8 Proportion of Volume of Coarse Aggregate and Fine
Aggregate Content
From Table 5, volume of coarse aggregate corresponding to 20 mm size aggregate and
fine aggregate (Zone II) for water-cement ratio of 0.50 = 0.62.
In the present case water-cementitious ratio is 0.36.
Therefore, volume of coarse aggregate is required to be increased to decrease the fine
aggregate content.
As the water-cement ratio is lower by 0.14, the proportion of volume of coarse
aggregate is increased by 0.028 (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-
cementitious ratio of 0.36 = 0.62 + 0.028 = 0.648 m3.
For pumpable concrete these values may be reduced by up to 10 percent. Here, 10
percent reduction is considered.
Therefore, volume of coarse aggregate = 0.648 × 0.9 = 0.5832, say 0.58 m3.
Volume of fine aggregate content = 1 – 0.59 = 0.42 m3
Table 5 Volume of Coarse Aggregate per Unit Volume of Total Aggregate for
Different Zones of Fine Aggregate for Water-Cement/Water-Cementitious
Materials Ratio of 0.50
C-9 Mix Calculations
The mix calculations per unit volume of concrete shall
be as follows:
a) Total volume = 1 m3
b) Volume of entrapped air in wet concrete = 0.01 m3
c) Volume of cement

= 0.0822 m3

d) Volume of GGBS

= 0.0573 m3
e) Volume of water

= 0.155 m3
f) Volume of chemical admixture (Superplasticiser) (@ 1.0 percent by mass
of cementitious material)

= 0.0038 m3
g) Volume of all in aggregate = [(a-b)-(c+d+e+f)}]
= (1-0.01) - (0.0822 + 0.0573 + 0.155+0.0038)
= 0.6917 m3
h) Mass of coarse aggregate = g × volume of coarse aggregate × Specific
gravity of coarse aggregate × 1000
= 0.6917 × 0.58 × 2.74 × 1000
= 1099 kg
i) Mass of fine aggregate = g × Volume of fine aggregate × Specific gravity
of fine aggregate × 1000
= 0.6971 × 0.42 × 2.65 × 1000
= 769.86 ≈ 770 kg
C-10 MIX PROPORTIONS FOR TRIAL NUMBER 1
1. Cement = 259 kg/m3
2. GGBS = 172 kg/m3
3. Water (Net mixing) = 155 kg/m3
4. Fine aggregate (SSD) = 770 kg/m3
5. Coarse aggregate (SSD) = 1099 kg/m3
6. Chemical admixture = 4.31 kg/m3
7. Free water-cementitious materials ratio = 0.36
C-11 Adjustment on Water, Fine Aggregate and Coarse Aggregate
(If the Coarse and Fine Aggregate is in Dry Condition)
As the coarse and fine aggregates are in dry condition, adjustment
of water, fine aggregate and coarse aggregate shall be done as given
in A-11.
DETAILS OF TRIALS DONE AT CIVIL-
AID LABORATORY
TYPICAL MIX PROPORTIONS: % ADDITION FROM 28% TO 35%

USING TVPL FLYASH & SUPERPLASTICISER

SUGGESTED MIX (BY WEIGHT) FOR CONCRETE

Cement used 53 Grade, OPC, Max. size of C.A. =20 mm,
Mix Proportion w/cm Slum Cementitious Dosage of Compressive
ratio p content admixture strength (N/sq.mm)
(mm) C + PFA ml/bag 7 Day 28 Day
M20 1:2.05:3.41 0.47 100 220 + 120 =340 300 18.9 29.5

M25 1:1.99:3.29 0.45 100 230 + 120=350 300 22.0 32.5

M30 1:1.80:2.98 0.42 110 270 + 110=380 275 26.2 41.0

M35 1:1.59:2.63 0.38 100 300 + 120=420 300 29.5 45.0

M40 1:1.47:2.44 0.35 120 320 + 130=450 300 36.0 50.0

 TYPICAL MIX PROPORTIONS:

SUGGESTED MIX (BY WEIGHT) FOR CONCRETE

Cement used 53 Grade, OPC, Max. size of C.A. =20 mm
Mix Proportion w/cm Slump Cementitious Dosage of Compressive
ratio (mm) content admixture strength (N/sq.mm)
C + PFA ml/bag 7 Day 28 Day
M45 1:1.35:3.25 0.33 120 340 + 140 = 300 38.9 55.0
480
M50 1:1.23:2.03 0.30 110 370 + 150= 375 41.1 60.5
520
CONCLUSIONS:
Mix Proportioning of concrete mixes shall be based on trial
mixes only. Computer software or mathematical modeling can
only help to arrive at proportions for preliminary trials. It is the
proper understanding of constituent materials of concrete form
the basis for mix proportioning. When it comes to Concrete
with flyash & GGBS, it is the quality of flyash & GGBS which
decides the performance of concrete in both and hardened
states.
References
1) 456-2000 -Code of practice for plain and reinforced concrete (fourth
edition)
2) 383-1970- Specifications for coarse and fine aggregate from natural
sources for concrete (second revision)
3) 2386 (part 3) 1963 -Method of test for aggregate for concrete : Part 3
specific gravity, density, voids, absorption and bulking(Second revision)
4) 3812 (part 1)- 2003 -Specification for pulverized fuel ash: Part 1 For use
as pozzolana in cement, cement mortar and concrete (Second revision)
5) 8112-1989 -Specification for 43 grade ordinary Portland cement (first
revision)
6) 12269-1987- Specification for 53 grade ordinary Portland cement (first
revision)
7) 9103-1999 -Specifications for admixtures for concrete ( first revision)
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