ABSTRACT: The stresses induced in concrete pavements are mainly flexural.

Therefore flexural strength is more often specified than compressive strength in the design of concrete mixes for pavement construction. A simple method of concrete mix design based on flexural strength for normal weight concrete mixes is described in the paper. INTRODUCTION: Usual criterion for the strength of concrete in the building industry is the compressive strength, which is considered as a measure of quality concrete. However, in pavement constructions, such as highway and airport runway, the flexural strength of concrete is considered more important, as the stresses induced in concrete pavements are mainly flexural. Therefore, flexural strength is more often specified than compressive strength in the design of concrete mixes for pavement construction. It is not perfectly reliable to predict flexural strength from compressive strength. Further, various codes of the world specified that the paving concrete mixes should preferably be designed in the laboratory and controlled in the field on the basis of its flexural strength. Therefore, there is a need to design concrete mixes based on flexural strength.

The type of aggregate can have a predominant effect, crushed rock aggregate resulting in concrete with higher flexural strength than uncrushed (gravel) aggregates for comparable mixes, assuming that sound materials are used. The strength of cement influences the compressive and flexural strength of concrete i.e. with the same water-cement ratio, higher strength cement will produce concrete of higher compressive and flexural strength. MIX DESIGN DETAILS IRC: 15-2011 specified that for concrete roads OPC should be used. This code also allowed PPC as per IS: 1489 (Part-1) with flyash content not more than 20 percent by weight of PPC. Accordingly OPC + fly ash may be used in concrete roads. Flyash shall be not more than 20 percent by weight of cementitious material. However, IS: 456-2000 specified that fly ash conforming to grade-1 of IS 3812 may be used as part replacement of OPC provided uniform blended with cement is essential. The construction sites where batching plants are used this may be practicable. In ordinary sites where mixer or hand mixing are done uniform blending of fly ash with cement is not practicable. At such construction sites, PPC may be used. PPC should be used with caution where rapid construction methods like slip form is being used. Joints cutting also need early strength.

1 2

Characteristic Flexural Strength : at 28 days Cement :

4.5 N/mm2 Three mixes are to be designed MIX-A With days MIX-B With OPC-43- Grade conforming to IS: 8112-1989. 7 days strength 40.5 n/mm 2. Specific Gravity : 3.15 MIX-C With OPC of Mix-B and Fly ash conforming to IS:3812 (Part-I)-2003 Specific Gravity : 2.20 Note: Requirements of all the three mixes are the same. Fine Aggregate, Coarse Aggregate and Retarder Super plasticizer are the same for all the three mixes. PPC (Flyash to 18 percent N/mm .
2

based) 7 Specific

conforming

IS:1489-part-I-1991. 37.5

strength

Gravity : 3.00

3 4 5 6

Fly ash replacement Maximum nominal size of aggregates Fine aggregate and coarse aggregate grading Minimum cement content for 4.5 N/mm2 characteristic flexural strength:

: : : :

20% Fly ash is required to be replaced with the total cementitious materials. 31.5 mm Crushed aggregate Given in Table 1 (a) OPC shall not be less than 360 kg/m3. (b) PPC shall not be less than 425 kg/m 3. Fly ash in it 20% maximum by weight of total cementitious materials (c) less OPC + Fly ash mix OPC shall not be than 340 by kg/m3. weight of Fly ash 20% cementations

maximum material 7 Maximum free W/C Ratio :

(a) For OPC 0.45 (b) For PPC 0.50

Workability

40 mm slump at pour the concrete will be transported from central batching plant through transit mixer, at a distance of 15 Km during June, July months. The average temperature last year during these months was 300C.

9 10 11 12 13

Exposure condition Method of placing Degree of supervision Maximum of cement content Chemical admixture

: : : : :

Moderate Fully mechanised construction Good (a) OPC 425 kg/m3 (b) PPC 425 kg/m3 Retarder Super plasticizer conforming to IS:9103-1999. With the given requirements and materials, the manufacturer of Retarder Super plasticizer recommends dosages of 1% bw of OPC, which will reduce 15% of water without loss of workability. For fly ash included cement dosages will be required to be adjusted by experience/ trials.2% maximum by weight of cementitious material 1.96 x 0.40 AND OTHER DETAILS

14 TEST

Values of Z x (for National Highway) DATA FOR

MATERIALS

1. The grading of fine aggregate, 1 & 2 aggregates are as given in Table. 1. 2. Properties of aggregates Tests Specific Gravity Fine aggregate Aggregate 1 Aggregate 2

2.65

2.65

2.65

Water Absorption %

0.8

0.5

0.5

3. S

Target

average + 5.3

flexural =

strength 1.96

for

all S+

A, x

and

mixes Zq 0.40

=4.5 =

N/mm at

28

days

age

4. For Mix A, B and C free W/C ratio with crushed aggregate and required average flexural target strength of 5.3 N/mm 2at 28 days from Fig. 1 Curve D found to be 0.42. This is lower than specified maximum W/C ratio value of 0.45 for OPC and 0.50 for PPC. Note: In absence of cement strength, but cement conforming to IS Codes, assume from Fig. 1 Curve C and D for OPC 43 Grade Take curves C and D for PPC, as PPC is being manufactured in minimum of 43 Grade of strength.

5. Other datas: The Mixes are to be designed on the basis of saturated and surface dry aggregates. At the time of concreting, moisture content of site aggregates are to be determine. If it carries surface moisture this is to be deducted from the mixing water and if it is dry add in mixing water the quantity of water required for absorption. The weight of aggregates are also adjusted accordingly. DESIGN 0.42 for first trial. b) Free water for 40 mm slump from Table 2 for 31.5 mm maximum size of aggregate. 2/3170 PPC may + reduce 15% 1/3200= water without 180 loss of kg/m 3 workability From trials it is found that Retarder Super plasticizer at a dosages of 1.3% bw of Then water = 180 (180 x 0.15) = 153 kg/m3 c) PPC = 153/0.42 = 364 kg/m3 (Required minimum PPC is 425 kg/m3) d) Um = Where, Um=Weight bulk, for For OPC 31.5 and mm 3.00 for maximum PPC size (Fly of ash of fresh concrete kg/m3 SSD based) aggregate Ga=Weighted average specific gravity of combined fine and coarse aggregate Gc=Specific gravity of cement. Determine actual value, in absence assume 3.15 A=Air content, percent. Assume for trial entrapped air 1.5% There is always entrapped air in concrete. Therefore ignoring entrapped air value as NIL will lead the calculation of higher value of density. Take exact value of air as Wm=Mixing obtained water in required the in test kg/m 3 Formula 10 x for calculation A) of + fresh Cm(1 concrete Ga/Gc) weight in kg/m 3 1) Ga (100 Wm (Ga OF MIX-A WITH
2

PPC

a) Free W/C ratio for the target flexural strength of 5.3 N/mm as worked out is

Cm=Cement required, kg/m3 Note:- The exact density may be obtained by filling and fully compacting constant volume suitable metal container from the trial batches of calculated design mixes. The mix be altered with the actual obtained density of the mix.

Um =10 =10 x

x 2.65
3

Ga (100 (100

A) 1.5)

+ +

Cm (1 425(1-

Ga/Gc)

Wm (Ga 153 (2.65

1) -1)

2.65/3.00)

=2409 kg/m f) Fine

e) Aggregates = 2409 425 153 = 1831 kg/m3 aggregate 1 = = 1831 1831 x x 0.45 0.29 = = 824 531 kg/m 3 kg/m 3 Aggregate

Aggregate 2 = 1831 x 0.26 = 476 kg/m3 g) Thus for 4.5 N/mm2 flexural strength quantity of materials per cu.m. of concrete on the basis of saturated and surface dry aggregates: Water PPC Fine Aggregate Aggregate MIXa) b) kg/m3 d) Total Aggregates 1 2 = = = basis = = Aggregate (1) (2) WITH a = ash on = the total 430 430 OPC cementitious x x basis 0.80 0.20 of (sand) = = + material = = SSD of = 2416 1899 1899 1899 of SSD x x x 364 153 = = = are = 1899 551 494 854 given kg/m 3 kg/m 3 kg/m 3 kg/m 3 below: kg/m3 kg/m3 854 551 494 FLY 430 344 86 kg/m 3 kg/m3 kg/m3 ASH kg/m 3, kg/m 3 kg/m 3 Aggregates, Aggregate Aggregate Fine concrete Water OPC Fine Aggregate Aggregate MIX-C With OPC Fly Mix 0.29 0.26 0.45 aggregates 153 364 = Water OPC = 180 = Aggregate (1) (2) B (180 153/0.42 x = = (sand) = = WITH 0.15) = = 364 153 153 425 = 531 476 824 kg/m3 kg/m3 kg/m 3 kg/m3 kg/m3 OPC kg/m 3 kg/m 3

Retarder Super Plasticizer 1.3% bw of PPC = 5.525 kg/m3

c) Density: 10 x 2.65 (100 1.5) + 364 (1 2.65/3.15) 153 (2.65 1)= 2416

Aggregate on the

e) Thus for 4.5 N/mm 2 flexural strength quantity of materials per cu.m of

Retarder Super Plasticizer 1% bw OPC = 3.640 kg/m3

(1) (2) (3) kg/m3 Total (4) (5) (6) Note:

Water Fly

as OPC

worked ash

out = =

earlier

= 344 86

153

kg/m 3 kg/m 3 kg/m3

Density = 10 x 2.65 (100 1.5) + 430 (1 2.65/3.00) 153 (2.65 1) = 2410 Aggregates Fine Aggregate Aggregate = 2410 (1) (2) 0.29 0.26 153 x x x 344 1827 1827 1827 86 = = = = 1827 822 530 475 kg/m 3 kg/m 3 kg/m 3 kg/m 3

aggregate

0.45

(7) Retarder super plasticizer 1.5% bw of cementitious material = 6.450 kg/m 3 (1) Cementitious material worked out as per IRC : 15-2011, which specified: In case fly ash (as per IS: 3912 Part 1) is blended at site, the quantity of fly ash shall be restricted to 20 percent by weight of cementitious material and the quantity of OPC in such a blend shall not be less than 340 kg/m3 . (2) After the first trial mix, its actual density is to be determined, as specified elase where in this paper. The mix proportions shall then be worked out accordingly including the water content, the dosages of Retarder SP for required workability keeping the free w/c ratio with in the permissible limits and adjusting it according to the required flexural strength. (3) The mix proportions given in this paper are for first trial and to be adjusted as per actual site materials, conditions and requirements. For 4.5 N/mm2 flexural strength quantity of material per cu.m of concrete on the basis of saturated and surface dry aggregates of Mix A, B and c are given below: Materials MIX. A with PPC Mix. B with OPC Mix. C with

OPC+Flyash

Water kg/m3

153

153

153

PPC kg/m3

425

OPC kg/m3

364

344

Flyash kg/m3

86

Fine Agg. kg/m3

824

854

822

Agg. (1) kg/m3

531

551

530

Agg. (2) kg/m3

476

494

475

Retarder Superplasticizer kg/m3 W/ Cementitious ratio

5.525

3.640

6.450

0.36

0.42

0.356

Note:1. For exact W/C ratio the water in admixture should also be taken into account. 2. PPC reduces 5% water demand. If this is found by trial then take reduce water for calculation. 3. If the trial mixes does not gives the required properties of the mix, it is then required to be altered accordingly. However, when the experiences grows with the particular set of materials and site conditions very few trials will be required, and a expert of such site very rarely will be required a 2nd trial. CONCLUSION 1. For 4.5 N/mm2 flexural strength concrete having same material and requirement, but without water reducer, the OPC required will be 180/0.42 = 429 kg/m3 2. With the use of superplasticizer the saving in OPC is 65 kg/m 3 and water 27 lit/m3. 3. In the financial year 2009-2010 India has produces 200 million tonnes of cement. In India one kg of cement produce emitted 0.93 kg of CO 2. Thus the production of 200 million tonnes of cement had emitted 200 x 0.93 = 186 million tonnes of CO2 to the atmosphere. 4. If 50 million tonnes cement in making concrete uses Water Reducers 7500000 tonnes of cement can be saved. 3750000 KL of potable water will be saved and the saving of Rs. 3300 crores per year to the construction Industry. 6975000 tonnes of CO2 will be prevented to be emitted to the atmosphere. The benefits in the uses of water reducers not limited to this. When water reduces shrinkage and porosity of concrete are reduces which provides the durability to concrete structures.

5. India is facing serious air, water, soil, food and noise pollution problems. Every efforts therefore are necessary to prevent pollution on top priority basis. 6. As the stress induced in concrete pavements are mainly flexural, it is desirable that their design is based on the flexural strength of concrete. The quality of concrete is normally assessed by measuring its compressive strength. For pavings, however, it is the flexural strength rather than the compression strength of concrete which determine the degree of cracking and thus the performance of road, and it is imperative to control the quality on the basis of flexural strength. 7. As per IRC: 15-2011, in case of small size projects, where facilities for testing beams with three print loading are not available, in such cases, the mix design may be carried out by using compressive strength values and there after flexural strength will be determined as per correlation between flexural strength with compressive strength given the following equation. Where fcr is the flexural strength in MPa or N/mm 2 and fck is the characteristic compressive strength in MPa or N/mm2as per IS: 456-2000. REFERENCES: 1 IS : 383-1970 Specifications for coarse and fine aggregates from natural sources for concrete (second revision) BIS, New Delhi Code of practice for plain and reinforced concrete (fourth revision), BIS, New Delhi Specification for admixtures for concrete (first revision) BIS, New Delhi Specifications for 43 Grade ordinary portland cement (first revision) BIS, New Delhi method of test for aggregate for concrete. Specific gravity, density, voids, absorption and bulking, BIS, New Delhi Specification for pulverized fuel ash: Part-I for use as pozzolana in cement, cement mortar and concrete (second revision) BIS, New Delhi Specifications for portland pozzolana cement (Part-I) Flyash based. (Third revision), BIS, New Delhi

2 3 4 5

IS: 456-2000 IS: 9103-1999 IS: 8112-1989 IS: 2386 (Part-III) 1963

IS: 3812 (Part-I) 2003

IS: 1489-Part-I 1991

8 9

IRC: 15-2011 Standard specifications and code of practice for construction of concrete road (Fourth revision) Kishore Kaushal, Concrete Mix Design Based on Flexural strength for AirEntrained Concrete, Proceeding of 13th Conference on our World in Concrete and Structures, 25-26, August, 1988, Singapore. Kishore Kaushal, Method of Concrete Mix Design Based on Flexural Strength, Proceeding of the International Conference on Road and Road Transport Problems ICORT, 12-15 December, 1988, New Delhi, pp. 296-305.

10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

Kishore Kaushal, Mix Design Based on Flexural Strength of Air-Entrained Concrete. The Indian Concrete Journal, February, 1989, pp. 93-97. Kishore Kaushal, Concrete Mix Design Containing Chemical Admixtures, Journal of the National Building Organization, April, 1990, pp. 1-12. Kishore Kaushal, Concrete Mix Design for Road Bridges, INDIAN HIGHWAYS, Vol. 19, No. 11, November, 1991, pp. 31-37 Kishore Kaushal, Mix Design for Pumped Concrete, Journal of Central Board of Irrigation and Power, Vol. 49, No.2, April, 1992, pp. 81-92 Kishore Kaushal, Concrete Mix Design with Fly Ash, Indian Construction, January, 1995, pp. 16-17 Kishore Kaushal, High-Strength Concrete, Bulletin of Indian Concrete Institute No. 51, April-June, 1995, pp. 29-31 Kishore Kaushal, Concrete Mix Design Simplified, Indian Concrete Institute Bulletin No. 56, July-September, 1996, pp.25-30. Kishore Kaushal, Concrete Mix Design with Fly Ash & Superplasticizer, ICI Bulletin No. 59, April-June 1997, pp. 29-30 Kishore Kaushal. Mix Design for Pumped Concrete, CE & CR October, 2006, pp. 44-50.

Table. 1: Grading of Aggregates IS Sieve Designation Percentage of passing by mass Fine aggregate from river 45% 31.50 mm Crushed aggregate (1) 29% (2) 26% Combined grading of mix IRC: 15-2011 recommended grading of combined aggregates for pavement quality concrete (PQC) 100

100

100

100

100

26.50 mm

100

100

98

99

85 95

19.0 mm

100

100

25

81

68 88

9.50 mm

100

46

58

45 65

4.75 mm

94

44

30 55

600 micron

42

19

8 30

150 micron

10

5 15

75 micron

05

Table. 2: Approximate free-water content (kg/m3) required to give various levels of workability for non-air-entrained (with normal entrapped air) concrete. Maximum size of aggregate (mm) Type aggregate Uncrushed Crushed 190 200 ofSlump (mm) 25 + 10 160 170 40 + 1031.5

Note:- When coarse and fine aggregate of different types are used, the free water content 2/3Wf+1/3Wc Where, Wfsub>=
Free water content appropriate to type of fine Aggregate

is

estimated

by

the

expression.

And Wc= Free water content appropriate to type of coarse aggregate.