Exp No.

CONCRETE MIX PROPORTIONING

AIM
To prepare a concrete mix as per the problem statement and to determine its properties at fresh
and hardened state.
Fresh Properties:

1. Workability by Slump Test

2. Workability by Compacting Factor Test

Hardened Properties: 1. Compressive Strength at 7th and 28th days of curing

2. Density of concrete
Problem Statement
fck (MPa)
Type of work
Exposure
Workability
Degree of Quality Control
Max. size of Agg. (mm)

35
RCC
Moderat
e
Low
Very
Good
20

APPARATUS:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Weighing Balance
Pan Mixer
Shovel
IS Sieves 20 mm, 4,75 mm
Slump Mould
Tamping Rod
CF Test Apparatus
Compressive Testing Machine

BACKGROUND
The proportioning of concrete mixes is usually done in two methods, namely Nominal Mix and
Mix Design.
Wide use of concrete as construction material has laid the use of mixes of fixed proportions
which ensures adequate strength. These mixes are known as Nominal Mixes. These mixes offer
simplicity and under normal circumstances has a good margin of strength. Generally, a nominal

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mix is expressed as aggregate cement ratio. But the nominal mix method does not account for
varying characteristics of constituents and may result in under or over rich mixes.
As per BIS, Any concrete grade of M25 and above must be designed as per IS 10262: 2009. The
following table gives the nominal mix for concrete grades less than M25
CONCRETE GRADE
M5
M7.5
M10
M15
M20

NOMINAL MIX PROPORTION

(Cement: FA: CA)
1:5:10
1:4:8
1:3:6
1:2:4
1:1.5:3

The Concrete Mix design is a process of selecting suitable ingredients for concrete and
determining the proportions which would produce as economically as possible a concert that
satisfies the job requirement (i.e. compressive strength, workability, durability).
CONCRETE MIX PROPORTIONING as per IS 10262:2009
The material properties are as follows
DESCRIPTION
Cement Grade
Fineness Modulus of Fine Aggregates
Water Content of Fine Aggregates
Specific Gravity of FA
Specific Gravity of CA
Specific Gravity of Cement

VALUE
53
2.596
2%
2.58
2.46
3.153

As per the problem statement,

Mean Target Strength ft = fck + kS
= 35 + 1.65 x 5.3
ft = 43.745 MPa
K =Statistical coefficient = 1.65
S =Standard Deviation = 5.3 for concrete grade above M25 and Very Good Quality Control
From Fig 47 of IS SP23, the water cement ratio for Grade E cement is found out to be 0.4.
Since the maximum w/c for Moderate Exposure is 0.5 the ratio adopted satisfies durability
criteria. w/c = 0.4

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From Fig 42 of IS SP23, for maximum coarse aggregate size of 20 mm, the maximum water
content is 186 kg per m3 of concrete and volume fraction of fine aggregates to total volume of
aggregates is 0.35.
As per IS 383, the gradation of Fine aggregates belongs to Zone 2.
Slump of 25 -50 mm and CF of .84 provides the criterion for low workable concrete.
AS per Table 44 of IS SP 23,
Correction for Water content based on CF value = -3%
Correction for Fine aggregate fraction = -4%
Water content = 180 kg/m3 of concrete
Cement Content = 180/0.4 = 450 kg/m3 of concrete
Fine aggregate fraction = 0.31
As per IS 456, Maximum water content for Moderate Exposure : 0.45
Minimum Cement Content for Moderate Exposure: 340 kg/m3 of concrete
Maximum Cement Content: 450 kg/m3 of concrete
So the mix will satisfy the durability criterion.
Volume Calculation:
For 20 mm aggregate, volume of entrapped air = 2% of total volume of concrete
For 1 m3 of concrete,
1=

2
100

450
3.153 1000

180
1 1000

+ Vagg

Vagg = Total Volume of aggregates = 0.657 m3

VCA = Volume of Coarse Aggregates = 0.69 x Vagg = 0.454 m3
VFA = Volume of Fine Aggregates = 0.31 x Vagg = 0.204 m3
WCA = Weight of Coarse Aggregates = 2.46 x 1000 x 0.454 = 1115.6 kg/m3 of concrete
WFA = Weight of Fine Aggregates = 2.58 x 1000 x 0.204 = 525.8 kg/m3 of concrete
Mixture proportion:

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w/c: cement : FA : CA :: 0.4 : 1: 1.168 : 2.48

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OBSERVATIONS
Fresh Properties
1. Slump = 45 mm
2. Compacting Factor Test:
Weight of mould (Kg)
Weight of mould + Weight of concrete (Kg)
Weight of mould + Weight of compacted
concrete (Kg)
Compacting Factor

12.3
24.1
26.1
0.86

Hardened Properties:
Compressive Strength (MPa)
Density (kg/m3)

7th day
42
2457

28th day
52.67
2439

INFERENCES:
1. The concrete is of low workable as per the slump and CF tests.
2. The compressive strength of concrete is well above the required target mean strength.
This is mainly due to very high cement content, thus making the mix uneconomical.
3. To make it economical more trials have to be performed by altering cement and water
content to determine the optimum mix proportion such that the strength, durability,
workability criterion are also satisfied.
4. The addition of admixtures will also aid in making the mix economical.

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