CE 563

Fall 2015

MIX DESIGN PROCEDURE FOR NORMAL-STRENGTH CONCRETE (ACI 211)

(See Tables 10.1 to 10.9 attached)
1. Select appropriate slump. See table 10.1.Choose the maximum allowable.
2. Determine the maximum size aggregate used. See project description.
3. Select water content, W. Check for appropriate non-air-entrained or air-entrained table.
See table 10.2.
4. Select water-to-cement (w/c) ratio. Reference table 10.3. Interpolate if required.
5. Calculate the quantity of cement, C.

C=

W
w/c

6. Select percentage of coarse aggregate needed. Reference table 10.8.

7. Convert dry rod unit weight to saturated-surface dry (SSD) unit weight. Reference
absorption percentage provided by materials description. See project description.And,
determine the mass amount of coarse aggregate.
U.W.DRY
=U.W.SSD
1-absorption
G=27

Page 1 of 2

ft 3
U.W.SSD % of coarse agg.
yd3

Checked by:EAG

CE 563
Spring 2015
8. Calculate volume of fine aggregate (sand) required, S. First, convert all mass quantities to
corresponding volume amounts.

G Vol =

specific gravity62.4
WVol =

W
62.4

C Vol =

lb
ft 3

lb
ft 3
C

lb
ft 3
AirVol =assume 1% = 0.0127ft 3
3.1562.4

sum quantities, G Vol , WVol , CVol , A Vol

sand, SVol = 27ft 3 -
mass weight, S = SVol 62.4

lb
specific gravity
ft 3

9. Apply moisture correction. Free surface moisture can be measured by performing the applicable
ASTM for free surface moisture calculation. This is particularly useful for fine aggregate.
Saturated Surface Dry for coarse aggregate can be attained by soaking aggregate for a minimum
of 24 hours prior to mix date. The coarse aggregate will then need to be dried by towels (located
in the concrete lab) such that the aggregate is saturated, but surface dry.

G' = G 1+F.M.G
S' = S 1+F.M.S
W' = W - F.M.G G - F.M.S S
10. Determine batch quantities. Multiply the determined volume of concrete needed (yd3) to each
mass quantity (G, S, W, and C) to calculate the total mass quantities of each constituent
required.

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CE 563
Fall 2015

MIX DESIGN PROCEDURE FOR HIGH-STRENGTH CONCRETE (ACI 211.4)

1. Choice of Slump. From ACI 211.4 Table 4.3.1 choose a slump value. For concrete without
HRWR is best to choose the maximum (4 in.).

2. Determine the maximum size of the aggregate used. This information is provided in the
project description.
3. Select the optimum coarse aggregate content. See ACI 211.4 Table 4.3.3. Table 4.3.3 lists
aggregate contents as a fraction of the dry-rodded unit weight, FG DRUW .

4. Convert dry rodded unit weight (UW DRY ) to saturated-surface dry (UW SSD ) unit weight using
the reference absorption percentage provided with the material properties. The dry rodded unit
weight (UW DRY ) is given in the project description. Determine the mass amount of coarse
aggregate in the saturated surface dry condition, G SSD .
=
= 27

3

3

5. Calculate the amount of mixing water, W, and air content, A. Use ACI 211.4 Table 4.3.4.

Page 1 of 4

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CE 563
Fall 2015

Because the amount of mixing water listed in Table 4.3.4 is for sand with 35% voids, an
adjustment must be made to the mixing water to account for the void content of the sand used in
the mix. The first step is to calculate the void content of the sand (fine aggregate), V, based on
the oven-dry rodded unit weight, UW DRY , and the dry bulk specific gravity, BSG DRY , of the fine
aggregate.
= 1

100
62.4

The dry bulk specific gravity of the fine aggregate is obtained using the saturated surface dry
bulk specific gravity and the absorption values. This information is provided in the project
description.
= (1 )

The mixing water adjustment, WA, is calculated as,

= ( 35) 8

The corrected amount of water, WC, to be used in the mix is calculated as

= +

6. Find the water to cement ratio, w/c. Use ACI 211.4 Table 4.3.5

Page 2 of 4

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CE 563
Fall 2015

7. Find the amount of cement needed

=

(/)

8. Find the amount of fine aggregate, S, needed. First, convert all mass quantities to
corresponding volume amounts. The bulk specific gravity in the SSD condition, BSG SSD , is
obtained from the project description.

Page 3 of 4

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CE 563
Fall 2015
Coarse Aggregate (SSD):
Water:
Cement:
Air:

=
=

62.4

62.4

3.15 62.4

= 27 3

Sum all quantities and obtain the total volume not including the sand
The sand volume is then calculated as

= 27 3

The mass quantity of fine aggregate can be calculated as

= 62.4

9. Apply moisture correction. Free surface moisture can be measured by performing the applicable ASTM
test for free surface moisture calculation. This is particularly important for fine aggregate. The Saturated
Surface Dry condition for coarse aggregate can be attained by soaking aggregate for a minimum of 24
hours prior to mix date. The coarse aggregate will then need to be dried by towels (located in the concrete
lab) such that the aggregate is saturated, but surface dry.

= (1 + )
= (1 + )

10. Determine batch quantities. Multiply the total volume of concrete needed for the beam and all test
samples (in yd3) by each mass quantity per cubic yard (G, S, W, and C) to calculate the total mass
quantities of each constituent required.

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Checked by: EAG

Grace Concrete Products

ADVA 140M
High-range water-reducing admixture

ASTM C494 Type A and F, and ASTM C1017 Type I

Product Description

ADVA 140M is a high-range

water-reducing admixture based
on polycarboxylate technology
specifically formulated to meet
the needs of the concrete industry. ADVA 140M meets the requirements of
ASTM C494 as a Type A and F, and ASTM
C1017 Type I. One gallon weighs approximately 8.8 lbs (1.1 kg/L) and does not contain
intentionally added chloride. It is a low
viscosity liquid that has been formulated by
the manufacturer for use as received.

Uses

ADVA 140M has been used successfully in a

wide variety of concrete applications for
high-slump, low water-to-cementitious ratio
concrete requiring a high-range water reducer
to flatwork in residential applications requiring a mid-range water reducer. ADVA 140M
produces concrete with excellent workability
characteristics for high slump and moderate
slump concrete.
Product Advantages
Can be used as a high-range water
reducer as well as a mid-range
water reducer providing production
flexibility
Consistent air entrainment
Consistent performance across
cement chemistries
Provides a superior combination
of long slump life with near neutral
set time
Concrete finishes easily without
stickiness, tearing or spotty set
characteristics

ADVA 140M is ideal for use in any concrete

where it is desired to keep the water/cementitious
ratio to a minimum and still achieve the high
strength and degree of workability necessary
to provide easy placement and consolidation.
ADVA 140M will also fluidize concrete
making it ideal for tremie concreting or other
applications where high slumps are desired.

Addition Rates

Addition rates of ADVA 140M can vary with

type of materials and application. The addition
rate can range between 2 oz/cwt and 20 oz/cwt
(130 mL/100 kg and 1300 mL/100 kg) of cement.
Typical addition rates are:
High-range water reducer9 to 16 oz/cwt
(590 to 1040 mL/100 kg)
Mid-range water reducer5 to 9 oz/cwt
(325 to 590 mL/100 kg)

Optimal addition rates will depend on other

concrete mixture components, job conditions,
and desired performance characteristics. At a
given water/cementitious ratio, the slump
required for placement can be controlled by
varying the addition rate. Should job site
conditions require using more than recommended addition rates, please consult your
Grace representative.

Compatibility with Other

Admixtures and Batch
Sequencing

ADVA 140M is compatible with most Grace

admixtures as long as they are added separately to the concrete mix. However, ADVA
products are not recommended for use in
concrete containing naphthalene-based admixtures including Daracem 19 and Daracem
100, and melamine-based admixtures including Daracem ML 330 and Daracem 65. In
general, it is recommended that ADVA 140M
be added to the concrete mix near the end of
the batch sequence for optimum performance.
Different sequencing may be used if local
testing shows better performance. Please see
Grace Technical Bulletin TB-0110, Admixture
Dispenser Discharge Line Location and
Sequencing for Concrete Batching Operations
for further recommendations. ADVA 140M

should not come in contact with any other

admixture before or during batching, even if
diluted in mix water.

Pretesting of the concrete mix should be

performed before use and as conditions and
materials change in order to assure compatibility with other admixtures, and to optimize
dosage rates, addition times in the batch
sequencing and concrete performance. For
concrete that requires air entrainment, the use
of an ASTM C260 air-entraining agent (such
as Daravair or Darex product lines) is
recommended to provide suitable air void
parameters for freeze-thaw resistance. Please
consult your Grace representative for guidance.

Packaging & Handling

ADVA 140M is available in bulk, delivered

by metered tank trucks, in 275 gal (1040 L)
disposable totes, and in 55 gal (208 L) drums.
It will begin to freeze at approximately 32F
(0C), but will return to full strength after
thawing and thorough agitation.

In storage, and for proper dispensing, ADVA

140M should not experience prolonged exposure below 32F (0C) nor above 132F (55C).

Dispensing Equipment

A complete line of accurate, automatic

dispensing equipment is available.

ADVA 140M ASTM C494 Type F High-Range Water Reducer Test Data
Cement (pcy) (kg/m3)
Coarse aggregate (pcy) (kg/m3)
Fine aggregate (pcy) (kg/m3)
Water (pcy) (kg/m3)
w/cm
Slump (inches) (mm)
Plastic air (%)
Compressive strength
1 day (psi) (MPa)
7 day (psi) (MPa)
28 day (psi) (MPa)
Initial set time (hr:min)
Length change 28 day (%)
Freeze-thaw resistance (RDME %)

US Units
Control
ADVA 140M
517
517
1944
1944
1144
1214
235
201
0.455
0.389
3.75
3.75
5.5
5.5
1860
4520
5440
4:02
-0.031
92

www.graceconstruction.com

2750
5850
6640
4:18
-0.024
96

Control
307
1153
679
140
0.455
95
5.5

Metric
ADVA 140M
307
1153
720
119
0.389
95
5.5

12.8
31.2
37.5
4:02
-0.031
92

19.0
40.3
45.8
4:18
-0.024
96

North American Customer Service: 1-877-4AD-MIX1 (1-877-423-6491)

ADVA, the ADVA logo, Daracem, Daravair and Darex are registered trademarks of W. R. Grace & Co.Conn.

We hope the information here will be helpful. It is based on data and knowledge considered to be true and accurate and is offered for the users
consideration, investigation and verification, but we do not warrant the results to be obtained. Please read all statements, recommendations or
suggestions in conjunction with our conditions of sale, which apply to all goods supplied by us. No statement, recommendation or suggestion is
intended for any use which would infringe any patent or copyright. W. R. Grace & Co.Conn., 62 Whittemore Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02140.
In Canada, Grace Canada, Inc., 294 Clements Road, West, Ajax, Ontario, Canada L1S 3C6.
This product may be covered by patents or patents pending.
DC-61B
Printed in U.S.A.
11/07

Copyright 2007. W. R. Grace & Co.Conn.

FA/LI/1M