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Characteristic strength = 35 MPa

Step 1: Determining the free w/c ratio

(1a) Given the required characteristic strength at a specified age (28 days), use eqn. (2.8-1) to
obtain the target mean strength at that age.

Target mean strength = Characteristic strength + 1.65σ = 35 + 7.5 = 42.5 N/mm2

(1b) Given the type of cement and aggregate, use Table 2.7-2 to obtain the compressive strength,
at the specified age, that corresponds to a free w/c ratio of 0.5.

Type of cement = Ordinary Portland

Type of aggregate = crushed

From Table 2.7-2, with w/c of 0.5, compressive strength = 47 N/mm2 (28 days)

(1c) In Figure 2.7-2 locate the curve which passes through the point (47 N/mm2, w/c = 0.5); in
this case it is the third from the top of the figure.

This curve shows that, to obtain our target mean strength of 42.5 N/mm2, we need a w/c ratio of
0.56.

(1d) From Table 2.5-7 (Durability purposes), w/c = 0.65. Use the lower value, w/c = 0.56.

Step 2: Determining the water content

Medium slump (5 -25 mm)

W = 2/3Wf + 1/3Wc (2.7-1)

Where Wf = water content appropriate to the type of fine aggregate;

Wc = water content appropriate to the type of coarse aggregate.

From Table 2.7-3, Wf = 205 and Wc = 190 (10 – 30 mm slump)

From eqn. 2.7-1, W = 2/3Wf + 1/3Wc = 2/3 × 205 + 1/3 × 190 = 200 Kg/m3

Step 3: Determining the cement content

Cement content (Kg/m3) = Water content (step 2) ÷ w/c ratio (step 1) = 200/0.53 = 380 Kg/m3
Step 4: Determining the aggregate content

Volume occupied by the aggregate = 1 – cement content/γc – water content/γw (2.7-3)

Where γc (= 3150 Kg/m3) is the density of the cement particles and γw (= 1000 Kg/m3) is that of
water.

Therefore, total aggregate content (Kg/m3) = γa × volume occupied by the aggregates (2.7-4)

Where γa (= 2600 Kg/m3) is the density of the aggregate particles.

From eqns (2.7-3) and (2.7-4), total aggregate content = 2600[1 – 380/3150 – 200/1000] =
1766 Kg/m3

Step 5: Determination of the fine and coarse aggregate contents

From Figure 2.7-3, for a slump of 10 – 30 mm, a w/c ratio of 0.53 and a fine aggregate in
grading zone 1, the proportion of fine aggregate is 49 to 60% by weight, say 50%. Therefore

Fine aggregate content = 0.50 × 1766 = 883 Kg/m3

Coarse aggregate content = (1 – 0.50) × 1766 = 883 Kg/m3

The required mix proportions are:

Cement content : 380 Kg/m3

Water content : 200 Kg/m3

Fine aggregate content : 883 Kg/m3

Coarse aggregate content : 883 Kg/m3


Sieve Analysis for fine aggregates

Mass Percentage Percentage


Sieve size retained (g) retained (g) passing
10 mm 0 0 100
5mm 96.5 9.7 90.3
2.36 mm 295 29.6 60.7
1.18 mm 213 21.4 39.3
600 µm 116 11.6 27.7
300 µm 89.5 9.0 18.7
150 µm 67 6.7 12
pan 120.5

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