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(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.
(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.
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.
From eqn. 2.7-1, W = 2/3Wf + 1/3Wc = 2/3 × 205 + 1/3 × 190 = 200 Kg/m3
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
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)
From eqns (2.7-3) and (2.7-4), total aggregate content = 2600[1 – 380/3150 – 200/1000] =
1766 Kg/m3
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