Concrete Mix Design

JINSHAD
 General

The design of concrete mix is not a simple task on account of

1. varying properties of the constituent materials

2. conditions that prevail at the site of work, in particular the

exposure condition

3. Proportion of the materials of concrete found out at

the laboratory requires modification and readjustments to
suit the field conditions.

 Procedure of Design

Structural designer stipulates certain minimum strength

Concrete technologist designs the concrete mix with the
knowledge of the materials, site exposure conditions and
standard of supervision available at the site of work to achieve
this minimum strength and durability.
Site engineer make the concrete at site, closely following the
parameters suggested by the mix designer to achieve
the minimum strength specified by the structural engineer
 Types of Concrete Mixes
1. NOMINAL MIX
Used for relatively unimportant and simpler concrete works.
In this type of mix, all the ingredients(cement, fine and
coarse aggregates) are prescribed.
These mixes of fixed cement-aggregate ratio which have a
margin of strength above that specified. They offer simplicity
and under normal circumstances, has margin of strength
above that specified.
IS:456-2000 permits nominal mixes for concretes of strength
M20 or lower
 Types of Concrete Mixes
1. NOMINAL MIX

Grade Proportions
C: FA: CA
M5 1: 5:10
M 7.5 1:4:8
M 10 1:3:6
M 15 1:2:4
M 20 1:1.5:3
 Types of Concrete Mixes
1. NOMINAL MIX
 Objectives of Mix Design
2. DESIGN MIX
The concrete mix produced under quality control keeping in
view the strength, durability, and workability is called the
design Mix.
Others factors like compaction equipment's available, curing
method adopted, type of cement, quality of fine and coarse
aggregate etc. have to be kept in mind before arriving at the
mix proportion.
The design mix or controlled mix is being used more and
more in variety of important structures, because of better
strength, reduced variability, leaner mixed with consequent
economy, as well as greater assurance of the resultant
quality.
Objectives of Mix Design
 Objectives of Mix Design
1. To achieve the desired minimum strength in the hardened
stage
2. To achieve the designed/ desired workability in the plastic
stage
3. To achieve the desired durability in the given environment
conditions
4. To produce concrete as economically as possible.
 Factors affecting the choice of mix
proportions

1. Grade of Concrete
2. Type and Grade of Cement
3. Maximum nominal size of aggregate
4. Grading and type of aggregate
5. Water Cement Ratio
6. Workability
7. Durability
8. Quality Control
 01: Grade of Concrete

The grade of concrete gives characteristic compressive

strength of concrete. It is one of the important factor
influencing the mix design
Other factor affecting the strength of concrete at a given age
and cured at a prescribed temperature is the degree of
compaction.
The grade M 20 denotes characteristic compressive strength
fck of 20 N/mm2. Depending upon the degree of control
available at site, the concrete mix is to be designed for a target
mean compressive strength
 02: Type and Grade of Cement

The rate of development of strength of concrete is influenced

by the type of cement.
The higher the strength of cement used in concrete, lesser will
be the cement content. The use of 43 grade and 53 grade of
cement, gives saving in cement consumption as much as 15 %
and 25 % respectively, as compared to 33 grade of cement. For
concrete of grade M25 it is advisable to use 43 and 53 grade
of cement.
 03: Maximum nominal size of Agg

The maximum size of C.A is determined by sieve analysis. It is

designated by the sieve size higher than larger size on which 15
% or more of the aggregate is retained. The maximum nominal
size of C.A. should not be more than one-forth of minimum
thickness of the member.
For heavily reinforced concrete members as in the case of ribs
of main beams, the nominal maximum size of the aggregate
should usually be restricted to sum less than the minimum
clear distance between the main bars or 5 mm less the
minimum cover to the reinforcement, whoever is smaller.
 03: Maximum nominal size of Agg

In general, larger the maximum size of aggregate, smaller is the

cement requirement for a particular water-cement ratio,
because the workability of concrete increases with increase in
maximum size of the aggregate.
However, the compressive strength tends to increase with the
decrease in size of aggregate.
IS 456:2000 and IS 1343:1980 recommend that the nominal
size of the aggregate should be as large as possible.
 04: Grading and type of aggregate

The relative proportions of the fine and coarse aggregate in a

concrete mix is one of the important factors affecting the
strength of concrete.
For dense concrete, it is essential that the fine and coarse
aggregate be well graded.
In the case when the aggregate available from natural sources
do not confirm to the specified grading, grading can be
achieved by mixing different size fractions.
The grading of aggregate influences mix proportions for a
specified workability and water-cement ratio.
 05: Grading and type of aggregate

Coarser the grading, leaner will be mix which can be used. Very
lean mix is not desirable since it does not contain enough finer
material to make the concrete cohesive.
The type of aggregate influences strongly the aggregate-
cement ratio for the desired workability and stipulated water
cement ratio.
 05: Water Cement Ratio

Water to cement ratio (W/C ratio) is the single most important

factor governing the strength and durability of concrete.
Abrams water/Cement ratio states that for any given condition
of test, the strength of a workability concrete mix is dependent
only on water/cement ratio.
Strength of concrete depends upon W/C ratio rather than the
cement content. The lower the water/Cement ratio, the
greater is the compressive strength
 06: Workability

Workability of fresh concrete determines the case with which a

concrete mixture can be mixed, transported, placed,
compacted and finished without harmful segregation and
bleeding.
The degree of workability required depends on three factors.
a) Size of the section to be concreted
b) Amount of reinforcement
c) Method of compaction to be used
 06: Workability

For the narrow and complicated section with numerous

corners or inaccessible parts, the concrete must have a high
workability so that full compaction can be achieved with a
reasonable amount of effort. This also applies to the
embedded steel sections. The desired workability depends on
the compacting equipment available at the site.
For concrete mixes required high consistency at the time of
placing, the use of water-reducing and set-retarding
admixtures should be used rather than the addition of more
water
 07: Durability
Durability of concrete is its resistance to the aggressive
environmental conditions.
High strength concrete is generally more durable than low
strength concrete.
In the situations when the high strength is not necessary but
the conditions of exposure are such that high durability is
vital, the durability requirement will determine the water-
cement ratio to be used.
 07: Durability
Durability require low water/Cement ratio. It is usually
achieved not by increasing the cement content, but by
lowering the water demand at a given cement content.
Water demand can be lowered by through control of the
aggregate grading and by using water reducing admixtures
 06: Quality Control at site

The degree of control can be estimated statistically by the

variations in test results.
The variation in strength results from the variations in the
properties of the mix ingredients and lack of control of
accuracy in batching, mixing, placing, curing and testing.
The lower the difference between the mean and minimum
strengths of the mix lower will be the cement-content
required. The factor controlling this difference is termed as
quality control.
 Variables in Mix Design
Fourvariables to be considered in connection with
specifying a concrete mix are

1. Water-Cement ratio
2. Cement content
3. Cement-aggregate ratio
4. Gradation of the aggregates
5. Consistency

Two or Three of the factors is specified and the others are

adjusted to give minimum workability and economy.
 Various Methods of Mix Design

1. Arbitrary proportion
2. Fineness modulus method
3. Maximum density method
4. Surface area method
5. Indian Road Congress, IRC 44 method
6. High strength concrete mix design
7. Mix design based on flexural strength
8. Road note No. 4 (Grading Curve method)
9. ACI Committee 211 method
10. DOE method
11. Mix design for pumpable concrete
12. Indian standard Recommended method IS 10262-82
Indian standard method : IS 10262:2009
Indian standard method : IS 10262

The Bureau of Indian Standards, recommended a set

of procedure for design of concrete mix mainly based
on the work done in national laboratories.
The methods given can be applied for both medium
strength and high strength concrete.
The procedures of concrete mix design IS 10262 1982
was revised to IS 10262 2009
Mix Design Steps
1. Data Collection
2. Testing of materials
3. Target Mean strength for mix proportioning
4. Selecting water/cement ratio
5. Calculating water content
6. Calculating cement content
7. Estimation of proportions for Coarse aggregate
8. Estimation of proportions for fine aggregate
9. Mix calculations
10.Trial mixing
11.Workability measurement (using slump cone method)
12.Test Results
 Step 01: Data Collection
All the required information for designing a concrete mix
from the client.
Grade designation (whether M10, M15, M20 etc)
Type of cement to be used
Maximum nominal size of aggregates
Minimum & maximum cement content
Maximum water-cement ratio
Workability
Exposure conditions (As per IS-456-Table-4)
Maximum temperature of concrete at the time of placing
Method of transporting & placing
Early age strength requirement (if any)
Type of aggregate (angular, sub angular, rounded etc)
Type of admixture to be used (if any)
 Step 02: Testing of Materials
The list of most necessary tests to be
done on cement, coarse
aggregate, fine aggregate and admixture is given below
 Step 03: Target Mean Strength

The target mean compressive ( fck) strength at 28 days is

given by

 Step 03: Target Mean Strength

According to IS: 4562000 and IS: 134380, the characteristic

strength is defined as that value below which not more than 5
per cent results are expected to fall, in which case the Target
mean strength for mix design
The value of the standard deviation has been worked out
from the trials conducted in the laboratory or field.
Step 03: Target Mean Strength
 Step 04: Water Cement Ratio

Different cements, supplementary cementitious materials,

aggregates of different sizes and grading, surface texture,
shape and other characteristics may produce concretes of
different compressive strengths for the same water cement
ratio.
Therefore, relationships between strength and free water
cement ratio should be established based on the materials
actually used.
 Step 04: Water Cement Ratio

Advantages of low water/cement ratio:

Increased strength
Lower permeability
Increased resistance to weathering
Better bond between concrete and reinforcement.
Reduced drying shrinkage and cracking
Less volume change from wetting and drying
 Step 04: Water Cement Ratio
In the absence of such data, preliminary calculation for water
cement ratio as given in IS-456-Table 5 for different
environmental exposure condition(IS 456 - Table 3) may be
used.
These conditions have been set based on durability conditions
Step 04: Water Cement Ratio
 Step 04: Water Cement Ratio

Water cement ratio as given in Fig 1 of IS-10262:1982 may also

be used.
 Step 05: Water Content

The water content i.e. the quantity of maximum mixing water

per unit volume of concrete
The water content of concrete is influenced by a number of
factors, such as
1. Aggregate size size, shape and texture
2. Workability
3. Water-cement ratio
4. Cement and other supplementary cementitious material
type and content
5. Chemical admixture
6. Environmental conditions.

 Step 05: Water Content

The maximum mixing water per unit volume of concrete based

on aggregate size may be determined from IS 10262 Table 2
The water content in Table 2 is for angular coarse aggregate
and for 25 to 50 mm slump range.
 Step 05: Water Content
Factors that can reduce water demand are as follows
1. Using increased aggregate size
2. Reducing water cement ratio
3. Reducing the slump requirement
4. Using rounded aggregate
5. Using water reducing admixture and plasticizers
Factors that can increase water demand are as follows
1. Increased temp. at site
2. Increased cement content
3. Increased slump
4. Increased water cement ratio
5. Increased aggregate angularity
6. Decrease in proportion of the coarse aggregate to fine
aggregate
 Step 05: Water Content

The above adjustments (if the material used differs from the
specified condition) is tabulated below

Type of material/condition Adjustment required

For sub angular aggregate
For gravel with crushed stone
For rounded gravel
For every addition of 25mm slump
If using plasticizer
If using super plasticizer
Increase or decrease in values of
compacting factor by 0.1
Reduce the selected value by 10kg
Reduce the selected value by 20kg
Reduce the selected value by 25kg
Increase the selected value by 3%
Decrease the selected value by 5-10%
Decrease the selected value by 20-30%
Increase or decrease the selected value
by 3%
 Step 06: Cement Content

Different cements, supplementary cementitious materials and

aggregates of different maximum size, grading, surface texture,
shape and other characteristics may produce concretes of
different compressive strength for the same free water-cement
ratio.
The cement content per unit volume of concrete may
be calculated from free water-cement ratio and the quantity of
water per unit volume of concrete
 Step 06: Cement Content

In the absence of such data, the preliminary free water-cement

ratio (by mass) corresponding to the target strength at 28 days
may be selected from the established relationship, if available.
Otherwise, the water-cement ratio given in Table 5 of IS 456 for
respective environment exposure conditions may be used as
starting point.
The purpose of specifying a minimum cement content by IS 456
is to ensure reasonable durability.
Step 06: Cement Content
 Step 06: Cement Content

The supplementary cementitious materials, that is, mineral

admixtures shall also be considered in water-cement ratio
calculations in accordance with Table 5 of IS 456.
The percentage of mineral admixture to be used should be
based on project requirement and quality of material.
 Step 07: Estimation of Coarse Agg
The coarse aggregate used shall conform to IS 383 1970.
Coarse aggregate of different sizes may be combined in
suitable proportions so as result in an overall grading
conforming to Table 2 of IS 383 1970 for nominal maximum
size of aggregate
 Step 07: Estimation of Coarse Agg

For equal workability, the volume of coarse aggregate in a unit

volume of concrete is dependent only on its nominal maximum
size and grading zone of fine aggregate.
Volume of coarse aggregate corresponding to unit volume of
total (saturated and surface dry) aggregate for different zones
of fine aggregate for a water-cement ratio of 0.5 is given in the
Table 3 of IS 10262
 Step 07: Estimation of Coarse Agg

The above volume has been arrived at on the assumption that

aggregates are saturated and surface dry. For any deviation
from this condition i.e., when aggregate are moist or air dry or
bone dry, correction has to be applied on quantity of mixing
water as well to the aggregate.
Step 07: Estimation of Coarse Agg

Adjustment Required in
Change in Condition
Coarse Aggregate
Each 0.05 increase or decrease in free
water cement ratio 0.01

Pumpable concrete for working

- 10 %
around congested reinforcing steel
 Step 08: Estimation of Fine Agg

Quantity of Fine Aggregate can be determined by difference if

the volume of coarse aggregates subtracted from the total
volume of Aggregates to obtain the required volume of fine
aggregate.
Subtract the volume of coarse aggregate from 1, to find out the
volume of fine aggregate.
 Step 09: Mix Calculations

The mix calculations per unit volume of concrete shall be done

as follows.
 Step 10: Trial Mix

Conduct a trial mix as per the amount of material calculated

above.
Step 11: Measurement of Workability

The workability of the trial mix no.1 shall be measured.

The mix shall be carefully observed for freedom from
segregation and bleeding and its finishing properties.
If the measured workability of Trial Mix No. 1 is different from
the stipulated value, the mix proportion shall be recalculated
keeping the free water-cement ratio at the pre-selected value,
which will comprise Trial Mix No. 2.
Step 11: Measurement of Workability

In addition two more Trial Mixes No. 3 and 4 shall be made

with the water content same as Trial Mix No. 2 and varying the
free water-cement ratio by 10 percent of the preselected
value.
Mix No. 2 to 4 normally provides sufficient information,
including the relationship between compressive strength and
water-cement ratio, from which the mix proportions for field
trials may be arrived at.
Step 12: Tests

Prepare the concrete using the calculated proportions and cast

three cubes of 150 mm size and test them wet after 28-days
moist curing and check for the strength.
Modifications in IS 10262:2009
ACI Method : 211.1
Introduction

This method of proportioning was first published in 1944 by ACI

committee 613. In 1954 the method was revised to include,
among other modifications, the use of entrained air.
Almost all of the major multipurpose concrete dams in India
built during 1950 have been designed by using then prevalent
ACI Committee method of mix design.
The ACI Standard 211.1 Recommended Practice for Selecting
Proportions for Concrete gives the method of mix design
which was last updated in 1991.
Assumptions in ACI

ACI Committee mix design method assume certain basic facts

which have been substantiated by field experiments or large
works.
1. Over a considerable range of practical proportions, fresh
concrete of given slump and containing a reasonably well
graded aggregate of given maximum size will have practically
a constant total water content regardless of variations in
water/cement ratio and cement content, which are
necessarily interrelated.
Assumptions in ACI

2. Optimum dry rodded volume of coarse aggregate per unit

volume of concrete depends on its maximum size and the
fineness modulus of the fine aggregate regardless of shape of
particles. The effect of angularity is reflected in the void
content, thus angular coarse aggregates require more mortar
than rounded coarse aggregate.
3. Irrespective of the methods of compaction, even after
complete compaction is done, a definite percentage of air
remains which is inversely proportional to the maximum
size of the aggregate.
Mix Design Steps
1. Data Collection
2. Choice of Slump
3. Choice of maximum size of aggregate
4. Estimation of mixing water and air content.
5. Selection of water/cement ratio.
6. Calculation of cement content.
7. Estimation of coarse aggregate content.
8. Estimation of Fine Aggregate Content.
9. Adjustments for Aggregate Moisture.
10.Trial Batch Adjustments and Testing
Step 01: Data Collection

The following parameters must be determined by suitable tests

a) Fineness modulus of selected fine aggregate
b) Unit weight of dry rodded coarse aggregate.
c) Sp. gravity of coarse and fine aggregates in SSD condition
d) Absorption characteristics of both coarse and fine
aggregates.
e) Specific gravity of cement.
Step 02: Choice of Slump

Generally specified for a particular job. Generally, the lowest

slump that permit adequate placement should be selected.
If slump is not specified, a value appropriate for the work can
be selected from the below Table
Slump
Type of Construction
(mm) (inches)
Reinforced foundation walls and
25 - 75 1-3
footings
Plain footings, caissons and
25 - 75 1-3
substructure walls
Beams and reinforced walls 25 - 100 1-4
Building columns 25 - 100 1-4
Pavements and slabs 25 - 75 1-3
Mass concrete 25 - 50 1-2
Step 03: Choice of Max Agg Size

Large maximum sizes of aggregates produce less voids than

smaller sizes.
ACI method is based on the principle that Maximum Size Of
Aggregate Should Be The Largest Available So Long It Is
Consistent With The Dimensions Of The Structure
In practice, dimensions of the forms or the spacing of the
reinforcement bars controls the maximum Course Aggregate
size
Step 03: Choice of Max Agg Size

ACI 211.1 states that the maximum CA size should not exceed:
1. 1/5 the minimum dimension of structural members,
2. 1/3 the thickness of a slab, or
3. 3/4 the clearance between reinforcing rods and forms.
These restrictions limit maximum aggregate size to 1.5
inches, except in mass applications
Step 04: Mixing water and air content.

ACI Method uses past experience to give a first estimate for the
quantity of water per unit volume of concrete required to
produce a given slump.
In general the quantity of water per unit volume of concrete
required to produce a given slump is dependent on the
maximum CA size, the grading of both CA and FA, as well as the
amount of entrained air.
The approximate amount of water required for average
aggregates is given in Table.
Step 04: Mixing water and air content
Mixing Water Quantity in kg/m3 (lb/yd3) for the listed Nominal Maximum Aggregate Size

9.5 mm 12.5 19 mm 37.5

25 mm 50 mm 75 mm 100 mm
Slump (0.375 mm (0.75
(1 in.)
mm
(2 in.) (3 in.) (4 in.)
in.) (0.5 in.) in.) (1.5 in.)

Non-Air-Entrained

25 - 50 207 199 190 179 166 154 130 113

(1 - 2) (350) (335) (315) (300) (275) (260) (220) (190)
75 - 100 228 216 205 193 181 169 145 124
(3 - 4) (385) (365) (340) (325) (300) (285) (245) (210)
150 - 175 243 228 216 202 190 178 160
-
(6 - 7) (410) (385) (360) (340) (315) (300) (270)
Typical entrapped air
(percentage) 3 2.5 2 1.5 1 0.5 0.3 0.2
Air-Entrained

25 - 50 181 175 168 160 148 142 122 107

(1 - 2) (305) (295) (280) (270) (250) (240) (205) (180)
75 - 100 202 193 184 175 165 157 133 119
(3 - 4) (340) (325) (305) (295) (275) (265) (225) (200)
150 - 175 216 205 197 184 174 166 154
-
(6 - 7) (365) (345) (325) (310) (290) (280) (260)
Recommended Air Content (percent)
Mild Exposure 4.5 4.0 3.5 3.0 2.5 2.0 1.5 1.0
Moderate Exposure 6.0 5.5 5.0 4.5 4.5 4.0 3.5 3.0
Severe Exposure 7.5 7.0 6.0 6.0 5.5 5.0 4.5 4.0
Step 05: Selection of w/c ratio

The required water/cement ratio is determined by strength,

durability and finish ability.
A conservative estimate can be made for the accepted 28-day
compressive strength from prior testing of a given system of
cement and aggregate as shown in Table 10.3
Maximum permissible value also depends upon the type of
structure as shown in Table 10.4.
Step 05: Selection of w/c ratio

Table 10.3: Water-Cement Ratio and

Compressive Strength Relationship
28-Day Water-cement ratio by
Compressive weight
Strength in MPa Non-Air- Air-
(psi) Entrained Entrained

41.4 (6000) 0.41 -

34.5 (5000) 0.48 0.40 Table 10.4 Maximum Permissible
27.6 (4000) 0.57 0.48 Water/Cement
20.7 (3000) 0.68 0.59
13.8 (2000) 0.82 0.74
Step 06: Calculation of cement content

The amount of cement per unit volume of the concrete is

found by dividing the estimated water content by the w/c ratio.
However, a minimum cement content is required to
ensure good finishability, workability, and strength.
Step 07: Estimation of CA content

The most economical concrete will have as much as possible

space occupied by CA since it will require no cement in the
space filled by CA.
Step 07: Estimation of CA content
Table 10.5 Volume of dry-rodded coarse aggregate per unit volume of concrete for
different coarse aggregates and fineness moduli of fine aggregates
Nominal Maximum Fine Aggregate Fineness Modulus
Aggregate Size 2.40 2.60 2.80 3.00
9.5 mm (0.375 inches) 0.50 0.48 0.46 0.44
12.5 mm (0.5 inches) 0.59 0.57 0.55 0.53
19 mm (0.75 inches) 0.66 0.64 0.62 0.60
25 mm (1 inches) 0.71 0.69 0.67 0.65
37.5 mm (1.5 inches) 0.75 0.73 0.71 0.69
50 mm (2 inches) 0.78 0.76 0.74 0.72
75 mm (3 inches) 0.82 0.80 0.78 0.76
150 mm (6 inches) 0.87 0.85 0.83 0.81
Notes:
These values can be increased by up to about 10 percentge for
pavement applications.

To convert from Oven Dry(OD) to saturated surface dry (SSD)

weights, multiply by [1 + absorption capacity (AC)].
Step 08: Estimation of FA content

Quantity of Fine Aggregate can be determined by difference if

the absolute volume displaced by the known ingredients-
, (i.e., water, air, cement, and coarse aggregate), is subtracted
from the unit volume of concrete to obtain the required
volume of fine aggregate.
once the volumes are know the weights of each ingredient can
be calculated from the specific gravities.
Step 09: Adjustment for moisture

Aggregate volumes are calculated based on oven dry unit

weights
Any moisture in the aggregate will increase its weight and
stockpiled aggregates almost always contain some
moisture. Without correcting for this, the batched aggregate
volumes will be incorrect.
Step 09: Adjustment for moisture

The weight of aggregate from the stock pile is

Step 10: Trial Batch and Testing

Using the proportions developed in the preceding steps, mix a

trial batch of concrete using only a much water as is needed to
reach the desired slump (but not exceeding the permissible w/c
ratio).
The fresh concrete should be tested for slump, unit weight,
yield, air content, and its tendencies to segregate, bleed, and
finishing characteristics.
Hardened samples should be tested for compressive and
flexural strength.
Road Note Method(RM)
Introduction

This method of designing concrete mix proportions is mainly

based on the extensive laboratory and field experiments
carried out by the Road Research Laboratory, U.K.
They have established relationship between various properties
of concrete and variable parameters.
A series of standard grading curves have been established to
give grading limits for all-in aggregates graded down from 20
mm and 40 mm.
Introduction

This method of mix design was popular and was widely used up
to 1970s all over the world. Most of our concrete roads and air
field pavements where designed by this method
The procedure of mix design by Road Note No 4 is also called
Grading Curve Method.
The Building Research Establishment of Department of
Environment (DOE) U.K. has evolved another method called
DOE method to replace the earlier Road Note No 4 method.
Rapid Method (RM)
Why RM?

The approaches outlined above will need at least 28 days for

the trial mix of concrete, and 56 days if cement is to be tested
to use
With shortage of cement with interrupted supplies, there is a
tendency to straightaway use cement arrives at site without
waiting for trial mixes.
Difficulties in storing adequate quantities of cement and
aggregates at site is another factor
Rapid Method (RM)

With accelerated curing on the rise, the trial of mixes can be

related to target accelerated strength rather than the target
28 days strength, with the help of correlation between the two
Methods of accelerated curing of concrete for strength
tests are now standardised and covered in IS: 90131978.
A typical correlation is shown in next figure which is based on
cements from all plants in the country and different grades of
concrete, using boiling water method of accelerated curing.
Rapid Method (RM)
Reference Concrete Mix

The reference concrete mix has w/C = 0.35 and workability =

0.80 (compacting factor).
The nominal maximum size of natural crushed aggregate
should be 10 mm and fine aggregate conforming to zone II of
Table 4 of IS: 383 1970 are used.
Typical composition of such a reference concrete mix, per m3
of concrete is
Steps

Step 01 : Determine the accelerated strength (boiling water

method) of 150 mm cube specimens of a standard concrete
mix, using the cement at hand as per IS: 9013 1978.
Step 02 : Corresponding to the accelerated strength in step (i)
determine the water cement ratio for the required target
strength of concrete mix from following figure given in IS 4031-
1968 and IS 10262:1982.
Steps
Steps

Step 03 : Work out the remaining mix proportions as per any

accepted method of mix design and check the workability of
fresh concrete, against the desired value.

Step 04 : Determine the accelerated compressive strength of

the trial mix
Steps
Step 05 : Estimate the 28 day compressive strength from the
accelerated strength in step (iv), using correlations of the type
of Figure and check against the target strength.