Subject CIV2223 Design of Concrete Structures 1

Mix Design Procedure

THE BRITISH METHOD OF MIX DESIGN

INTRODUCTION

The British method of mix design can be used to design mixes for compressive strength,
incorporating either Portland cements or blended cements, and for flexural strength.

The factors influencing compressive strength, considered in this design method, are
free-water/cement ratio, cement type, aggregate type and concrete age. The other
factors, which are not directly considered in this design method includes aggregate to
cement ratio, degree of compaction and curing.

FREE-WATER/CEMENT RATIO

The total amount of water in a mix consists of the water absorbed by the aggregate to
bring it to the saturated surface dry condition – the balanced condition when aggregates
neither absorb water from nor release water into the mix – together with the free-water
required for the hydration of the cement and the workability of the fresh concrete. The
strength of the concrete is related to the free-water in the mix, and is not dependent on
the absorption properties of the aggregates. Figure 1 shows a family of curves for the
relationship between compressive strength and the free-water/cement ratio. They have
been obtained for a large number of different concrete mixes using different Portland
cements and different types of aggregates.

Table 1 accompanies Figure 1, and sets out the approximate compressive strengths of
concrete mixes made with a free-water/cement ratio of 0.5. The data is applicable to
concretes of medium richness cured in water at 20o C.

With all other mix variables held constant, values of compressive strength given in
Table 1 show that an uncrushed coarse aggregate generally produces a concrete with
lower strength than one made with crushed coarse aggregate. If local knowledge
indicates that this is not the case, values in Table 1 should be modified accordingly.
Factors such as the type of fine aggregate, the maximum size of aggregate and the
overall grading have only a small effect on compressive strength.

A value of compressive strength is obtained from Table 1 for a mix made with a free-
water/cement ratio of 0.5 for the specified age, type of cement, and aggregate to be
used. This value is then plotted on Figure 1 and a curve is drawn from this point,
parallel to the printed curves until in intercepts a horizontal line passing through the
ordinate representing the previously calculated target strength. The corresponding value
of free-water/cement ratio is then read, and the value compared with any maximum
value of the ratio that may be specified. The lower value must be used.

Department of Civil Engineering, Monash University

Edition Date: 2/2000
Subject CIV2223 Design of Concrete Structures 2
Mix Design Procedure

90

80
Compressive strength ( MPa )

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0
0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8
Free - water / cement ratio
Figure 1 Relationship between Compressive Strength and Water/Cement Ratio

Table 1: Approximate compressive strengths (MPa) of concrete mixes made with a

free-water/cement ratio of 0.5
Type of Type of coarse Compressive Strengths (MPa)
Cement aggregate Age (days)
3 7 28 91

Type GP or Uncrushed 17 24 38 45
Type SR Crushed 22 31 45 54

Type HE Uncrushed 24 36 47 52
Crushed 31 39 52 60

Department of Civil Engineering, Monash University

Edition Date: 2/2000
Subject CIV2223 Design of Concrete Structures 3
Mix Design Procedure

FREE-WATER CONTENT

The free-water content is read from Table 2 and depends on the type and maximum size
of aggregate to give a concrete of specified workability.

Table 2: Approximate free-water content (kg m-3 ) for various levels of

workability
Maximum size Type of Slump (mm)
of aggregate aggregate
(mm) 0-10 10-30 30-60 60-180

10 uncrushed 135 160 185 200

crushed 160 185 210 225
20 uncrushed 120 140 160 175
crushed 150 170 190 200
40 uncrushed 100 125 145 160
crushed 140 155 170 185

CEMENT CONTENT

The cement content is simply calculated by dividing the free-water content by the free-
water/cement ratio. The calculated value must be compared with any specified
maximum or minimum value. If the calculated cement content is less than the specified
minimum cement content, the latter must be used. This may result in either the free-
water/cement ratio of the mix being less than selected, or the free-water content being
greater than selected, which will produce a concrete with a mean strength higher than
the calculated target strength or a higher workability than specified.

If the calculated cement content is higher than a specified maximum, then it is likely
that the specification for both strength and workability requirements cannot be met
simultaneously with the selected materials. This may require changing the cement type,
the type and maximum size of aggregate, or the level of workability.

TOTAL AGGREGATE CONTENT

In order to be able to calculate the total aggregate content, an estimate of the density of
the fully compacted concrete is required. This can be read from Figure 2. It is also
necessary to know or to be able to assume the relative density of the aggregate. An
approximation can be made by assuming an average value of specific gravity of 2.6 for
uncrushed aggregate and 2.7 for crushed aggregate. The specific gravity of Australian
aggregates generally ranges from 2.5 to 2.9, depending on the source.

Based on aggregates being in the saturated surface dry condition, the total aggregate
content = D − C− W.

Department of Civil Engineering, Monash University

Edition Date: 2/2000
Subject CIV2223 Design of Concrete Structures 4
Mix Design Procedure

Where D = wet density of concrete, kg m-3

C = cement content, kg m-3
W = free-water content, kg m-3
Wet density of concrete (kg m 3 )

2700
Specific gravity of
2600 combined aggregate
(on a saturated
surface-dry basis)
2500
2.9
2400 2.8
2.7
2300 2.6
2.5
2200
2.4
2100
100 120 140 160 180 200 220 240 260 280
Free - water content (kg m 3 )

Figure 2 Wet density of fully compacted concrete

FINE AND CORSE AGGREGATE CONTENTS

The proportion of fine aggregate for use in a given mix is selected from the curves in
Figure 3. The best proportion to use in a given mix will depend on the shape and the
maximum size of the coarse aggregate, the fineness modulus of the fine aggregate, the
chosen free-water/cement ratio, and the desired workability of the mix. The proportion
of fine aggregate found from Figure 3 will generally produce a satisfactory concrete in
the first trial mix, which can then be adjusted as required to meet the prevailing
conditions.

To determine the fine and course aggregate contents, multiply the value read from
Figure 3 by the total aggregate content.

Department of Civil Engineering, Monash University

Edition Date: 2/2000
Subject CIV2223 Design of Concrete Structures 5
Mix Design Procedure

Maximum aggregate size : 10 mm

Slump : 0 - 10 mm 10 - 30 mm 30 - 60 mm 60 - 180 mm
Vebe : 12s 6 - 12s 3 - 6s 0 - 3s

80 Fineness 80 80 80
Percentage of fine aggregate

modulus 3.5
70 70 70 70

3.0
60 3.5 60 60 60
2.5
50 3.0 50 50 50

2.5 2.0
40 40 40 40
2.0 1.5
30 30 30 30
1.5

20 20 20 20

10 10 10 10
0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0

Free - water/cement ratio

Maximum aggregate size : 20 mm

80 80 80 80
Percentage of fine aggregate

70 70 70 70
Fineness
60 modulus 60 60 60 3.5

3.5 3.0
50 50 50 50
3.0 2.5
40 40 40 40
2.5 2.0
30 2.0 30 30 30 1.5
1.5
20 20 20 20

10 10 10 10
0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0

Free - water/cement ratio

Maximum aggregate size : 40 mm

80 80 80 80
Percentage of fine aggregate

70 70 70 70
Fineness
60 modulus 60 60 60 3.5

50 50 50 50 3.0
3.5
2.5
40 3.0 40 40 40

2.5 2.0
30 30 30 30
2.0 1.5
20 1.5 20 20 20

10 10 10 10
0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0

Free - water/cement ratio

Figure 3 Proportions of fine aggregate determined from Fineness Modulus

Department of Civil Engineering, Monash University

Edition Date: 2/2000
Subject CIV2223 Design of Concrete Structures 6
Mix Design Procedure

Fine aggregate content = total aggregate content × proportion of fines.

Coarse aggregate content = total aggregate content – fine aggregate content.

Coarse aggregate content can be subdivided if single sized 10, 20 and 40 mm aggregates
are to be combined. The best proportions will depend on aggregate shape and concrete
usage, but the following ratios are suggested as a guide:
1:2 for combination of 10mm and 20mm aggregates.
1:1.5:3 for combination of 10mm, 20mm and 40 mm aggregates.

TRIAL MIXES

The design procedure outlined above is based on materials which may not be what is
used for your design. It is unlikely that the first mix design would achieve the target
results. It usually takes a few trials before a satisfactory design is achieved.

After each trial mix, the concrete mix design should be adjusted before the next trial.
The following items may be given consideration:

Density: The density of the concrete measured during the trial mix should be checked
against the assumed density during the mix design, and necessary adjustments should be
made accordingly.

Slump: The slump can be adjusted by adjusting the water content and the fine
aggregate/coarse aggregate ratio. Slump can be increased by increasing the water
content and/or decreasing the fine aggregate/coarse aggregate ratio. A slump
adjustment of 20 mm can be achieved by changing the water content by 5 kg and fine
aggregate by 5 kg. The water/cement ratio should be maintained so that the strength is
not altered.

Strength: The strength can be adjusted by adjusting the water/cement ratio according to
the Figure 1. Use the results from the trial mix, the water/cement ratio and the strength,
and plot a pint in Figure 1. Draw the curve parallel to the other curves through the
point, and use this curve to estimate the water/cement ratio required for the target
strength.

Department of Civil Engineering, Monash University

Edition Date: 2/2000