DEVELOPMENT OF MIX DESIGN FOR HIGH STRENGTH

CONCRETE
M. Yaqub*, University of Engineering and Technology Taxila, Pakistan
Imran Bukhari, University of Engineering and Technology Taxila, Pakistan

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31st Conference on OUR WORLD IN CONCRETE & STRUCTURES: 16 17 August 2006, Singapore

DEVELOPMENT OF MIX DESIGN FOR HIGH STRENGTH

CONCRETE
M. Yaqub*, University of Engineering and Technology Taxila, Pakistan
Imran Bukhari, University of Engineering and Technology Taxila, Pakistan

Abstract
This paper present the result of mix design developed for high strength
concrete. Development of mix design method plays a key not in concrete technology.
It involves the process of determining experimentally the most suitable concrete
mixes in order to achieve maximum strength with at least economic expenditures. In
this research work the locally available constituents of concrete were selected for the
purpose of determining their relative quantities and proportions for best results. As
the trend of high strength increase in all over the world it is strong need to investigate
the factor enhancing the compressive strength of concrete at least economical
expenditure. To make economical use of high strength concrete in Pakistan a mix
design for high strength concrete was developed. In this research work four mix were
selected to achieve a compressive strength up to 162 Mpa. The variables were
aggregate sizes and mix ratio. Four mix ratios by weight were selected with 0.3
water cement ratio. Ultra 727 super plasticizer was used to improve the workability of
concrete mix. Locally available coarse and fine aggregates were used with ordinary
Portland cement. It was concluded that the compressive strength depends on mix
ratio, size and texture of aggregates and method of compaction. It is further
concluded that 1:0.75:1.5 showed higher strength than other three mix ratios.
Keywords: High strength concrete, Compressive strength, Aggregates, Mix design.

1.
INTRODUCTION
The use of high strength concrete is expected to increase as we move into next century in both United
States and other areas of world. In recent years there has been a rapid growth of interest in highstrength concrete. The concrete which has cylinder compressive strength more than 41Mp is known
as high strength concrete. High strength concrete differ from normal strength concrete in that it
variably contains a high rang water reducer (or super plasticizer), while the normal strength concrete
contains it rarely. All other basic ingredients may be the same, namely Portland cement, aggregate
water and admixture. As for as other ingredients are concerned such as retarders, fly ash, blast
furnace slag and silica fume. They may or may not be presented in either type of concrete [1].
The design of concrete mixtures involves the determination of the most economical and
practical combination of concrete ingredients to achieve concrete that is workable in its plastic state
and will develop the required qualities when hardened [2].
The British approach is to recognize four method of specifying concrete mixes [3]. A design
mix is specified by the designer principally in terms of strength cement content and water cement
ratio. Compliance relies On strength testing. In the American practice, when there is no experience on
the basis of which mix proportions could be selected and trial mixes made, it is necessary to base the
mi proportion an standard proportion which in order to be safe are perforce very stringent. This
approach can be used only for low strength concrete [4].
2.

Objectives:
The objective of research was to develop high strength concrete mix design using local
material under local environment of Pakistan.
3.

Experimental Program:
The experimental work has been carried out to develop mix design for high strength concrete.
Four basic ingredients were used in this experimental work. The coarse aggregate was collected from
Margallah Hills and the type used was CRUSHED having maximum size (3/4) 20mm.The fine
aggregate was Lawrence pure sand. Ordinary Portland cement was used as binding material. Supper
plasticizer (ultra type A& F) was used in order to increase workability of concrete .The first step in the
experimental work was of air dry the aggregate sample so as to avoid lumps and to prevent clogging
of fine sieve. The gradation of coarse and fine aggregate was done according to ASTMC33 as shown
in table-1 & table.2.The second step in the experimental program was to find the specific gravities of
fine, coarse aggregates and cement which were 2.68, 2.7 and 3.04 respectively. The fineness
modulus of fine aggregate used was 3.48. In third step batching of ingredients of aggregates and
cement was done by weight mix ratio. A mixing machine (non tilting rotating drum) was used for
mixing the various constituents of concrete. A small amount of water was fed first followed by all the
solid materials simultaneously into the mixer i.e. the sand fed first, then part of the coarse aggregate,
cement and water and then finally the remainder of the coarse aggregate was fed into machine so as
to break up any modules of mortar. The specific gravity of supper plasticize was 1.19 at 20c0 .To
check workability slump test was performed. The specimens were cast in steel mould of
150mmx300mm (6x12) cylinders. The mould was properly greased by using oil in order to prevent
the adhesion of concrete to the steel moulds. The concrete was poured into the mould in three layers
each layer being compacted by 25 blows with a standard 16mm diameter steel rod, rounded at the
end. After compaction third layer the upper surface of the concrete was leveled. Precautions were
taken to avoid over compaction which loads to segregation. After 24 hours in the moulds the
specimens were removed and placed in water tank for 7 days 14 days and 28 days.
Three cylinder of each strength level were tested after 7, 14 and 28 days. Crushing strength
was performed on the cylinder after two hours of removal from the curing tank. Load was applied
continuously with a standard rail of 13.8 Mpa/min (2000psi/min). the load was applied till the cracks in
the specimen were develop which mean that the failure of the specimen has occurred at the point, the
reading of the load in KN was noted from dial gauge.
4.

Analysis of Results & Discussion

The methods of mix design are going to be developed after collection of a large experimental
data. Trial mixes are made and optimum aggregate size is determined. The properties of coarse
aggregates and fine aggregate have most important role in the development of high strength
concrete. In this research work four mix proportions were cast and the mix proportion 1:0.75:1.5 with
w/c0.3 showed high compressive strength. The w/c ratio for all mixes was fixed i.e. 0.3 & it is found

that for the mix ratio 1:0.75:1.5 minimum dosage of admixture i.e. 1 litre/100Kg of cement gives
collapse in slump.
Table 1 :

Gradation of Fine Aggregate

BS(mm)

ASTM

Mass

% Retained

Retained

Cumulative

Cumulative %

% passing

retained

10

3/8

100

40

4.66

95.34

4.66

2.36

120

13.986

81.354

18.646

1.18

16

190

22.144

59.21

40.79

600 m

30

390

45.454

13.756

86.244

300 m

50

98

11.422

2.334

97.666

150 m

100

20

2.33

0.001

99.999

<150 m

<100
Total

858

Total

348
Fineness Modulus = 3.48

Table-2:
BS(mm)

Gradation of Coarse Aggregate

ASTM

Mass

(inch)

Retained

25

20

3/4

10
5

Table 3:

% Retained

Cumulative

Cumulative %

% passing

retained

100

244

4.87

95.34

4.87

3/8

3420

68.26

26.87

74.13

3/16

1270

25.34

1.53

98.47

76

1.5

Results of the Tested Specimen Cylindrical Compressive Strength

425

7 days
compressive
strength
Mpa
24

14 days
compressive
strength
Mpa
52

28 days
compressive
strength
Mpa
145

25

482

30

56

147

0.3

Collapse

550

32

57

149

0.3

Collapse

650

45

60

162

Mix ratio

Water
cement
ratio

Slump

Cement
content
kg/m3

1:1.5:3

0.3

20

1:1.25:2.5

0.3

1:1:2
1:.75:1.5

5.

Conclusion:
In this research work local material of Pakistan was used to develop high strength concrete.
The properties of fresh & hardness concrete were examined. The conclusions are as follows:
1. In the development of mix design method for high strength concrete the smaller size
aggregate plays very important role in the achievement of high compressive strength.
2. The fineness modulus of fine aggregate also play very important role in the development of
high strength concrete with the increase in the fineness modulus strength of concrete
increase.
3. With the increase of cement contents the strength of concrete increases.
4. The mix ratio 1:0.75:1.5 gives strength up to 162 Mpa.

6.

References:

[1]

Aitcin, P-C and Neville, A High performance concrete DEMYSTIFIED, Concrete International
Jan 1993, Vol. 15, No P.21-26.
George R-White, concrete technology, 3rd edition.
BS 5328 Part 2:1991.
ACI 318-89 revised 2003 buildings code requirements for reinforced concrete, ACI manual of
concrete practice, part 3: use of concrete in buildings, design, specification and related topics,
345 pp.

[2]
[3]
[4]