MIX DESIGN OF

CONCRETE

WHAT IS MIX DESIGN ?

The process of
selecting suitable ingredients of concrete
and determining their relative amounts
with the objective of producing a concrete of the
required, strength, durability, and workability
as economically as possible
is termed the concrete mix design.

NOMINAL MIXES
A nominal mix concrete is a prescribed concrete
It means the proportions of the ingredients are specified by the
engineer usually without testing the materials
A 1:2:4 mix concrete means a concrete consisting of 1 part
cement. 2 parts fine aggregate and 4 parts coarse aggregate by
volume
The water cement ratio may or may not be specified
There is no guarantee that a nominal mix will give a desired
strength

STANDARD MIXES
The nominal mixes of fixed cement-aggregate ratio (by volume)
vary widely in strength and may result in under- or over-rich mixes.
For this reason, the minimum compressive strength has been
included in many specifications. These mixes are termed standard
mixes.
M10, M15, M20, M25, M30, M35 and M40. In this designation the
letter M refers to the mix and the number to the specified 28 day
cube strength of mix in N/mm2. The mixes of grades M10, M15,
M20 and M25 correspond approximately to the mix proportions
(1:3:6), (1:2:4), (1:1.5:3) and (1:1:2) respectively.

VARIABLES IN
PROPORTIONING
Water-Cement ratio
Cement content or cement-aggregate
Gradation of the aggregates
consistency

ratio

PROBABILISTIC CONCEPT IN
MIX DESIGN APPROACH :
It will be very costly to have very rigid criteria to reject the
structure on the basis of a single or a few standard samples. The
basis of acceptance of a sample is that a reasonable control of
concrete work can be provided, by ensuring that the probability of
test result falling below the design strength is not more than a
specified tolerance level.
If a number of cube test results are plotted on histogram, the
results are found so follow a bell shaped curve known as "Normal
Distribution Curve".

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DOE( DEPARTMENT OF
ENVIRONMENT) OR BRITISH MIX
DESIGN METHOD

STEP 1: FIND THE TARGET MEAN

STRENGTH FROM THE SPECIFIED
CHARACTERISTIC STRENGTH
=
+ ks
Where = the target mean strength
And = the specified characteristic strength
K= risk factor
S = standard deviation
k for 10% defectives = 1.28
k for 5% defectives = 1.64 (recommended )
k for 2.5% defectives = 1.96
k for 1% defectives = 2.33

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EXAMPLE
For the 5 % defectives k = 1.64, and hence formula becomes
= + 1.64s
figure1
relates to a concrete having a specified characteristic
strength of 30 N /m m 2
and a standard deviation o f 6.1 N /m m 2. Hence:
Target mean strength = 30 + (1.64 x 6.1)
= 30 + 10
= 40 N /m m 2 as shown

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STEP 2: CALCULATE THE

WATER CEMENT RATIO
Table 1 gives the approximate compressive strength of concretes
made with a free w/c ratio of 0.50.
table 1

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CONTINUE
> Using this table1 find out the 28 days strength for the
approximate type of cement and types of C.A.(course aggregate )
> Mark a point on the Y axis in figure 2 equal to the
compressive strength read form table 1 which is at a water cement
ratio of 0.50.
> Through this intersection point, draw a parallel dotted curve
nearest to the intersection point. Using this curve we read the
water cement ratio as against target mean strength.

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FI
G
U
R
E
2

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EXAMPLE
As an example, referring to Table 1 for sulphate resisting cement,
crushed aggregate, approximate compressive strength, with a free
W/C ratio of 0.5 at 28 days is 49 MPa. In figure2 intersection point
of 49 MPa and W/C ratio of 0.50 is marked. A parallel dotted curve
is drawn to the neighboring curve. Water/Cement ratio is read off
on this new dotted curve for any target mean strength.
This Water/Cement ratio must be compared to the maximum W/C
requirement for durability (refer Table D1 or Table D2, depending
upon whether it is RCC or plain concrete).
And lower of the two is taken

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STEP 3

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Next decide water content for the required workability expressed in

slump or vebe time , taking into consideration the size of the
aggregate and its type from table 3.

STEP 4: FIND THE CEMENT CONTENT KNOWING THE

WATER/CEMENT RATIO AND WATER CONTENT.

Cement content =
The cement content so calculated should be compared with the
minimum cement content specified from the durability
consideration (Table D1 )and higher of the two should be adopted.
Sometime maximum cement content is also specified. The
calculated cement content must be less than the specified
maximum cement content

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STEP 5: NEXT FIND OUT THE

TOTAL AGGREGATE
CONTENT
This requires an estimate of the wet density of the fully compacted
concrete. This can be found out from Figure 3 for approximate
water content and specific gravity of aggregate.
If sp. gr. is unknown, the value of 2.6 for uncrushed aggregate and
2.7 for crushed aggregate can be assumed. The aggregate content
is obtained by
Total aggregate content = wet density of concrete the cement
content the free water content

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FIGURE 3

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STEP 6: THEN, PROPORTION OF FINE AGGREGATE IS

DETERMINED IN THE TOTAL AGGREGATE USING
FIGURE4
The parameters involved in Fig. 4 are maximum size of coarse
aggregate, the level of workability(slump, vebe time), the
water/cement ratio, and the grading of the fine aggregate (defined
by its percentage passing a 600 m sieve.
Now, fine aggregate content = total aggregate content *
proportion of fines
And coarse aggregate content = total aggregate content fine
aggregate content

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Figure 4

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Figure 4 continued

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Figure 4 continued

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EXAMPLE
ExampleDOE Method
Design a concrete mix for a reinforced concrete work which will be
exposed to the moderate condition. The concrete is to be designed
for a mean compressive strength of 30MPa at the age of 28 days. A
requirement off 25 mm cover is prescribed. Maximum size of
aggregate is 20 mm uncrushed aggregate will be used. Sieve
analysis shows that 50% passes through 600 Sieve. The bulk
specific gravity of aggregate is found to be 2.65(by DOE or British
method)

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Example 1

STEP 1 : TARGET STRENGTH

= + 1.64s
(Where s =5 N/mm is standard deviation for good quality
control and k = 1.64 )

Here = 30 Mpa (mean compressive strength )

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Example 1

STEP 2 WATER CONTENT

Referring to Table1, for OPC, uncrushed aggregate, for W/C ratio of
0.5, 28 days compressive strength is 42MPa.
In Fig. 2 find an intersection point for 42MPa and 0.5 W/C ratio.
Draw a dotted line curve parallel to the neighboring curve. From
this curve read off the W/C ratio for a target mean strength of
30MPa.
The Water/cement ratio is = 0.62
(Check this W/C ratio from durability consideration from Table D1.
The maximum W/C ratio permitted is 0.50.)
Adopt the lower of the two (adopt 0.5)

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Example 1

STEP 3
Decide the water content for slump of 75 mm (assumed) 20 mm
uncrushed aggregate from Table 3.
The water content is 195 kg/m3

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Example 1

STEP4
With W/C of 0.5 and water content of 195 kg/m3, the cement
content is
= 390 kg/m3
(Check this cement content with that of durability requirements
given in TableD1) Minimum cement content from durability point
of view is 350 kg/m3.
Adopt greater of the two
Therefore adopt cement content = 390 kg/m3

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Example 1

STEP5
Find out the density of fresh concrete from Fig.3. for water content
of 195 kg/m3
20 mm uncrushed aggregate ofsp.gr. 2.65 The wet density = 2400
kg/m3

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Example 1

STEP6
find the weight of total aggregate 2400 - (195 +390) = 1815
kg/m3
Next, find the percentage of fine aggregate from Fig.4.
For 20 mm aggregate size, W/C ratio of 0.50,
Slump of 75 mm, for 50% fines passing through 600 sieve,
the percentage of FA. = 40 percent

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Example 1

CONT
Weight of F A. = 1815 x40/100 = 726 kg/m3
.. Weight of C.A.= 1815-726 = 1089 kg/m3
Estimated quantities in kg/m3 :
Cement = 390
FA. = 726
C.A. = 1089
Water = 195
Wet density = 2400
The above quantities are required to be adjusted for the field moisture content
and absorption characteristics of aggregates
Lastly trial mixes are made to arrive at the correct quality of concrete.

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5.3.2. IS METHOD OF MIX DESIGN : IS 456:2000 AND

IS 10262:2009
*

DATA FOR MIX PROPORTIONING

The following data are required for mix proportioning of a particular grade of concrete:
Grade designation;
Type of cement;
Maximum nominal size of aggregate;
Minimum cement content;
Maximum water-cement ratio;
Workability;
Exposure conditions as per Table 4 and Table5 of IS 456;
Maximum temperature of concrete at the time of placing;
Method of transporting and placing;
Early age strength requirements, if required;
Type of aggregate;

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Maximum cement content; and

Whether an admixture shall or shall not be used and the type of admixture and the condition of use.

Design
steps

STEP1: TARGET MEAN

STRENGTH
+ 165 s
=

Where = characteristic compressive strength at 28 days.

S = standard deviation
The value of the standard deviation has to be worked out from the
trials conducted. Where sufficient test results for a particular grade
of concrete is not available the value of standard deviation can be
adopted from Table 1 to facilitate initial mix design. As soon as
enough test results become available, standard deviation should be
worked out and the mix design is modified accordingly.

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TABLE 1 : STANDARD
DEVIATION

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STEP2 : SELECTION OF
WATER CEMENT RATIO
Water cement ratio may be
fixed by experience or that of
used in the neighboring project.
We can use the generalized
relationship established and
given in text books, one such
graph is shown
The water cement ratio
selected by whatever method
should be checked against the
limiting water
Gocement
backratio for
durability as per table D1.

STEP 3 : WATER CONTENT

The water content in Table 2 is for angular coarse aggregate and

for 25 to 50 mm slump range. The water estimate in Table 2 can be
reduced by approximately 10 kg for sub-angular aggregates, 20 kg for
gravel with some crushed particles and 25 kg for rounded gravel to
produce same workability.
For the desired workability (other than 25 to 50 mm slump range),
the required water content may be established by trial or an increase
by about 3 percent for every additional 25 mm slump or alternatively
by use of chemical admixtures conforming to IS 9103.
Water reducing admixtures or superplasticizing admixtures usually
decrease water content by 5 to 10 percent and 20 percent and above
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respectively at appropriate dosages

TABLE 2

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STEP 4 : CALCULATION OF CEMENTITIOUS

MATERIAL CONTENT
It can be determined from the free water cement ratio and quantity
of water per unit volume of concrete
The cementitious material so calculated should be checked for
durability requirements (table D1 )greater of the two value is
adopted.

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STEP 5 :
Approximate values for this
aggregate volume are given in
Table 3 for a water-cement ratio
of 0.5, which may be suitably
adjusted for other watercement ratios.
For every decrease of w\c ratio
by 0.05 the coarse aggregate
volume may be increased by 1.0
percent to reduce the sand
content and for every increase
of w\c ratio by 0.05 the coarseGo
aggregate volume may be

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STEP 6
With the completion of step 5, all the ingredients have been
estimated except the coarse and fine aggregate content. As a next
step, find out the absolute volume of all the so far known
ingredients. Deduct the sum of all the known absolute volume from
unit volume (1m3), the result will be the absolute volume of coarse
and fine aggregates put together.
We know the volume of coarse aggregate and hence volume of fine
aggregate can be calculated.

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2.ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE ON CONCRETE MIX PROPORTIONING

Design a concrete mix for M45 grade of

concrete with following data
a) Grade designation:M 45
b) Type of cement : OPC 43 grade conforming
to IS 8112
c) Maximum nominal size of aggregate: 20
mm

l)

Superplasticizer will be used

m) Specific gravity of;

1) Coarse aggregate:2.80
2) Fine aggregate:2.70
n) Water absorption:

d) Minimum cement content: 320 kg/m3

1) Coarse aggregate:0.5 percent

e) Maximum water-cement ratio:0.45

2) Fine aggregate:1.0 percent

0 Workability: 125 mm (slump)

g) Exposure condition: Severe (for reinforced
concrete)
h) Method of concrete placing: Pumping
j) Degree of supervision : Good
k) Type of aggregate :Crushed angular
aggregate

o) Free (surface) moisture:

Coarse aggregate
Fine aggregate

p) Grading of course aggregate

conforming to table 2 of IS 383
q) Grading of fine aggregate
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conforming to grading zone

1. TARGET STRENGTH FOR

MIX PROPORTIONING

Example 2

= + 1.65S
From Table 1, standard deviation, s= 5 N/mm2.
Therefore, target strength = 45 + 1.65 x 5 = 53.25 N/mm2.

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Example 2

2. SELECTION OF WATERCEMENT RATIO

From Table D1 of IS 456, maximum water-cement ratio = 0.45.
Based on experience, adopt water-cement ratio as 0.42.
0.402< 0.45, hence O.K.

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3. SELECTION OF WATER
CONTENT

Example 2

From
Table 2, maximum water content =186 liter (for 25 to 50 mm
slump range) for 20 mm aggregate
Estimated water content for 120 mm slump = 186 + x 186* =203
liter (or simply increase 3% for every 25 mm slump over above
50mm slump .i.e. = 186+186*3%+186*3%+186*3%=203 liter)
Superplasticizer is assumed to reduce water content of 25 percent
. Hence, the arrived water content = 203*75% = 152 liter

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STEP 4 : CALCULATION OF
CEMENT CONTENT

Example 2

Water-cement ratio = 0.42

Water used = 152 liter
Cement content = = 362 kg/m3
From Table D1 ( check for durability) minimum cement
content for severe exposure condition = 320 kg/m3
350 kg/m3 > 320 kg/m3, hence, O.K.

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Example 2

STEP 5 : CALCULATION OF COARSE AND FINE

AGGREGATE CONTENT

From
Table 3, volume of coarse aggregate corresponding to 20 mm size

aggregate and fine aggregate (Zone II) for water-cement ratio of 0.50 =
0.62
In the present case water-cement ratio is 0.42. As the water-cement
ratio is lower by 0.08, the proportion of volume of coarse aggregate is
increased by 0.016 (at the rate of 0.01 for every decrease in water
cement ratio of 0.05: increase in proportion =). Therefore, corrected
proportion of volume of coarse aggregate = 0.62+0.016=0.636
Since it is angular aggregate and the concrete is Pumpable , these
values should be reduced by 10 percent.
Therefore, volume of coarse aggregate = 0.636 x 0.9 = 0.572 say 0.57.
Volume of fine aggregate content = 1 - 0.57 = 0.43

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STEP 6 : CALCULATION OF
MIX PROPORTIONS

Example 2

The mix calculations per unit volume of concrete shall be as follows:

Volume of concrete = 1
Absolute volume of cement

Specific
gravity =
Density of cement = ?
(mass of cement)/(specific gravity of cement)*1/1000
Volume of cement =

0.115
Volume of water = 152 liter = 0.152
Volume of chemical admixture
=(1.2*362)/(100*1.1)*1/1000
=0.004

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Example 2

FINALLY
Mix proportions are:
Cement

362 kg /

Water

152 kg/

FA

846 kg/

CA

1163 kg/

Chemical admixture 4 kg/

Water/cement ratio

0.42

Site correction is also required.

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