Mixture Design Principles

Thomas Van Dam, Ph.D., P.E.

Nichols Consulting Engineers
Goal of Mixture Proportioning

The overall goal of the concrete mixture
proportioning is to determine a mixture
that meets design requirements and
balances the following factors:
 Economy
 Constructability
 Strength
 Durability
 Sustainability
Mixture Design

Process of determining required and
specifiable characteristics of a concrete
mixture:
 Prescriptive approach (limits on materials)
 Performance approach (desirable
characteristics)

Mixture design requirements are based
on intended use, environment, etc.
Mixture Proportioning

Process of determining the quantities
(proportions) of concrete ingredients

The primary considerations include the
following:
 Ability to continually meet or exceed
specified mixture design requirements
 Readily available supply of raw materials
 Economy
 Overall sustainability
Basic Mix Proportioning
9 - 15%
Cement Paste
(cement + water)
15 - 16%
Water
Mortar
25 - 35% (paste + fine aggregate)
Fine aggregate

30 - 45% Concrete
Coarse aggregate (mortar + coarse aggregate)
Theoretical vs. Laboratory vs.
Field

Mixture designs can be generated “on
paper” as a starting point

Laboratory trial batches are required to
verify and optimize mixture proportions

There is no substitute for trial batches and
testing to determine incompatibility of
materials and numerous other potential
problems

Field trials and a test strip using regular
batching and mixing techniques are the
final verification of the mixture
Laboratory Testing Plan

A suggested laboratory testing plan should
consider the following characteristics
 Workability
 Strength
 Air content
 Density
 Permeability
 Shrinkage

The relative size and importance of a project
determine which of these parameters are
evaluated and to what degree
Aggregate Grading Optimization

Aggregates are the most dimensionally
stable and least expensive constituents in
concrete
 Also the least energy intensive to produce

It is desirable to minimize the amount of
paste required to achieve workability by
optimizing aggregate gradation
 Can reduce well below 340 kg/m3

Optimized gradation simply means
combining available aggregates in the
proper proportions to minimize void space
Aggregate Gradation

CONTROLS workability!!

Well-graded combined aggregate
gradation will:
 Reduce water demand
 Lower drying shrinkage
 Increase workability
 Improve strength
Minimize Paste Content
Source: Portland Cement Association
Consolidated Bulk Density in Two
Aggregate System
156
155
154
CBD, pcf

153
152
151
150
149
0 20 40 60 80 100
Percent Sand
Shilstone Method of Optimized
Gradation

The Shilstone method uses three separate
evaluation tools to determine optimal
gradation:
 Workability/Coarseness Factor chart
○ Workability Factor increased 2.5 points for each
50 kg cement above 340 kg/m3
 0.45 power chart
 Percent aggregate retained chart

Use of these three charts greatly simplifies
combined aggregate grading and checks
for potential problems

Not “foolproof”…requires knowledge
Combined Grading
100
FA 1

80 CA 1
Percent Passing

Combined
60

40

20

0
# 200 # 100 # 50 # 30 # 16 #8 #4 3/8" 1/2" 3/4" 1" 1 2"
1/2"

Sieve
 Shilstone Coarseness Chart
Gradation on previous slide

45
IV III
Percent passing the No. 8 sieve

40
Workability Factor

II
35
I
30
V
25

20
100 80 60 40 20 0
Coarseness Factor

Percent retained on No. 8 sieve that was retained on the 3/8 in sieve
0.45 Power Chart
100

80
% Retained

60

40
Mixture
Max Density
20
Limits

Sieve (^0.45)
 Percent Retained

0.0
5.0
10.0
15.0
20.0
25.0

2"

1 1/2"

1"

3/4"

1/2"

3/8"

#4

Sieve #8

# 16
Percent Retained Chart

# 30

# 50

# 100

# 200
 Percent Retained

0.0
5.0
10.0
15.0
20.0
25.0

2"

1 1/2"

1"

3/4"

1/2"

3/8"

#4

Sieve #8

# 16
Percent Retained Chart

# 30

# 50

# 100

# 200
 1 2 4
3 5

Source: Doug Schwartz, MnDOT

apps.acpa.org
Trial Batches

Make batches: check workability,
freedom from segregation, finishing

Make appropriate adjustments

If satisfactory fresh properties, make
samples for hardened properties

Make sure to account for aggregate
moisture and temperature variations
Adjusting Properties

Subject to results of the trial batches,
adjustments to the mix are likely
necessary

Common mix adjustments:
 Workability
 Stiffening/setting
 Bleeding
 Air-void system
 Unit weight
 Others
Effects of Added Water

Adding 5 liters of water to 1 m3 of
concrete:
 Increases slump 25 mm
 Decreases compressive strength by 1400
kPa
 Wastes the effect of 10 kg of cement
 Increases shrinkage by 10%
 Increases permeability by up to 50%
Final Comments

The Shilstone method is a tool and
should not be written into specifications
 Many variables affect these plots including
aggregate specific gravity, shape, and
texture, properties of cementitious materials,
admixtures

Ultimately it is how the mixture passes
through the paver
 Mixture should pass through paver and be
closed with no tearing
 Minimal hand-work required…DON’T
TOUCH IT!
 QUESTIONS?

Thomas J. Van Dam, Ph.D., P.E., FACI

Principal
Nichols Consulting Engineers
tvandam@ncenet.com