Concrete Mix Design - Absolute Volume Method (ACI 211)

Sample Problem

Cement:

Type I, sp. gr. 3.15

Coarse Aggregate:

Max. size 37.5 mm, Sp. gr. = 2.68,

Dry Rodded Unit Weight = 1600 kg per cubic meter
Moisture Content = 2%, absorption = 0.5%

Fine Aggregate:

Sp. Gr. = 2.64, Abs = 0.7%,

Fineness Modulus = 2.8, M.C. = 6%

Concrete Desired:

Portion of structure is below ground

Compressive Str. f' = 24 MPa
Not exposed to severe weathering or sulfate attack

Step 1

Select Slump when it is not specified according to desired application from Table I. For a
retaining wall choose slump of 75 mm for vibratory placement. Note that you can add 25
mm to the maximum values when placing by hand.

Step 2

Specified Maximum Aggregate Size = 37.5 mm [could be dictated by availability and

ACI which states that maximum size aggregate should be less than 1/3 slab thickness or
not more than 3/4 distance between reinforcement]

Step 3

Mixing water requirement depends upon maximum size, particle shape and grading of
aggregates, and amount of air entrainment. The concrete will be non-air-entrained since
the structure is not exposed to severe weathering. From Table II for a 75 mm slump and
37.5 mm max aggregate for non-air-entrained concrete we need 181 kg of water per cu.
meter.

Step 4

The required water-cement ratio is determined by strength (or structural design) and
durability requirements.

Our strength requires a 24 MPa concrete.

Interpolating Table III, the water-cement ratio is 0.62.

Step 5

From steps 3 and 4 estimate cement requirement.

C = (Water Requirement)/(w/c Ratio) = (181 kg/cu. m)/(0.62) = 292 kg/cu. m

Step 6

Estimate the quantity of 37.5 mm max. size coarse aggregate with sand fineness modulus
of 2.8.

From Table VI an amount of 0.71 cu. meters may be used. Since our coarse aggregate
weighs 1600 kg per cubic meter, the required dry weight per cu. m. is:

0.71 x 1600 = 1136 kg

Step 7

All ingredients of the mix have been estimated except the fine aggregate. We shall use
the method of absolute volume to compute the fine aggregate.

Water Volume = (181)/(1000) = 0.181 cu. meter

Cement Volume = (292)/(3.15 x 1000) = 0.093 cu. meter

CA Volume = (1136)/(2.68 x 1000) = 0.424 cu. meter

Air Volume = 0.01 x 1.000 = 0.010 cu. meter

Total Volume = 0.708 cu. meter

Solid volume of sand required is the difference between the unit volume and total volume
of known ingredients.

1.000 - 0.708 = 0.292 cu. m.

Weight of dry sand:

0.292 x 2.64 x 1000 = 771 kg

Step 8

Corrections of batch weight for moisture in aggregates.

Coarse Aggregate. (MC = 2%) 1136 x 1.02 = 1159 kg

Fine Aggregate. (MC = 6%) 771 x 1.06 = 817 kg

NOTE: Absorbed water should be excluded from mix water and surface moisture should
be included in mix water.

Coarse Aggregate. Abs = 0.5%; Fine Aggregate Abs = 0.7%

Coarse Aggregate Contribution = 2% - 0.5% = + 1.5 moisture (subtract from mix water)

Fine Aggregate Contribution = 6% - 0.7% = 5.3 % moisture (subtract from mix water )

Corrected mix water:

181 - 1136 x (0.015) - 771 x (0.053) = 123 kg

SUMMARY:

Cement - 292 kg

Sand - 817 kg

Gravel - 1159 kg

Water - 123 kg