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DOE Method

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(British Mix Design Method)

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 The Building Research Establishment Laboratory (BRE) of the Department of

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Environment (DOE), U. K. was first published Method of Concrete Mix Design Method in

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1975 and then revised in 1988.

 Replaces traditional method of Road Note. 4. Road Note No. 4 (or Grading Curve)

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Method was specifically developed for concrete pavements, the DOE method is
applicable to concrete for most purposes, including roads.

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 DOE method presently is the standard British method of concrete mix design.

 The Proportion of Fine Aggregate is determined depending on the maximum size of

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aggregate, degree of workability, grading of fine aggregate and w/c ratio.
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 The mix proportions are presented in terms of quantities of materials (Kg) per unit volume
of concrete (m3).
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The step by step procedures for the design of concrete mix by DOE method are as follows:

1. Determine the target strength/ mean strength/ design laboratory strength based on 28 days
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characteristic strength and standard deviation based in supervision quality. ( For initial trail,
the value of standard deviation can be taken from Table 2; IS 10262:2019)
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Table 2; IS 10262:2019 (Assumed Standard Deviation)

Assumed Standard Deviation,
SI No. Grade of Concrete
P

N/mm2
(1) (2)
(3)
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i. M10, M15 3.5

ii. M20, M25 4.0
iii. M30, M35, M40, M45, M50, M55, M60 5.0
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iv. M65, M70, M75, M80 6.0

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NOTES
1. The above values correspond to good degree of site control having proper storage of
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cement; weigh batching of all materials; controlled addition of water; regular checking
of all materials; aggregate grading and moisture content; and regular checking of
workability and strength. Where there are deviations from the above, the site control
shall be designated as fair and the values given in the above table shall be increased by 1
N/mm2.
2. For grades M65 and above, the standard deviation may also be established by actual
trials based on assumed proportions, before finalizing the mix.
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2. Determine the free water cement ratio (w/c) based on target strength/ mean strength/ design
laboratory strength based on 28 days characteristic strength from relationship between free

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water cement ratio and concrete strength for different cement strength ( For ease, the

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similar relationship from Fig1; IS 10262:2019 may be used)

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28 DAY COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF CONCRETE, N/mm ²

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70

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60
CURVE 3

50

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CURVE 2

40
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30
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CURVE 1

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0
0.25 0.3 0.35 0.4 0.45 0.5 0.55 0.6 0.65

FREE WATER CEMENT RATIO

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Curve 1: for expected 28 days compressive strength of 33 and < 43 N/mm2.

Curve 2: for expected 28 days compressive strength of 43 and < 53 N/mm2.
Curve 3: for expected 28 days compressive strength of 53 N/mm2 and above.
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NOTES
1. In the absence of data on actual 28 days compressive strength of cement, the curves 1, 2 and 3 may be used for
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OPC 33, OPC 43 and OPC 53, respectively.

2. While using PPC/PSC, the appropriate curve as per the actual strength may be utilized. In absence of actual 28
days compressive strength data, curve 2 may be utilized.
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Fig. 1; IS 10262:2019 (Relationship between free water cement ratio and 28 days compressive
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strengths of concrete for cements of various expected 28 days compressive strengths)

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3. The Maximum Water Cement ratio (w/c) shall be checked from durability consideration. (For
ease, the similar table from Table 5; IS 456:2000 may be used). The minimum value of w/c

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from above two values shall be adopted.

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4. As per required workability (may be taken from Table in Clause 7.1 from IS 456:2000),
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determine the free water content (Kg/m3) depending upon maximum size and type of
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aggregate from table below:

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Table for Workability of Concrete as per IS 456:2000, Cl. 7.1

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NOTES
1. In the very low category of workability, where strict control is necessary, compaction factor will be more
appropriate (C.F. = 0.75 to 0.80 is suggested).
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2. For very high category of workability, determination of flow (IS 9013) will be appropriate.
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5. Determine the cement content from the w/c ratio and water content of the mix obtained as per
previous steps. Compare the cement content from durability consideration (For ease, the
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similar table from Table 5; IS 456:2000 may be used), and modify the cement content, if
necessary. (Maximum of two values are to be adopted and w/c ratio will be modified if
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cement calculated from w/c ratio is less than that of required as per durability consideration.)

6. Determine the wet density of concrete mix depending upon the free water content (Kg/m3) and
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relative density of combined aggregate based on saturated and surface dry (SSD) from Fig
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11.4 of British Method.

Calculate total aggregate content as follows:

Total aggregate Content (SSD) = ϒo – C – W,

ϒo = Wet density of concrete (Kg/m3)

C = Cement Content (Kg/m3)

W = Free Water Content (Kg/m3)

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Fig. 11.4 of British Method (Estimated Wet Density of fully compacted Concrete)

7. Determine the proportion of fine aggregate in total aggregate depending upon the w/c ratio,
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maximum size of aggregate, grading zone of fine aggregate and workability requirement from
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following figure from British Method:

Note: The grading zones 1, 2, 3 and 4 in given figures below are zones of fine aggregates which lie between
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15% to 40%, 40% to 60%, 60% to 80% and 80% to 100% of fine aggregates passing through 600 µm sieve.
Grading zones 1, 2, 3 and 4 are very similar to IS grading zones I, II, III and IV for sand grading.
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Fine aggregate content = total aggregate content x proportion of fine aggregate.

Coarse aggregate = total aggregate content – fine aggregate content

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The Course aggregate can be further divided into different fractions depending on
the shape of aggregate. As a general guidance the figures given in Table 11.14 can be used.
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