2.

5 CONCRETE MIX DESIGN

AND REDESIGN
• 2.5.1 Mix design
• 2.5.2 Mix re-design
• 2.5.3 Self-Compacting Concrete
Concrete
Batching
Plants
 Moisture
control in
aggregates
 Normal Distribution

mean = failure level + z  standard deviation.

 A table of z (or n) values
for various values of percentage failures
(table 1.10.1 in section 1.10 of the notes)

Percentage failure z value

permitted
16 1.00

10 1.28

5 1.64

2.5 1.96

2 2.05

1 2.33
Figure 3
Table 2 Approximate compressive strengths (Mpa) of concrete
mixes made with a free w/c ratio of 0.5

Table 2Age (days)

Type of Cement Type of Coarse 3 7 28 90
Aggregate

Ordinary Portland Uncrushed 22 30 42 49

(OPC) or Sulphate
Resisting (SRPC)
EN Class 42.5

Crushed 27 36 49 56
Rapid Hardening Uncrushed 29 37 48 54
(RHPC)
EN Class 52.5 Crushed 34 43 55 61
Figure 4
Table 3 Approx water contents (kg/m3) required to give workability

Slump (mm) Table 3 10-30

0-10 30-60 60-180

Vebe time (s) more 6-12 3-6 0-3

than 12

Maximum Type of
aggregate aggregate
size (mm)
10 Uncrushed 150 180 205 225
Crushed 180 205 230 250
20 Uncrushed 135 160 180 195
Crushed 170 190 210 225
40 Uncrushed 115 140 160 175
Crushed 155 175 190 205
Figure 5
Figure 6 (10mm)
Figure 6 (20mm)
 2.5 CONCRETE MIX DESIGN
AND REDESIGN
• 2.5.1 Mix design
• 2.5.2 Mix re-design
• 2.5.3 Self-Compacting Concrete
 Self Compacting Concrete
1. Why change to SCC?
2. Mix Design
3. Testing
 Why change to SCC?
• Lower labour cost (no vibration needed)
• Better finish
• Faster placing
• No risk of white-finger
• Less noise
• Can be placed with congested
reinforcement.
 Self Compacting Concrete
1. Why change to SCC?
2. Mix Design
3. Testing
 Principles of mix design for SCC
• Design the concrete mix to achieve the required strength and
a slump of 100mm.
• If the cement content is less than 500kg/m3, add PFA so
that:
– The total cementitious (cement + PFA) is 500kg/m3
– The equivalent cement content (= Cement + 0.3  PFA)
is the same as the cement content from the original mix
design.
• Check that the PFA is less than 40% of the total
cementitious content. If it is more than 40% some of it will
not react, so it will not contribute to the strength.
• Add superplasticiser and VMA in the amounts specified by
the manufacturers.
 Proportioning the admixtures
• Add a superplasticiser to get the flow
• Add a VMA to prevent segregation
• Use the manufacturers’ data on W drive
• Note that some VMAs are used in very
small quantities.
Self Compacting Concrete

1. Why change to SCC?

2. Mix Design
3. Testing
 Test Methods
• Slump Flow
• V Funnel
• L box

Slump Flow Test

The standards are on W drive