MIX-DESIGN

• The mix design procedure mainly involves determination of the

proportions of the constituents of concrete i.e. Cement, Water,
Coarse and Fine Aggregates, which results in the production of
concrete that would have specified properties both in the fresh and
hardened states with maximum overall economy.

FACTORS IN THE CHOICE OF MIX DESIGN

Both IS: 456-2000 as well as IS: 1343 – 1980 envisages the concrete mix
design be based on the following factors:
a) Grade Designation

b) Type of Cement

c) Maximum Nominal Size of Aggregate

d) Minimum Water-Cement Ratio

e) Workability

f) Minimum Cement Content 1

Grade Designation 
The characteristic strength requirement of the concrete is determined by the grade
designation. Depending upon the level of quality control, the concrete is designed
for a target mean strength, which is somewhat higher than the characteristic
strength.
Type of Cement
Type of cement influences the rate of development of compressive strength of
concrete and determines the durability under aggressive environment. The various
types of cements that can be used with the approval of Engineer in Charge in
concrete constructions are:
• Ordinary or low heat Portland cement conforming to IS : 269-1976
• Rapid hardening Portland cement conforming to IS : 8041-1978
• Portland slag cement conforming to IS : 455-1976
• Portland pozzolana cement conforming to IS : 1489-1976[8]
• High strength ordinary Portland cement conforming to IS : 8112-1976
• Hydrophobic cement conforming to IS : 8043-1978

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Workability
Workability is important for the satisfactory placement and compaction of concrete
with respect to size and shape of the section, quantity and spacing of reinforcement
and methods of compaction available at site.

Maximum Nominal Size of Aggregate

The maximum nominal size of aggregates to be used in concrete is governed by the
size of the section and spacing of the reinforcement. Both IS : 456-2000 and IS :
1343-1980 specify that the nominal maximum size of coarse aggregate
• Should not be greater than one-fourth of the minimum thickness of the member.
• Should be restricted to 5 mm less than the minimum clear distance between main
bars.
• Should be 5 mm less than the minimum cover to the reinforcement.
• Should be 5 mm less than the spacing between the cables, strands in case of pre-
stressed concrete.
Minimum Cement Content 
The maximum limit of cement content in the concrete has to be specified as concrete
mixes with high cement content may give rise to shrinkage, cracking and creep of
concrete also increases with cement paste content. 3
 OUTLINE OF MIX DESIGN PROCEEDURE
1. Data For Mix Proportioning
a) Grade Designation
b) Type of Cement
c) Maximum nominal Size of Aggregate
d) Minimum Cement Content
e) Maximum Water Cement Ratio
f) Workability
g) Exposure Conditions as per Table 4 and 5 of IS 456 – 2000
h) Maximum Temperature of Concrete at the time of placing
i) Method of transporting and placing
j) Early age strength requirements if required
k) Type of Aggregate
l) Maximum Cement Content
m) Whether an admixture shall or shall not be used and the type of admixture and
the conditions of use. 4
2 Target Strength For Mix Proportioning
In order that not more than the specified proportions of test results are not likely
to fall below the Characteristic Strength, the Concrete Mix has to be
proportioned for higher Target Mean Compressive Strength f’CK. The margin
over Characteristic Strength is given by the following relation:

f’CK = fCK + 1.65 S

Where
f’CK = Target Mean Compressive Strength at 28 days in N/mm2
fCK = Characteristic Compressive Strength at 28 days in N/mm2
S = Standard Deviation as given in table 1
Standard Deviation
Where Sufficient test results for a particular grade of concrete are not available
then the value of Standard Deviation given in Table 1 may be assumed for the
proportioning of the mix.

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 Table 1 Assumed Standard Deviation
S. Grade of Concrete Assumed Standard Deviation
No N/mm2
1 M 10 3.5
M 15
2 M 20 4.0
M 25
3 M 30
M 35
M 40 5.0
M 45
M 50
M 55

Note:- The above values corresponds to the site control having proper storage of cement;
Weigh batching of all materials; Controlled addition of water; Regular checking of all
materials -Aggregate grading and moisture content; Periodical checking of workability
and strength. Where there is deviation from the above, values given in table shall be
increased by 1 N/mm2

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3 Selection Of Mix Proportion

3.1 Selection of Water Cement Ratio

Concretes of Different Compressive Strength for the Same Water Cement Ratio
may be Produced with Different
i. Cements
ii. Supplementary Cementitious Materials
iii. Aggregates of Different Sizes
iv. Grading
v. Surface Texture
vi. Shape and other Characteristics
 Therefore, the relationship between strength and free W/C ratio should
preferably be established for the materials actually to be used.
 In the absence of such data, the W/C Ratio given in Table 5 of IS 456 – 2000
for respective environmental exposure conditions may be used
NOTE: - The supplementary cementitious material, that is mineral admixtures shall
also be considered in W/C Ratio calculations in accordance with Table 5 of IS
456 – 2000

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3.2 Selection of Water Content
The Water content of concrete is influenced by a number of factors such as:
a) Aggregate Size
b) Aggregate Shape
c) Aggregate Texture
d) Workability
e) Water-Cement Ratio
f) Type and Content of Cement and other supplementary Cementitious Materials
g) Chemical Admixtures
h) Environmental Conditions
Water Demand is Reduced with
a) An Increase in Aggregate Size
b) A Reduction in W/C Ratio and Slump
c) Use of Rounded Aggregate
d) Use of Water Reducing Admixtures
On the other hand Water Demand is Increased Due to Increase in
a) Temperature
b) Cement Content
c) Slump and W/C Ratio
d) Aggregate Angularity
e) Decrease in the Proportion of CA to FA 8
 The Quantity of Maximum Water per Unit Volume of Concrete may be
determined from Table 2 of IS 10262 – 2009
 The Water Content is for
a) Angular Aggregate
b) Slump Range of 25 to 50 mm
 The Water Estimate in Table 2 can be Reduced to produce same Workability
by Approximately
a) 10 Kg for Sub-Angular Aggregate
b) 20 Kg for Gravel with some Crushed Particles
c) 25 Kg for Rounded Gravel
 For the desired Workability (other than 25 to 50 mm Slump Range) the
desired Water Content may be established
 by an Increase in Water content by about 3 Percent for every additional 25
mm Slump
 Alternatively by use of Chemical Admixtures Conforming to IS 9103
 Water Reducing Admixtures or Superplasticizing Admixtures usually
Decreases Water Content by 5 to 10% and 20% and above respectively at
Appropriate Dosages
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Table 2 Maximum Water Content per Cubic Metre of Concrete
for Nominal Maximum Size of Aggregate

S No. Nominal maximum Size of Maximum Water

Aggregate Content
(mm) (Kg)
1 10 208

2 20 186

3 40 165

NOTE – These quantities of mixing water are for use in computing

cementitious material contents for trial batches

Water Content corresponding to Saturated Surface Dry Aggregate

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3.3 Calculation of Cementitious Material Content
 The Cement and other Supplementary Cementitious Material Content per
Unit Volume Of Concrete may be calculated from
 Free – Water Cement Ratio ( see 3.1)
 Quantity of Water per Unit Volume of Concrete
 The Cementitious Material Content so Calculated shall be checked against
the Minimum Content for the Requirements of Durability and greater of the
two values shall be adopted
 The Maximum Cement Content shall be in Accordance with IS 456.
3.4 Estimation of Coarse Aggregate Proportions
 Approximate Volume of Coarse Aggregate per unit Volume of Total
Aggregate is given in Table 3 for W/C Ratio of 0.5 , which may be suitably
adjusted for other W/C ratios.
 For equal workability, the volume of Coarse Aggregate is dependent only on
 Its Nominal Maximum Size
 Grading Zone of Fine Aggregate

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Table 3 Volume of Coarse Aggregate per Unit Volume of Total
Aggregate for Different Zones of Fine Aggregate

S. Nominal Volume of Coarse Aggregate per

No. Maximum unit Volume of Total Aggregate for
Size of Different Zones of Fine Aggregate
Aggregate

mm Zone IV Zone III Zone II Zone I

i 10 0.50 0.48 0.46 0.44
ii 20 0.66 0.64 0.62 0.60
iii 40 0.75 0.73 0.71 0.69
Volumes are based aggregates in saturated surface dry
condition

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3.5 Combination of Different Coarse Aggregate Fractions
 The Coarse Aggregate Used Shall confirm to IS 383
 Coarse Aggregate of Different Sizes may be Combined in Suitable Proportions so
as to Result in an overall Grading Conforming to Table 2 of
IS 383 for particular Nominal Maximum Size of Aggregate
3.6 Estimation of Fine Aggregate Proportions
 With the completion of procedure given in 3.4 all the Ingredients have been
estimated except the Coarse and Fine Aggregate content.
 These Quantities are Determined by Finding out Absolute Volume of
a) Cementitious Material
b) Water
c) Chemical Admixture
d) By Dividing their Mass by their Respective Specific Gravity
e) Multiplying by 1/1000
f) And Subtracting the result of their summation from Unit Volume
 The Values so obtained are divided into Coarse and Fine Aggregate Fractions by
Volume in Accordance with Coarse Aggregate Proportions determined in 3.4
 The Coarse and Fine Aggregate Contents are then determined by multiplying by
their respective Specific gravities and then by 1000 13
AIMS OF MIX DESIGN

• Determination of most APPROPRIATE PROPORTIONS of

constituents to meet the needs of construction
• The Design Concrete Should
 Comply with structural Strength Stipulations i.e. Compressive Strength

 Have Satisfactory DURABILITY in the Environment in which Structure is used

 Have Satisfactory APPEARANCE where Exposed to View

 Be of Suitable WORKABILITY

 Be as ECONOMICAL as possible

• Choose Economic Proportions to Obtain a Cohesive Concrete

of Desired Strength, Workability and Durability from Available
Materials

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• ECONOMY
 For Specified Strength mixes requiring LEAST WATER also REQUIRE LEAST
CEMENT CONTENT
 Following Conditions Contribute to Economy in General:
 Use Largest Mean Size Aggregate (MSA) permissible, consistent with Handling &
Placement facilities available
 Use Aggr. With MOST FAVOURABLE PARTICLE SHAPE, Consistent with AVAILABILITY at
REASONABLE COST
 Use COARSEST GRADING & LOWEST CONTENT of F.A consistent with STABILITY &
FINISHABILITY
 Use LOWEST WORKABILITY consistent with ADEQUATE PLACEMENT & COMPACTION
with AVAILABLE FACILITIES

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METHODS OF CONCRETE MIX DESIGN
 
• The mix design methods which are used in different countries are mostly based
on empirical relationships, charts and graphs developed from extensive
experimental investigations. Most of them follow the same basic principles and
only minor differences exist in different mix-design methods for selecting the
most appropriate mix proportion. Some of the mix design procedures are:
• IS : 10262 – 1982
• IRC: 44 – 1976 Method
• Road Note No. 4 Method
• ACI – 211.1 – 1976
• USBR Method – 1968
• High Strength Concrete Mixes [ACI Method]
• Murdoch method
• Arbitrary Proportions
• Maxm. Density Method
• Fineness Modulus Method
• Surface Area Method

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 The ACI method gives mix design for normal and heavy weight concrete in the

 Workability range of 25 to 100 mm slump,

 28-day cylinder compressive strength of 45 N/mm 2.

• There is another method for mix design of

 No slump concrete (slump being 0 to 25 mm) and

 Maximum 28-day cylinder compressive strength of 47.5 N/mm 2.

 The British method outlines a procedure for design of normal concrete mixes
having 28-day cube compressive strength as high as 75 N/mm 2 The workability
is given in terms of slump value.
 In the USBR method mix proportioning is done only for air-entrained concrete
for maximum 28-day cylinder compressive strength of 45.5 N/mm 2, when water
reducing admixtures are added.

In all the above four methods, the W/C ratio is chosen for the target mean strength
from empirical strength – w/c ratio relationships and water content is chosen
for the required workability for aggregates in saturated surface (SSD) condition.

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 The Indian Standard recommended guidelines for mix design includes design of
normal concrete mixes both for medium and high strength concrete.
 In this method of mix design,
 The water content and proportion of fine aggregate corresponding to a maximum
size of aggregate are first determined for reference values of
 workability,
 w/c ratio and
 grading of fine aggregate.

 The water content and proportion of fine aggregate are then adjusted for any
difference in
 workability,

 w/c ratio and

 grading of fine aggregate in any particular case from the reference values.

 The batch weight of materials per unit volume of concrete is finally calculated by
the absolute volume method.

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 The specific relationships (tables and figures) that are used in this method are
arrived at by exhaustive tests at the ‘Cement Research Institute of India
as well as on the basis of data generated in the country for the design of
concrete..

19
REFERENCES
• B.I.S. Handbook on Concrete Mixes, SP:23(S&T)
– 1982 New Delhi, pp. 103 – 122
• B.I.S. Recommended Guidelines for Concrete
Mix Design, IS:10262 – 1982, N. Delhi
• HMSO Design of Concrete Mixes, Road Research
Laboratory, Road Note No. 4, London,
1950
• I.R.C. Tentative Guidelines for Cement Concrete
Mix Design for Road Pavements, IRC:44 –
1976, N. Delhi
• A.C.I. Recommended Practice for Selecting Proportions
for Normal Heavy Weight Concrete, ACI 211.1 – 77,
Detroit.
• A.C.I. Recommended Practice for Selecting Proportions
for No Slump Concrete, ACI 211-65,
Detroit, ACI 211.3 – 75

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 CONCRETE MIX-DESIGN TO IS : 10262 – 2009
(1) STIPULATIONS for PROPORTIONING

a) Grade Designation = 30 Mpa

b) Type of Cement = OPC 43 Grade conforming to IS 8112
c) Maximum Nominal Size of Aggregate = 20 mm (Angular)

d) Minimum Cement Content = 320 Kg/m3

e) Maximum W/C Ratio = 0.45
f) Workability = 100 mm (Slump)
g) Exposure Condition = Severe (For RCC Work)
h) Degree of Supervision = Good
i) Method Concrete Placing = Pumping

j) Maximum Cement Content = 450 Kg/m3

k) Chemical Admixture Used = Superplasticizer

21
2 TEST DATA FOR MATERIALS
a) Cement Used = OPC 43 Grade Conforming to
IS 8112
b) Specific gravity of Cement= 3.15
c) Chemical Admixtures = Superplasticizer conforming to

IS 9103 (If Required)

d) Specific Gravity of:
i) Coarse Aggregate = 2.74
ii) Fine Aggregate = 2.74
e) Water Absorption
i) Coarse Aggregate = 0.5 Percent
ii) Fine Aggregate = 1.0 Percent
f) Free (Surface) Moisture
i) Coarse Aggregate = Nil
ii) Fine Aggregate = Nil

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Sieve Analysis
Coarse Aggregate
IS Sieve Analysis of C.A. Percentage of Different Fractions
Size Fractions I II Combined

(mm) I II 60 % 40 % 100 %
20 100 100 60 40 100
10 0 71.20 0 28.5 28.5
4.75 - 9.40 - 3.7 3.7
2.36 - 0 - - -
Remark: Conforming to Table 2 of IS : 383 – 1970

Fine Aggregate : Conforming to Grading zone II of Table IV of IS:383-1970

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 SOLUTION
3 TARGET MEAN STRENGTH
In order that not more than the specified proportion of test results are likely to fall
below the CHARACTERISTIC STRENGTH, the concrete mix has to be designed at
somewhat HIGHER TARGET AVERAGE COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH t

Target Mean strength is Given By

Where, f’CK = fCK + 1.65 S (1)

f’CK = Target Mean Compressive Strength at 28 days in
N/mm2
fCK = Characteristic Compressive Strength at 28 days
in N/mm2
S = Standard Deviation
From Table 1 Standard Deviation , S = 5 N/mm2
Therefore
Target Strength = 30 + 1.65 x 5 = 38.25 N/mm2
NOTE: According to IS:456-1978 & 1343-1980 the Characteristic Strength is
defined as that value below which not more than 5% (1 in 20) results are expected to
fall.
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4 SELECTION OF WATER-CEMENT RATIO
 From Table 5 IS 456 – 2000, W/C Ratio = 0.45 [ for M 30 and Severe
Exposure Conditions]

5 SELECTION OF WATER CONTENT

 For 100 mm Slump [Workability]

 From Table 2 of IS 10262 – 2009;
 Maximum Water Content = 186 Litres [ For 25 to 50 mm Slump
Range and 20 mm MSA]
Therefore
 Estimated Water Content for 100 mm Slump =
= 197 Litres

Note: Increase water by 3% for every additional 25 mm Slump

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TABLE :- 5 MINM. Cement Content, MAXM. W/C Ratio and Minm Grade
of Concrete with different exposures with Normal Weight
Aggregate of 20 mm Nominal Maxm Size[As per IS 456-2000]

Exposure Plain Concrete Reinforced Concrete

Minimum Maximum Minimum Minimum Maximum Minimum
Cement Free W/C Grade of Cement Free W/C Grade of
Content Ratio Concrete Content Ratio Concrete
(Kg/m3) (Kg/m3)

Mild 220 0.60 - 300 0.55 M 20

Moderate 240 0.60 M 15 300 0.50 M 25

Severe 250 0.50 M 20 320 0.45 M 30
Very Severe 260 0.45 M 20 340 0.45 M 35
Extreme 280 0.40 M 25 360 0.40 M 40
Notes:
1.Cement Content prescribed in this table is irrespective of the grades of cement and it is inclusive of
additions mentioned in 5.2. The additions such as fly ash or ground granulated blast furnace slag may
be taken into account in the concrete composition with respect to the cement content and W/C ratio if
the suitability is established and as long as the maximum amounts taken in to account do not exceed
the limit of pozzolana and slag specified in IS 1489 (part 1) and IS 455 respectively
2.Minimum Grade of Concrete for plain concrete under mild exposure conditions is not specified

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TABLE :- 6 Adjustments to Minimum Cement Contents for
Aggregates Other Than 20 mm Nominal maximum
Size [As per IS 456-2000]

S. No. Nominal Maximum Aggregate Adjustments to Minimum

Size Cement Contents in Table 5

1 10 +40

2 20 0

3 40 -30

27
6 CALCULATION OF CEMENT CONTENT

 Water Cement Ratio W/C = 0.45

 Cement Content =

= 438 Kg/m3
Note: From Table 5 of IS 456 – 2000 Minimum Cement Content for Severe
Exposure Condition = 320 Kg/m3
438 Kg/m3 > 320 Kg/m3 Hence OK

7 PROPORTION OF VOLUME of COARSE AGGREGATE AND

FINE AGGREGATE CONTENT
From Table 3
For W/C Ratio = 0.5 and Zone II of FA
Volume of CA = 0.62
Decrease in W/C Ratio = 0.5 – 0.45 = 0.05
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 In the present case there is a Decrease in W/C Ratio and hence
 CA is required to be Increased to Decrease the Fine Aggregate Content

 The Rate of increase = —/+ 0.01 for every  0.05 Change in W/C Ratio
Therefore,

Corrected Proportion of Coarse Aggregate CA = 0.63

Proportion of Fine Aggregate = 1 – 0.63 FA = 0.37

8 MIX CALCULATION
 The Mix Calculation Per Unit Volume of Concrete Shall be as Follows
(a) Volume of Concrete = 1 m3
(b) Volume of Cement =

= = 0.139 m3
(c) Volume of Cement =

= = 0.197 m3

(d) Volume of Admixture =

(e) Volume of all in Aggregate = [a  (b + c + d)]

= [1  ( 0.139 + 0.197 + 0)]
= 0.664 m3
(f) Mass of Coarse Aggregate = e  Volume of CA  Specific
Gravity of CA  1000
= 0.664  0.63  2.74  1000
= 1146 Kg
(g) Mass of Fine Aggregate = e  Volume of FA  Specific
Gravity of FA  1000
= 0.664  0.37  2.74  1000
= 673 Kg
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MIX PROPORTIONS FOR TRIAL No. 1

Water Cement FA CA

197 Litres 438 Kg 673 Kg 1146 Kg

(10 mm = 458 Kg)
(20 mm = 688 Kg)
0.45 1 1.54 2.62

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