A

M
R

CEMENT CONCRETE MIX DESIGN

A
P
A
R
D

DEFINITION

The process of selecting suitable ingredients of concrete

and determining their relative quantities with the

objective of producing a concrete of the required
strength, durability, and workability as economically as
possible, is termed the concrete mix design

Types of Mixes
1. Nominal Mixes
In the past the specifications for concrete prescribed the
proportions of cement, fine and coarse aggregates. These
mixes of fixed cement-aggregate ratio which ensures adequate
strength are termed nominal mixes. These offer simplicity and
under normal circumstances, have a margin of strength above
that specified. However, due to the variability of mix
ingredients the nominal concrete for a given workability varies
widely in strength

Nominal mix concrete

Traditional way of mix proportion specified in terms of fixed
ratios of Cement : Sand : coarse aggregate (In general by
volume)

C502.5

Useful for small works

Useful for routine concrete construction
Limited up to M20 grade
Requires high cement content
4

Standard mixes

The nominal mixes of fixed cement-aggregate ratio (by

volume) vary widely in strength and may result in under- or
over-rich mixes. For this reason, the minimum compressive
strength has been included in many specifications. These
mixes are termed standard mixes.

IS 456-2000 has designated the concrete mixes into a

number of grades as M10, M15, M20, M25, M30, M35
and M40. In this designation the letter M refers to the mix
and the number to the specified 28 day cube strength of
mix in N/mm2. The mixes of grades M10, M15, M20 and
M25 correspond approximately to the mix proportions
(1:3:6), (1:2:4), (1:1.5:3) and (1:1:2) respectively.

The proportions generally adopted are as given below

M5
M7.5
M10
M15
M20

Nominal Mix
proportions
(Cement: FA : CA)
1:5:10
1:4:8
1:3:6
1:2:4
1:1.5:3

C502.5

Grade of
Concrete

DESIGNED MIXES

In these mixes the performance of the concrete is

specified by the designer but the mix proportions are
determined by the producer of concrete, except that the
minimum cement content can be laid down. This is most
rational approach to the selection of mix proportions with
specific materials in mind possessing more or less
unique characteristics.

DESIGN MIX CONCRETE

Several methods of mix design evolved over the

years in different countries
Ex: ACI practice, British practice, Indian
Standard recommendations. etc.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CONCRETE MIX

DESIGN ARE GIVEN IN

I.S.10262-1982 & I.S.10262-2009

S.P.-23-1982

Designed mix should meet the design

requirements in the fresh and hardened states

FACTORS AFFECTING THE CHOICE OF MIX

PROPORTIONS
The various factors affecting the mix design are:

1. Compressive strength
It is one of the most important properties of concrete and
influences many other describable properties of the
hardened concrete. The mean compressive strength
required at a specific age, usually 28 days, determines
the nominal water-cement ratio of the mix. The other
factor affecting the strength of concrete at a given age
and cured at a prescribed temperature is the degree of
compaction. According to Abrahams law the strength of
fully compacted concrete is inversely proportional to the
water-cement ratio.

2. Workability
The degree of workability required depends on
three factors. These are the size of the section to
be concreted, the amount of reinforcement, and the
method of compaction to be used. For the narrow
and complicated section with numerous corners or
inaccessible parts, the concrete must have a high
workability so that full compaction can be achieved
with a reasonable amount of effort. This also
applies to the embedded steel sections. The
desired workability depends on the compacting
equipment available at the site.

3. Durability
The durability of concrete is its resistance to the
aggressive environmental conditions. High strength
concrete is generally more durable than low
strength concrete. In the situations when the high
strength is not necessary but the conditions of
exposure are such that high durability is vital, the
durability requirement will determine the watercement ratio to be used.

4. Maximum nominal size of aggregate

In general, larger the maximum size of aggregate,
smaller is the cement requirement for a particular
water-cement ratio, because the workability of
concrete increases with increase in maximum size
of the aggregate. However, the compressive
strength tends to increase with the decrease in size
of aggregate.
IS 456:2000 and IS 1343:1980 recommend that the
nominal size of the aggregate should be as large as
possible.

5. GRADING AND TYPE OF AGGREGATE

The grading of aggregate influences the mix proportions

for a specified workability and water-cement ratio.
Coarser the grading leaner will be mix which can be
used. Very lean mix is not desirable since it does not
contain enough finer material to make the concrete
cohesive.

The type of aggregate influences strongly the aggregatecement ratio for the desired workability and stipulated
water cement ratio. An important feature of a satisfactory
aggregate is the uniformity of the grading which can be
achieved by mixing different size fractions.

6. QUALITY CONTROL

The degree of control can be estimated statistically

by the variations in test results. The variation in
strength results from the variations in the properties
of the mix ingredients and lack of control of
accuracy in batching, mixing, placing, curing and
testing. The lower the difference between the mean
and minimum strengths of the mix lower will be the
cement-content required. The factor controlling this
difference is termed as quality control.

MIX PROPORTION DESIGNATIONS

The common method of expressing the proportions

of ingredients of a concrete mix is in the terms of
parts or ratios of cement, fine and coarse
aggregates. For e.g., a concrete mix of proportions
1:2:4 means that cement, fine and coarse
aggregate are in the ratio 1:2:4 or the mix contains
one part of cement, two parts of fine aggregate and
four parts of coarse aggregate. The proportions are
either by volume or by mass. The water-cement
ratio is usually expressed in mass

FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED FOR MIX DESIGN

The grade designation giving the characteristic strength
requirement of concrete.
The type of cement influences the rate of development of
compressive strength of concrete.
Maximum nominal size of aggregates to be used in
concrete may be as large as possible within the limits
prescribed by IS 456:2000.
The cement content is to be limited from shrinkage,
cracking and creep.
The workability of concrete for satisfactory placing and
compaction is related to the size and shape of section,
quantity and spacing of reinforcement and technique
used for transportation, placing and compaction.

C502.6

I S CODE METHOD OF MIX DESIGN

19

PROCEDURE

Target strength for mean strength

The target mean compressive strength at 28 days
(ft) =fck+ K.S

C502.6

1.

K = a statistical value , usually taken as 1.65

S = standard deviation for each grade of
concrete ( table 8 of I.S. 456 -2000 )
20

Values of

Accepted proportion of
low results
1 in 5,

20%

0.84

1 in 10, 10%

1.28

1 in 15, 6.7%

1.50

1 in 20, 5%

1.65

1in 40,

1.86

2.5%

1 in 100, 1%

2.33
21

TABLE-8, IS CODE
Assumed Standard ,
Deviations (N/mm )

M 10 ,M 15

3.5

M 20, M25

4.0

M 30, M 35, M 40,

M 45 & M 50

5.0

C502.6

Grade of concrete

22

2.Selection of water cement ratio :

A) The free water cement

ratio corresponding to
the target strength is to
be determined from the
graph shown in fig.

C502.6

23

Modified graph for Selection of water cement ratio :

 B) The water cement ratio, as selected above should be checked

against the limiting water cement ratio for the durability
requirements as given in table
Exposure

Plain Concrete

Min.
Cement

Max
w/c

Reinforced Concrete

Min
grade

Mild
220
kg/m3
Moderate

Severe
V. Severe
Extreme

240
kg/m3
250
kg/m3
260
kg/m3
280
kg/m3

0.60

--

0.60

M 15

0.50

M 20

0.45

M 20

0.40

M 25

Min.
Cement
300
kg/m3

Max
w/c

0.55

300 0.50
kg/m3
320
kg/m3
340
kg/m3
360
kg/m3

Min
grade

M 20

M 25

0.45

M 30

0.45

M 35

0.40

M 40

Durability Criteria as per IS 456- 2000

Adjustments to minimum cement content for
aggregates other than 20 mm nominal max. size
aggregates as per IS 456: 2000.

10 mm

+ 40 kg/cum

20 mm
0
40 mm

- 30 kg/cum

Placing
condition

Degree

Slump
(mm)

Compaction
factor

LOW

25 to 75

0.8 to 0.85

MEDIUM

50 to 100

0.9 to 0.92

HIGH

100 to 150

0.95 to 0.96

Mass concrete,
lightly reinforced
sections in beams,
walls, columns and
floors
Heavily reinforced
sections in slabs,
beams, walls,
columns and
footings
Slip formwork,
pumped concrete,
in- situ piling

Approximate water content (Kg) per cubic metre of

concrete (Table 32, SP:23-1982)

Slump
(mm)

Maximum Size of
Aggregate
(mm)
10

20

40

30-50

205

185

160

80-100
150-180

225
240

200
210

175
185
28

3.Estimation of entrapped air

Depends on nominal max size of aggregate as given in table

C502.6

Max. size of aggregate (mm)

Entrapped air as % of volume of

concrete

10

3.0

20

2.0

40

1.0
29

C502.6

4. Selection of water content and fine to total

aggregate ratio

The values are given in the tables, based on the following

conditions
(a) Crushed (Angular) Coarse aggregate conforming to IS:
383
(b) Sand conforming to grading zone II of table 4 of IS 383
(c) Workability corresponds to C.F. of 0.8
30

5.a. Approximate sand and water contents per cu.m of concrete

W/C = 0.6, Workability = 0.8 C.F. (For medium strength concrete up to M35)
C502.6

Maximum size of
aggregate (mm)

Water content
including surface
water per m of
concrete (kg)

Sand as % of total
aggregate by
absolute volume

10

200

40

20

186

35

40

165

30

31

Step 5 - Estimation of Coarse Aggregate Proportion

For W/C ratio of 0.5 use following Table

Correction in Coarse Aggregate values The

table specified for W/C ratio of 0.5
1. For Every +0.05 change in W/C ratio: -0.01
2. For Every -0.05 change in W/C ratio: +0.01
3. For Pumpable Mix : -10 %

57

5.c. Adjustments of values in Water Content and sand %

for other conditions
Adjustment required in
Water contents
% sand in total
aggregate

For sand conforming to zone I

,zone III or zone Iv of I.S 3831979

Increase or decrease in the

value of compacting factor by
0.1
Each 0.05 increase or
decrease in water cement ratio
For rounded aggregates

+1.5%for zone I
-1.5% for zone III
-3.0 % for zone Iv

3%

C502.6

Change in conditions
stipulated for tables

1.0 %

-15kg/m

-7 %
34

For Other Conditions as per IS:10262,2009

Condition

Correction

Sub-Angular Aggregates

- 10 Kg

Gravel + Crushed Particles

- 20 Kg

Rounded Gravel

- 25 Kg

For every slump increase

of 25 mm

+3%

Use of Water Reducing

Admixture

- 5 to 10 %

Use of Superplasticzing
Admixtures

- 20 %
54

6.Determination of cement content

C502.6

a) From free W/C ratio and

b) quantity water per unit volume of concrete for
workability (as derived in 5.c)
Cement by mass = (Water content) / (w.c.r.)

This cement content should not be less than

minimum content from the aspect of durability
(given in 2.b)
36

7.Calculation of aggregate content (fa and Ca)

C502.6

37

where V = absolute volume of concrete

= gross volume (1m3) minus the volume of entrapped air
Sc = specific gravity of cement
W = Mass of water per cubic metre of concrete, kg
C = mass of cement per cubic metre of concrete, kg
p = ratio of fine aggregate to total aggregate by absolute
volume
fa, Ca = total masses of fine and coarse aggregates, per
cubic metre of concrete, respectively, kg, and
Sfa, Sca = specific gravities of saturated surface dry fine
and coarse aggregates, respectively

9. Determine the concrete mix proportions for the

first trial mix.
10. Prepare the concrete using the calculated
proportions and cast three cubes of 150 mm size
and test them wet after 28-days moist curing and
check for the strength.
11. Prepare trial mixes with suitable adjustments till
the final mix proportions are arrived at.

So the mix proportion works out to be

This mix will be considered as Trial Mix No.2

40

W : C : fa : ca
= 185 : 411 : 635 : 1150
= 0.45 : 1 : 1.55 : 2.80

Step VII:- Make slump trials to find out the actual weight of water
to get required slump. Make corrections to the water
content & %FA, if required.

Step VIII:- Compute 2 more trial mixes with W/C ratios as 0.40 &
0.50, taking %FA as 34% and 38% respectively.

41

42

Trial Mix No. 1:Cement = 185 / 0.4 = 462.5 Kg.

Substituting the values in Eq(1), we get
1000 = 185 + 462.5/3.0 + (1/0.34) * fa /2.6)
fa
= 584 Kg.
Substituting the values in Eq(2), we get
1000 = 185 + 462.5/3.0 + (1/0.66) * ca /2.65)
ca
= 1156 Kg.
So the mix proportion works out to be
W : C : fa : ca
= 185 : 462.5 : 584 : 1156
= 0.4 : 1 : 1.26 : 2.50

43

Trial Mix No. 3:Cement = 185 / 0.5 = 370 Kg.

Substituting the values in Eq(1), we get
1000 = 185 + 370/3.0 + (1/0.38) * fa /2.6)
fa
= 683 Kg.
Substituting the values in Eq(2), we get
1000 = 185 + 370/3.0 + (1/0.62) * ca /2.65)
ca
= 1136 Kg.
So the mix proportion works out to be
W : C : fa : ca
= 185 : 370 : 683 : 1136
= 0.5 : 1 : 1.85 : 3.07

Step IX:- Cast atleast 3 cubes for each trial mix.

Step X:- Test the cubes for compressive strength at 28 days.

44

28 Days Compressive Strengths of Trial Mixes

W/C
Ratio

C/W Ratio

Compressive
Strength
(Kg/Cm2)

0.40

2.50

457

0.45

2.22

420

0.50

2.00

360

45

Step XI:- Draw a graph between compressive strength Vs C/W Ratio.

46

47

Step XII:- From the graph, find the W/C ratio for the required
target mean compressive strength.

Step XIII:- Calculate the mix proportions corresponding to

the W/C ratio, obtained from the graph.

48

49

Final Mix:From the graph, for a target strength of 390 Kg/Cm2, W/C ratio = 0.47
Cement = 185 / 0.47 = 394 Kg.
Substituting the values in Eq(1), we get
1000 = 185 + 394/3.0 + (1/0.38) * fa /2.6)
fa
= 675 Kg.
Substituting the values in Eq(2), we get
1000 = 185 + 394/3.0 + (1/0.62) * ca /2.65)
ca
= 1123 Kg.
So the mix proportion works out to be
W : C : fa : ca
= 185 : 394 : 675 : 1123
= 0.47 : 1 : 1.71 : 2.85

Step XIV:- Check the cement content & W/C ratio against the limiting
values
given
in
Table-5
of
I.S: 456-2000 for given type of exposure & type of Concrete.

50

Table-5 Minimum Cement content Maximum Water-Cement ratio and

Minimum Grade of Concrete for different exposures with normal
weight of aggregate of 20mm nominal maximum size.
Plain Concrete
Sl.
No.

Exposure

Reinforced Concrete

Minimum
Cement
Content
kg/m3

Maximum
Free
Water
Cement
Ratio

Minimum
Grade of
Concrete

Minimum
Cement
Content
kg/m3

Maximum
Free
Water
Cement
Ratio

Minimum
Grade of
Concrete

i)

Mild

220

0.60

300

0.55

M20

ii)

Moderate

240

0.60

M15

300

0.50

M25

iii)

Severe

250

0.50

M20

320

0.45

M30

iv)

Very
Severe

260

0.45

M20

340

0.45

M35

v)

Extreme

280

0.40

M25

360

0.40

M40
51

From the table 5 of IS: 4562000, the minimum Cement content

& W/C ratio, For moderate, for RCC are 300Kgs. & 0.5
The Cement content = 394Kgs. > 300Kgs. Hence Ok

The W/C Ratio = 0.47 < 0.5 Hence Ok

52

TEST REPORT
Concrete Mix RCC M30 with 20.0mm M.S.A.
Sl.
No.

Particulars

Result

Characteristic Compressive strength in

N/Sq.mm

30

Maximum size of Aggregate in mm

Type of Exposure

Type of Site control

Good

Target Average Compressive Strength in

N/Sq.mm

38.2

Workability in terms of Slump in mm

Mode of Compaction

Mix Partiuclars:
a.
Water-Cement Ratio
b.
Materials per cubic metre of concrete in
Kg.
i)
Water
ii)
Cement (OPC 43 Grade)
iii) Fine Aggregate
iv) Coarse Aggregate
c.
Mix Portion by weight

20.0

25-75

Vibration
0.47
185
394
675
1123
1:1.71:2.85

53

Moderate

CONVERTING

WEIGHT TO VOLUME

Unit weight of Cement =1440 Kg/mt3

Unit weight of F.A =1600 Kg/mt3

Unit weight of C.A =2200 Kg/mt3

1
bag
of
cement
=1.25
cft

Proportions for Nominal Mix Concrete

Grade of Total qty of dry
Proportion of
Concrete aggregate (CA +
FA to CA by
FA) per 50 kg
volume
cement

M5

800

M 7.5

625

M 10

480

M 15

330

M 20

250

1: 2 (Zone II)
subject to upper
limit of 1: 1.5
(Zone I)
& lower limit of
1: 2.5 (Zone
III)

Water per 50
kg cement
(max) lit

60
45
34

32
30
64

Example for Nominal Mixes

Grade of Concrete: M 20
Total Aggregate (CA + FA) per 50 kg
cement: 250 kg, FA of Zone II (say)
Water content: 30 lit per 50 kg cement
w/c ratio= 30/50= 0.60
Considering FA: CA= 1: 2,
Sand= (250 X 1)/ 3= 83 kg
Coarse Aggregate= (250 X 2)/ 3= 167 kg
Cement

FA

CA

Water

50 kg (35 Lit)

83 kg

167 kg

30 lit
65

Major Changes in : IS 10262

S,N
Old Edition 1982

Revised 2009 Edition

Title - " Recommanded guidelines for

Concrete mix Desiqn11

Title - "Concrete mix Proportioning Guidelines1

Applicability was not specified for any

specific Concrete Grades

Specified for Ordinary (M 10 - M 20}

and Standard (M25 - M 55) Concrete
Grades only.

Based on IS 456 : 1982

Modification in iine with IS 456 : 2000

W / C ratio was based on Concrete grade

and 28 days compressive strength of
Concrete and the durability criteria

W/C ratio is based on Durability

criteria and the Experience and
Practical trials

Water Content could be modified taking

into account the compaction factor value
(Laboratory based test for Workability) and
the shape of aggregates.

Water content can be modified Based

on Slump vale (Field test of
Workability) and Shape of Aggreagtes,
and use of Admixtu res.

Entrapped Air cotent considered according

to Nominal Maximum size of Aggregates
Not much Consideration for Trial Mixes

No Entrapped Air content taken into

account

Concrete Mix Design with Fly ash is not

mentioned

An illustrative example of Concrete

Mix Prportioning using Fly ash has
been added

6
7
e

Trial Mixes concept is mentioned

Cement

FA

CA

Water

50 kg
(by weight) 1

83 kg

167 kg

30 lit

1.66

3.32

0.6

1.43 kg/ lit

35 lit

(by volume) 1

1.52 kg/ lit 1.60 kg/ lit

54.6 lit
104.4 lit
1.56

30 lit

2.98

M 20 Grade Concrete (by Volume) is 1: 1.5 % : 3

66