Study of variation of concrete constituents for

varied design slump: an experimental approach

Ankur M. Tripathi

Rohit V. Morghade

VIII Sem, Civil Engineering,Dept.

G.H. Raisoni College of Engg.
Nagpur, India.
ankurt25392@gmail.com

VIII Sem, Civil Engineering,Dept.

G.H. Raisoni College of Engg.
Nagpur, India.
morghade_rohit.ghrcece@raisoni.net

Nikhil A. Maske
Asst. Professor, Civil Engineering,Dept.
G.H. Raisoni College of Engg.
Nagpur, India.
nikhilmaske@gmail.com

Abstract In this paper an approach to study the variation of

various concrete constituents for different design slumps for the
same grade of concrete. In Ready-Mix Concrete Plants, the
concrete mix design is altered everytime according to the
workability requirements of clients as well as the distance to be
covered by transit mixer along with the temperature of
surroundings. The choice of correct design slump results in
efficient utilisation of constituent materials and prove to be
economical. This paper compares the variation of constituent
material, basically cementious material, fine and coarse
aggregate. The workability test used for this investigation was
slump test.Slump is a relative measurement in concrete
consistency.

& durability, and an art because in addition to accurate

Index
TermsWorkability,
Aggregate, Slump Introduction.

which it can be mixed, placed, consolidated, and finished.

Ready-Mix

Concrete,

proportioning, quality of concrete depends on the way it is

mixed, placed, compacted, finished, cured and protected.
Ready mix Concrete (RMC) technology results in a perfect
blend of the Art and Science.
American Concrete Institute (ACI) Standard 116R-90 (ACI
1990b) defines workability as that property of freshly mixed
concrete which determines the ease and homogeneity with
For this study, workability is considered to increase or
improve as the ease of placement, consolidation, and finishing

I. INTRODUCTION
Concrete

is

most

vital

material

of a concrete increase. In common practice, an assumption is

in

modern

made that the standard test for slump of concrete indicates

construction. It has versatile properties like easy mouldability,

workability. In fact, it correlates well with one component of

high compressive strength and long lasting durability. In

workability. Aggregates influence the workability of the

addition to normal concrete, other varieties in use are, high

concrete by the amount of aggregate, the relative proportions

strength and high performance concrete, self-compacting, light

of fine and coarse aggregate, and the different aggregate

weight, high density, fiber reinforced, polymer, coloured

properties.

concrete etc.
The making of concrete is an art as well as a

Factors affecting workability:

science.Science because all the ingredients are proportioned as

per the standard codes of practice to get the targeted strength

Water-Cement Ratio: More the water cement ratio more will

be the workability of concrete. Since by simply adding water

the inter-particle lubrication is increased. High water content

The acceptance of a freshly mixed concrete depends

results in a higher fluidity and greater workability. Increased

on concrete quality control test results. If the results indicate

water content also results in bleeding. Another effect of higher

that the concrete does not meet the specification, mix design

water content can be escape of cement slurry through joints of

adjustment must be made. Concrete mix design and

formwork.

adjustment are complicated and time-consuming tasks

Amount and type of Aggregate: Since larger aggregate sizes

performed best by experienced persons.

have relatively smaller surface areas for cement paste to coat

India is the second largest producer of cement in the

and less water means less cement, it is usually suggested to

world. In 2003, India produced 115 million metric tons (Mt) of

use larger aggregate size particles and stiffest practical mix. In

cement, behind China (750 Mt), but ahead of the U.S. (93 Mt)

case of Ready-Mix Concrete, the cement-aggregate ratio is so

and Japan (72 Mt) (UNESCAP, 2004; van Oss, 2004). Indias

selected so as to achieve the best workable concrete at site

cement industry both installed capacity and actual

which is usually after 90 to 120 minutes after the addition of

production has grown significantly over the past three

water to the mix. A fine aggregate deficiency results in a

decades, with production increasing at an average rate of 8.1%

mixture that is harsh, prone to segregation, and difficult to

per year between 1981 and 2003.

finish. On the contrary, an excess of fine aggregate will lead to

With infrastructure development growing and the

some extent more permeable and less economical concrete,

housing sector booming,, there has been a rapid increase in the

although the mixture will be easily workable.

demand for Ready-Mix Concrete due to its convenience and

Temperature: If the temperature is high, evaporation

rapid concreting facilities. It is, therefore, very important to

increases which causes considerable decrease

maintain both quality as well as economic aspects.

in the

workability of the concrete. It is therefore very important to

Major Ready-Mix Concrete plants use fly ash as 30%

keep a watch on the temperature while preparing mix design.

to 50% of the total cementious content of the mix design. This

Admixtures: Admixtures form an essential part of the

has again proved to be economical for the companies.

Concrete especially in the Ready-Mix Concrete Sector as they

Fly ash is an industrial waste product. The cost

can increase the workability. Air entraining agents produce air

incurred is mainly that of transportation from the power plant

bubbles which act as ball- bearing between particles and

to the construction site. Cost of fly ash within 200 km from a

increase mobility and hence workability.

thermal power plant is as low as 10% to 20% of the cost of

Slump: Slump is a relative measurement in concrete

cement. This offers a certain economic advantage.

consistency. It is not an indicator of quality of the material.

The slump of a mix with the same aggregate, cement and

III. LITERATURE REVIEW

water can vary significantly by adding an admixture. The

admixture does not reduce the quality of the material.
II. CURRENT SCENARIO

Overview
Concrete is the most widely used man made
construction material in the world, and is the most utilized

In all the developed as well as most of the developing

substance on the planet. Concrete is a composite material that

nations, use of RMC for construction has made it possible to

consists essentially of a binding medium within which are

achieve speed and quality. The advent of commercial RMC in

embedded particles or fragments of aggregate, usually a

India is about a decade old, but in recent years it has become

combination of fine aggregate and coarse aggregate. The

the preferred choice of architects, engineers and consumers.

mixture when placed in forms and allowed to cure hardens

into a rock like mass. The hardening is caused by chemical

reaction between water and cement and it continues for a long

6.

The fineness modulus of the fine

time and consequently the concrete grows stronger with age.

7.

aggregate
The bulking of sand

In a concrete mix cementious material and Fly Ash Concrete

8.

Moisture Content

9.

The bulk density of aggregate

applies to engineered concrete systems in which have fly ash

as a partial replacement of cement. This type of concrete often
requires the use of a super plasticizer in order to achieve the

2.48
10 %
2%
1725.925
kg/m3

The following test procedures were followed:

desired workability. The fly ash quantity is optimized through

judicious selection of materials, mixture proportioning and the

Sieve analysis:

use of chemical admixtures. The ingredients of fly ash

The primary sieve analysis of the constituent elements of

concrete are, fly ash, cement, sand, coarse aggregate and

concrete namely 10mm aggregate, 20mm aggregate, river

water. The allowable percentage of fly ash in cement ranges

sand was been carried out before batching them. The samples

from 55 to 60% coats the surface of the fine and coarse

were air dried or preheated at 100-110C before sieving. It

aggregates and binds them together as it cures, thereby

was ensured that the sieves were clean before sieving of any

cementing the particles of aggregates together in a compact

of the constituents. After carrying out all these preliminary

mass. water form a paste called cement-water paste which in

procedures the sieve analysis was been carried out in

addition to filling the voids of the fine aggregate The strength,

accordance with IS: 2386 (Part 1) 1963.

durability and other characteristics of the concrete depend

upon the properties of its ingredients, on the proportions of
mix, the method of compaction and other controls during
placing, compaction and curing. The popularity of the
concrete is due to the fact that from the common ingredients, it
is possible to tailor the properties of concrete to meet the
demands of any particular situation. The key to producing a
strong, durable and uniform concrete, i.e. high performance
concrete lies in the careful control of its basic and process
components which are cement, aggregates, water and
admixtures.

TEST

The specific gravity and water absorption of the aggregates

was found before the batching of the trial mix. These results
played a crucial role in the mix design. The respective samples
were soaked in clean water for 24 hrs at 22C to 32C.
After this the samples were oven dried at 100C to 110C for
24 1/2 hrs. The specific gravity and the water absorption
values of the aggregate were calculated in accordance with IS:
2386 (Part 3) 1963.

Mix design:

IV. EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAMME

SR.NO.

Specific Gravity and Water absorption:

The mix design was calculated using the test results on the

RESULT

aggregate and the procedure described in IS: 10262 - 2009.

1.

Fineness of the cement

10%

The materials were batched by weight for a quantity of

2.

The standard consistency

35 %

0.035m3 and then dry mixed in the mixer. The quantity of

3.

Initial setting time of the cement

45 minutes

water calculated in the mix then was added along with the

4.

The specific gravity of an aggregate

The fineness modulus of the coarse

2.76

admixture. The constituents were thoroughly mixed. It was

5.

aggregate

8.84

ensured that no lumps were remaining in the bottom of the

mixer to get a uniform mix.
Mix calculations:-

The sample mix calculations per unit volume of concrete shall

be as follows:
a)
Volume of concrete
=
1m3
b)
Volume of cement
= ((Mass of cement*1) /
(specific gravity of cement))*100
= 0.085m3
c)
Volume of fly ash = ((Mass of fly ash*1)/ (specific
gravity of water))*100
= 0.066m3
d)

Volume of water = ((Mass of water*1) / (specific

gravity of water))*100
= 0.177m3

e)

Volume of admixture = ((Mass of water*1) / (specific

gravity of water))*100
= 0.0041m3

f)
g)

h)

i)

Volume of all in aggregate =

= [a-{b+c+d+e}]
= 0.672 m3
Mass of Coarse Aggregate 10mm = (f * volume of
coarse aggregate) X 1000(S.G of 10mm aggregate *
%age of 10mm)
= 358 Kg
Mass of coarse aggregate 20mm = (f * volume of
coarse aggregate) X 1000(S.G of 20mm aggregate *
%age of 20mm)
= 644 Kg
Mass of fine aggregate = (f * volume of fine
aggregate) X 1000 (S.G of fine aggregate * %age of
fine aggregate)
= 710 Kg

V. TEST RESULTS

MIX
DESIGN

M20
WITHOUT
ADMIXTUR
E (150175MM)

M20
WITHOUT
ADMIXTUR
E (125150MM)

M20
WITHOUT
ADMIXTURE
(100-125MM)

CEMENT

278

271

264

FLYASH

150

146

142

20MM

644

654

664

10MM
RIVER
SAND

358

363

369

710

721

732

WATER

214

208

203

TABLE 1. Mix design M-20 without admixture

MIX
DESIGN

M20 WITH
ADMIXTURE
(150-175MM)

M20 WITH
ADMIXTURE
(125-150MM)

M20 WITH
ADMIXTURE
(100-125MM)

CEMENT
FLYASH
20MM
10MM
RIVER SAND
ADMIXTURE
WATER

236
127
701
389
772
1%
182

230
124
709
394
782
1%
177

224
121
717
399
791
1%
172

TABLE 2. Mix design M-20 with admixture

Slump cone test:

After mixing, the slump cone test was been carried out. Initial
slump was taken just after mixing the trial, after which the
slump cone test was carried out at regular intervals of 30min,
60min, 90min, 120min, and 180 min.
MIX
DESIGN

M25
WITHOUT
ADMIXTURE
(150-175MM)

M25
WITHOUT
ADMIXTURE
(125-150MM)

M25
WITHOUT
ADMIXTURE
(100-125MM)

CEMENT
FLYASH
20MM
10MM
RIVER SAND
ADMIXTURE
WATER

278
150
644
358
710
0%
214

236
149
653
363
714
0%
208

269
145
663
368
725
0%
203

TABLE 3. Mix design M-25 without admixture

MIX
DESIGN

M25 WITH
ADMIXTURE
(150-175MM)

M25 WITH
ADMIXTURE
(125-150MM)

M25 WITH
ADMIXTURE
(100-125MM)

236
127
701
389

235
126
709
394

229
123
717
398
785

772

776

1%
182

1%
177

CEMENT
FLYASH
20MM
10MM
RIVER
SAND
ADMIXT
URE
WATER

MIX DESIGN

M35 WITH
ADMIXTURE
(125-150MM)

M35 WITH
ADMIXTURE
(100-125MM)

CEMENT
FLYASH
20MM
10MM
RIVER SAND
ADMIXTURE
WATER

281
151
700
389
722
1%
177

273
147
709
394
732
1%
172

1%

TABLE 7. Mix design M-35 with admixture

172

TABLE 4. Mix design M-25 with admixture

MIX DESIGN
CEMENT
FLYASH
20MM
10MM
RIVER SAND
ADMIXTURE
WATER

M30
WITHOUT
ADMIXTURE
(125-150MM)
315
170
632
351
687
0%
208

M30 WITHOUT
ADMIXTURE (100125MM)
306
165
643
357
699
0%
203

MIX DESIGN

M40 WITH
ADMIXTURE
(125-150MM)

M40 WITH
ADMIXTURE
(100-125MM)

CEMENT
FLYASH
20MM
10MM
RIVER SAND
ADMIXTURE
WATER

310
133
701
289
718
1%
177

302
129
710
395
728
1.2%
172

TABLE 8. Mix design M-40 with admixture

DISCUSSION & CONCLUSION

TABLE 5. Mix design M-30 without admixture

From the above observations, following conclusions regarding

workability of concrete mix and its constituents can be made.
1.

As the design slump goes on decreasing, the

cementious content was observed to decline as

MIX DESIGN
CEMENT
FLYASH
20MM
10MM
RIVER SAND
ADMIXTURE
WATER

M30 WITH
ADMIXTURE
(125-150MM)

M30 WITH
ADMIXTURE
(100-125MM)

268
144
692
384
752
1%
177

260
140
701
389
762
1%
172

TABLE 6. Mix design M-30 with admixture

2.

compared to the initial value.

Also, a fall in water content /m3 of concrete was

3.

observed as we decreased the design slump value.

However, keeping the primary consideration as
workability, it was required to keep the mix blended
enough to ensure pumping. Therefore an increase in
the volume of aggregate (coarse as well as fine) is

4.

observed after conducting the trials.

Workability ensures a proper pump able mix to meet
user-end requirements.

5.

6.

Hence, keeping the final strength unaffected by the

Husk Ash. Procedia Engineering 32 (2012) 1026 1032 1877-

variation of constituents it was made a point to change

7058

the required slump according to the requirement.

Comparison of various constituents can be easily

doi:10.1016/j.proeng.2012.02.04.

studied for each and every mix design.

2012

Published

by

Elsevier

Ltd.

Available online at www.sciencedirect.com.

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