Mix Design Basics

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 Mix Design Goals

adequate workability
adequate strength
adequate durability
minimumcost

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 Cost of Materials

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Source:November7,2011enr.com
 Mix Design Goals

adequate workability
adequate strength
adequate durability
minimumcost

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 Minimizing Cost Cement

minimizethevoidspacebetween
theaggregateparticles

minimizethesurfaceareaof
theaggregateparticles

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 Minimizing Void Space

Void content = 48% Void content = 41%

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 Minimizing Surface Area

10"

surface area = 11 ft2 surface area = 22 ft2

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 Minimizing Surface Area

surface area = 6.0 ft2/ft3 surface area = 4.8 ft2/ft3

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 Obtaining Adequate Workability

gravel

Needenough
mortartokeep
allthegravel
particlesapart.

mortar

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 Inside Concrete
gravel sand

mortar cementpaste

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 Obtaining Adequate Workability

sand

Needenough
cementpasteto
keepallthesand
grainsapart

cementpaste
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 Inside Concrete
sand cement

cementpaste water

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 Obtaining Adequate Workability

cement

Needenough
mixingwaterto
lubricateallthe
cementgrains

water
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 Obtaining Adequate Workability

cement

Airentrainment
addslubrication
withoutadding
additionalwater
air
bubble
water

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 Figure714

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CIVL 3137 fc 4500 psi 20
CIVL 3137 fc 4500 psi 21
CIVL 3137 fc 4500 psi fcr 5700 psi 22
 Overdesign Factors
Table 7-12 Overdesign Necessary to Meet Strength RequirementsA

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 Overdesign Factors

RequiredAverageCompressiveStrengthWhenData
AreNotAvailabletoEstablishaStandardDeviation

Adapted from ASTM C94

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 Trial Mix Design

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 Mix Design Example

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 Step 1: Select the slump
EquivalenttoTable713

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 Step 2: Select the NMAS

narrowest dimension
NMAS
5

depth of slab
NMAS
3

NMAS 0.75 clear space

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 Step 3: Estimate the water and air
EquivalenttoTable714

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 Air Content

40% Paste Air Content

Cement Assume 7%
Paste

Concrete Air Content

60%
Smaller 0.4 7% = 2.8%
Aggregate
NMAS

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 Air Content

30%
Cement Paste Air Content
Paste Assume 7%

70%
Concrete Air Content
Aggregate
Larger 0.3 7% = 2.1%
NMAS

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 Adjust for Aggregate Shape

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 Step 4: Select the w/c ratio
EquivalenttoTable715

fcr

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 Overdesign Factors

RequiredAverageCompressiveStrengthWhenData
AreNotAvailabletoEstablishaStandardDeviation

Adapted from ASTM C94

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 Step 4: Select the w/c ratio
EquivalenttoTable715

fcr

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 Figure714

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 Step 5: Calculate the cement weight

Wwater
Wcement =
w/c ratio

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 Step 6: Estimate coarse aggregate
EquivalenttoTable717

b
bo

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 b/bo

bo

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 Step 6: Estimate coarse aggregate

V bulk
gravel b bo V bulk
concrete

Wgravel V dry-rodded
bulk bulk

gravel gravel unit weight

Wgravel b b o V bulk bulk

concrete gravel

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 Step 7: Estimate fine aggregate
EstimatedWeightMethod
(Section78.1)
NMAS 3
FirstEstimateofConcreteUnitMass(lb/ft )
(in) NonAirEntrainedConcrete AirEntrainedConcrete
142.0 137.5
144.0 139.0
146.5 141.5
1 148.5 143.5
1 151.0 146.0
2 153.0 147.5
3 155.5 150.0
6 157.5 152.0

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EquivalenttoTable718 46
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 Step 7: Estimate fine aggregate

EstimatedWeightMethod
(Section78.1)

Wtotal Wcement Wgravel Wsand Wwater

Wsand Wtotal Wcement Wgravel Wwater

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 Step 7: Estimate fine aggregate

AbsoluteVolumeMethod
(Section78.2)

Vtotal Vcement Vgravel Vsand Vwater Vair

Vsand Vtotal Vcement Vgravel Vwater Vair

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 Step 7: Estimate fine aggregate
AbsoluteVolumeMethod
(Section78.2)

Vsand Vtotal Vcement Vgravel Vwater Vair

1 Wcement Wgravel Wwater

Vsand Vtotal bulk Vair
w 3.15 G gravel 1.00

Wsand Vsand G bulk

sand w
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Step 8: Adjust for Aggregate Moisture

1. Increase Wwater by an amount equal to the

weight of water needed to saturate the fine
and coarse aggregate.
2. Increase Wsand and Wgravel by an amount
equal to the moisture contents of the
aggregate stockpiles.
3. Decrease Wwater by the same amount you
increased Wsand and Wgravel.

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