Civil and Environmental Engineering Society

CONCRETE MIX CALCULATOR

Warakagoda R. W. M. R. W. W. A. H. K, Dhanapala D. M. S. L. and Jayasinghe D.P.U.B

Supervisor: Dr. H. P. Sooriyaarachchi

Abstract
There are several methods for selecting mix proportions for concrete.BS Method (DOE), IS (Indian) Method
and ACI (American Concrete Institute) Method are some of the suitable methods for mix selections. BS method is
usually the most common method used in Sri Lanka. Our knowledge and experience in using other methods in selecting
mix proportions are very limited. With limited exposure to other methods of mix selection, performance of other
methods in relation to our country used aggregate types are relatively unknown. Therefore main objective of this
research has been to compare the performance of different mix selection procedures of our locally available aggregate
types. In addition to the experimental procedure mix design calculator was developed. ‘Concrete Mix Calculator’ is a
stand along software that allows the users to select mix proportions for normal concrete based on different methods of
mix selection described above. The calculator also use our existing knowledge of using BS methods for locally available
different fine aggregate types and provide more specific solutions for river sand, offshore sand and quarry dust
combined with crushed aggregate. In addition to selection of mix proportions for normal concrete, concrete mix
calculator provides mix proportions for self compacting concrete for the locally available fine aggregate types based on
previous research experiences.
Keywords – Concrete, BS Method(DOE), IS Method (Indian), ACI Method (American Concrete Institute), Coarse
aggregate, River sand, Offshore sand, Quarry dust, Compressive strength, Workability

1. INTRODUCTION
Concrete is the most widely used construction
material in the world. It is a composite material which is
obtained by mixing cement, water, fine and coarse
aggregates in required proportions. The concrete mix
design is a process of selecting the suitable ingredients of
concrete and determining their most optimum proportions
which would produce, as economically as possible,
concrete that satisfies the job requirements, i.e. the
concrete having a certain minimum compressive
strength, the desired workability and durability. The mix
design methods being followed in different countries are
mostly based on empirical relationships, charts and graphs
developed from extensive experimental investigations. Some
of the common mix design methods to produce ordinary
concrete mixes are, British Standard [1] (British Mix
design Method), Mix Design According to Indian
Standard Recommended guidelines [2] (IS Mix Design
Method) and American Concrete Institute Method [3]
(ACI Mix Design Method).BS Method is also known as
DOE Method (Department of Environment). Depend on
the different mix design methods, factors to be considered
in each mix design method different to each other. Grade
of concrete, fine/ coarse aggregate type, workability
measurement are some of them. So with that, in actual
situation local concrete constitutions especially the
aggregates would behave differently in concrete
production as specified in various mix design approaches.
BS method is the most common method used in Sri Lanka
for concrete mix designing. Because of that, the
knowledge and experiences using other methods are in
limited exposure. The performance of different mix
design methods with the local aggregates should be
identified.
2. METHODOLOGY
2.1 Experimental Study
In the experimental investigation three mixes
with three different W/C ratios is considered for each
mixing method to compare the performance [5]. 0.4, 0.5
and 0.6 W/C ratios are selected for the mixes. 9 number
of mixes were made for constant workability and
aggregate and cement used. 20mm coarse aggregate used
with the river sand and sieve analysis was done according
to the BS 882[4] to get the data, grading of fine aggregate
(for BS method), grading zone for fine aggregate (for IS
method) and fineness modulus (for ACI method). For the
constant workability selected 85mm slump to be achieved
for all mixes. The results are mainly evaluated under
compressive strength, water demand. To do a code
comparison of ACI method, other than cubes cylindrical
specimens were casted.
2.2 Concrete Mix Calculator
Basically program consist of general
explanation, comparative tool and explanation on code,
allowable limits, and equations, theory behind the
equation, flow chart, and general example for each and
every code approaches. Except from that all tables from
codes, simple explanation on some theories, calculator
and many other details and facilities were provided at the
appropriate places.
Features of the Program:
 Calculate the mix proportions according to the
different mix design methods BS,ACI and IS
 Allow to get the mixes for local aggregate types,
quarry dust, sea sand and river sand
 Gives the mixing data for high performance
concrete
 Provide necessary limitations for inputs where
ever necessary

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Proceedings of the First Engineering Graduate Symposium on Recent Advances in Civil Engineering
26th September 2011
 Civil and Environmental Engineering Society
 Ability to add constrains for cement content and
for W/C ratio according to the user specified
limits
 Ability to calculate the proportions according to
the W/C ratios for experimental studies
 Corrections for moisture content of the
aggregates
 Water content adjustments in „trial mix‟ section
to get required workability
 Comparison tool to compare the mix proportions
for given mix at one time with all three mixing
approaches
 Learning tool with Basic explanation about the
different mix design methods, Step by step
description for mix design criteria and guided
examples for BS,ACI and IS Methods
3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
3.1 Compressive strength of concrete
The compressive strength of concrete made out
of different mix design methods were tested, the results
are as shown in figure 1. The figure shows the
compressive strength at the 28th day for all mixes done
with three different mixing approaches.
Figure 1: Relationship between 28 th day
Compressive strength and free water, cement
ratio
The maximum strength was achieved in the
mixes which were prepared with IS method. BS method
has low strength comparative to the IS and BS methods.
Cylindrical compressive strength achieved in ACI mixes
are shown in figure 2. Cylindrical compressive strength
achieved in the mixes was more than the ACI
specifications.
Code
60 Requirement
50 Experimental
28 days Cylindrical
Strength(Nmm-2)
Data
40
30
20
10
0 [6] Neville A.M. (1996) “Properties of Concrete” Forth edition, John
0.4 0.5 0.6
W/C Ratio
Figure 2: Relationship between 28 th day Cylindrical
Compressive strength and free water, cement ratio
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Proceedings of the First Engineering Graduate Symposium on Recent Advances in Civil Engineering
3.2 Water Demand
Design water content for the mixes taken
according to the mix design approach used. The results
obtained are shown in the figure 3. The results were
drawn considering the first design value as the datum.
40
Increased Water Content (kg)
BS
30 IS
20
ACI
10
0
0.4 0.5 0.6
W/C Ratio
Figure 3: Graph of water demand vs. W/C ratio
Water demand was varying from the design
value, all the mixes required more water than design
values. Water demand for BS mixes was higher than the
normal concrete mix and ACI mixes have lowest water
demand.
4. CONCLUSIONS
 Different mix design methods give different
equations and different approaches for concrete
mixing.
 Among the BS, ACI and IS mix design methods, IS
method mixes have more coarse aggregate content
and less fine aggregate content comparatively to
other two methods.
 Main reason for high strength achievement in IS
method would be the aggregate content.
 BS method receives more water demand because BS
method‟s mixes have high fine aggregate contents.
 For the local aggregates most preferred method of
mix design is IS method.
 The software „Concrete mix Calculator‟ can be use as
a comparison tool and learning tool to calculate mix
proportions for BS,IS,ACI methods as well as
concrete made with quarry dust, river sand, sea sand
and for high performance concrete.
REFERENCES
[1] BS 5328, British Method of Mix Design
[2] IS 10262-1982, IS Method of Mix Design
[3] ACI 211.1-91, ACI Method of Mix Design
[4] BS 882(2002) „Specification for aggregate from natural sources for
concrete‟, British standards institution Londan.
[5] M.L.G Gambhir, „Concrete Technology‟, second edition, pp24-
30(1999)
Wiley and Sons, Inc, Malaysia, VVP, pp.649-666
26th September 2011