Concrete Mix Design
Concrete Mix Design
Concrete Mix Design
SECTION 800
CONCRETE MIX DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
810.00 SCOPE
All Portland cement concrete work within any street, parking lot or R.O.W. or in any part
of the water system, sanitary sewer system, or storm drainage system of Elbert County
shall meet the requirements of these CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS &
SPECIFICATIONS.
811.00 Inspections
Refer to Section 154.00 Inspections and Section 931.00 Roadway Inspections of these
CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS & SPECIFICATIONS.
Adequate inspections assure compliance to Elbert County requirements and are the
basis for Elbert Countys recommendation that improvements be accepted for
maintenance and/or for release of performance guarantees. It is the responsibility of
the Contractor to contact the Road & Bridge Superintendent / Elbert County Engineer
a minimum of one (1) full working day (twenty-four [24] hours) in advance of the
required inspections. Required inspections shall include:
Concrete shall be composed of Portland cement, aggregate and water, and shall be
reinforced with steel bars or steel wire fabric where required.
Concrete mix design information shall be prepared in accordance with ACI 301 Section
4.2 and submitted to Elbert County for approval. At least two (2) sets of certified twenty-
eight (28) day strength test results shall also be submitted. No concrete shall be placed
until the concrete mix design has been approved by the Road & Bridge Superintendent /
Elbert County Engineer.
A separate mix design submittal shall be required for concrete to be pumped. Mix
designs shall be prepared in accordance with ACI 211 and 304, as applicable.
821.00 Materials
821.01 Cement
All cement used in concrete work shall be Portland cement that complies with
ASTM C150, Type I or Type II, except where Type V cement is required for
sulfate-resistant concrete. In general, Type II cement that complies with ASTM
C150 shall be used in concrete in contact with the soil, unless otherwise allowed
or directed by the Road & Bridge Superintendent / Elbert County Engineer.
Cement, which for any reason has become partially set or which contains lumps
shall be rejected.
The Contractor shall be responsible for proper storage of all cement until it is
used. When requested by the Road & Bridge Superintendent / Elbert County
Engineer, the Contractor shall furnish the Road & Bridge Superintendent / Elbert
Fly ash may be utilized in the concrete mix design when permitted by the Road &
Bridge Superintendent / Elbert County Engineer. Fly ash shall be Class C and
shall comply with ASTM C618. The pozzolanic index shall be eighty-five (85).
Fly ash may replace a maximum of twenty (20) percent of the amount of Portland
cement that otherwise is required to produce concrete of the specified
compressive strength. Class C fly ash shall not be permitted where sulfate
resistant cement is required.
The Contractor shall notify the Road & Bridge Superintendent / Elbert County
Engineer of the source of the fly ash prior to use in the project. When required by
the Road & Bridge Superintendent / Elbert County Engineer, the Contractor shall
provide the fly ash analysis performed by the fly ash supplier along with the
concrete mix proportions. The Road & Bridge Superintendent / Elbert County
Engineer may require a certificate from an approved testing laboratory stating that
the fly ash meets the requirements of these CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS &
SPECIFICATIONS.
821.03 Water
Water for concrete shall be clean and free from sand, oil, acid, alkali, organic
matter, or other deleterious substances and shall meet the requirements for mix
water as published in ASTM C94. Water from public supplies or water that has
been proven to be suitable for drinking is satisfactory.
821.04 Admixtures
The fine aggregate shall be clean, hard, durable, uncoated particles of sand, free
from injurious amounts of clay, dust, soft or flaky particles, loam, shale, alkali,
organic matter, or other deleterious matter. Fine aggregate shall be well graded,
and when tested by means of laboratory sieves shall comply with ASTM C33.
The fine aggregate gradation shall comply with CDOT Fine Aggregate.
The coarse aggregate shall consist of broken stone or gravel that is clean, hard,
tough and durable, and free from soft, thin, elongated or laminated pieces,
disintegrated stone, clay, loam, vegetable, or other deleterious matter.
Coarse aggregate shall be well graded and when tested by means of laboratory
sieves shall comply with ASTM C33. The coarse aggregate gradation shall
comply with CDOT Coarse Aggregate Gradation # 467.
Fibrous concrete reinforcing shall not be used, unless approved by the Road &
Bridge Superintendent / Elbert County Engineer.
Mix properties of Portland cement concrete for flatwork shall comply with the
following:
The grading and composition requirements for coarse and fine aggregate for concrete
shall be in accordance with the CDOT Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge
Construction. Additional concrete mix designs may be approved for decorative, non-
structural concrete at the discretion of the Road & Bridge Superintendent / Elbert
County Engineer.
Where required on the approved plans, colored patterned concrete shall comply
with the following:
A. Minimum twenty-eight (28) day compressive strength of concrete
shall be 4,000 psi.
B. Air entrainment shall be six (6) percent [+ 1%] for maximum
aggregate size of three-quarter () inch or one (1) inch and shall
be seven and one-half (7 ) percent [+ 1%] for a maximum
aggregate size of three-eight () inch or one-half () inch.
C. Normal set or retarded set water reducing admixture shall comply
with ASTM C494.
D. No calcium chloride shall be added to the concrete mix.
E. Matching integral color shall be used as a supplement, but not as a
color hardener.
F. Color hardener shall be specially formulated for installation of
patterned concrete, grade Heavy Duty. Color curing compound
shall comply with ASTM C309 and with all applicable air
pollution regulations.
CLSM (Flowable Fill) mix designs shall be submitted to the Road & Bridge
Superintendent / Elbert County Engineer for approval prior to placement. CLSM
used as structure backfill, as backfill for pipelines and service lines, or to fill
abandoned pipelines and appurtenances shall have a twenty-eight (28) day
compressive strength between fifty (50) and one-hundred fifty (150) psi, as tested
by ASTM D4832.
CLSM shall be placed in confined areas and under pipe haunches with methods
approved by Elbert County. When backfilling pipelines and service lines, CLSM
shall be properly layered to prevent pipe from floating.
Onsite material mix designs may be approved. Test sections may be required and
a placement plan may be required to be submitted for approval by the Road &
Bridge Superintendent / Elbert County Engineer.
Material lbs./yd3
Cement 501
Water3 325 (39 gallons) or as needed
Coarse Aggregate
1700
(AASHTO No. 57 or 67)
Fine Aggregate
1845
(AASHTO M6)3
1
40 lbs. /yd3 cement and 10 lbs. /yd3 Class C fly ash may be substituted for 50
lbs. /yd3 cement.
2
CLSM shall flow into place without excessive segregation or bleed water.
3
The percent passing the #200 sieve shall be between 8% - 20%.
The use of ready-mixed concrete shall in no way relieve the Contractor or Developer
of the responsibility for proportion, mix, delivery, or placement of concrete. All
ready-mixed concrete shall comply with ASTM C94.
Concrete shall be continuously mixed or agitated from the time the water is added
until the time of use, and discharge from the truck should begin within ninety (90)
minutes or three-hundred (300) revolutions after it comes in contact with the mixing
water or with the aggregates. In accordance with ASTM C94, water may be added to
ready-mix concrete one time in order to get slump within range, as long as the
specified water-cement ration is not exceeded.
Elbert County shall have free access to the ready mix plant at all times. The
organization supplying the concrete shall have sufficient plant and transportation
facilities to assure continuous delivery of the concrete at the required rate.
The contractor shall collect delivery or batch tickets from the driver for all concrete
used on the project and shall deliver them to the Road & Bridge Superintendent /
Elbert County Engineer. Batch tickets shall provide the following information in
accordance with ASTM C94:
The placement, fastening, splicing and supporting of reinforcing steel and wire
mesh or bar mat reinforcement shall comply with the plans and the latest edition
of CRSI Recommended Practice for Placing Reinforcing Bars. Before being
positioned, all reinforcing steel shall be thoroughly cleaned of mill and rust scale
and of coatings that may destroy or reduce the bond. Where there is delay in
depositing concrete, reinforcement shall be reinspected and cleaned if necessary.
Reinforcement shall be carefully formed to the dimensions indicated on the
approved plans by the cold bending method. Cold bends shall be made so that the
inside diameter of the bend measured on the inside of the bar shall be as follows:
The inside diameter of bend for stirrups and ties shall not be less than four (4) bar
diameters for sizes #5 and smaller, and five (5) bar diameters for #6 and #8.
Reinforcement shall not be bent or straightened in a manner that may injure the
material. Bars with kinks or bends shall not be used except where shown on the
plans. Heating of reinforcement shall not be permitted.
Welded wire fabric for concrete reinforcement shall be of the gauge, spacing,
dimensions, and form specified on the plans or Detailed Drawings and shall
comply with Specifications for Welded Steel Wire Fabric for Concrete
Reinforcement (ASTM A185) or Specifications for Welded Deformed Steel
Wire Fabric for Concrete Reinforcement (ASTM A497).
Contractor shall submit shop drawings of the reinforcement to the Road & Bridge
Superintendent / Elbert County Engineer for approval. Unless otherwise shown
on the plans, the minimum clear cover for reinforcing steel shall be the following,
as specified in Section 5.5 of ACI 301:
Forms may generally be wood or metal and shall have a depth equal to or greater
than the slab thickness. Plywood forms, plastic coated plywood forms, or steel
forms shall be used for all surfaces requiring forming which are exposed to view,
whether inside or outside any structure. Surfaces against backfilled earth, interior
surfaces of covered channels, or other places permanently obscured from view,
may be formed with forms having sub-standard surfaces.
Forms that have become worn, bent, or broken shall not be used. Each section of
form shall be straight and free from warps. The Contractor shall set a minimum
length of three hundred (300) feet of forms to grade prior to placing concrete. In
cases where the length of one run is less than three hundred (300) feet, the
Contractor shall set forms to grade for the entire run.
The face of curbs shall be formed, unless otherwise permitted by the Road &
Bridge Superintendent / Elbert County Engineer. Forms shall be secured to resist
the pressure of the poured concrete without springing or settlement. The
connection between sections shall be performed by a method in which the joint
shall be free from movement in any direction.
Forms shall not deviate more than one-quarter () inch from the design line and
grade.
The Contractor shall provide an approved metal straight edge, ten (10) feet in
length, to check the alignment of the forms prior to placing the concrete, and to
check the concrete surface during the finishing operation.
Forms shall not be disturbed until the concrete has hardened sufficiently to permit
removal without damaging the concrete, or until forms are not required to protect the
concrete from mechanical damage. The minimum duration of time before removal of
forms after placing concrete shall be one (1) day for footings and two (2) days for all
other concrete. Crowbars or other heavy tools shall not be used against green
concrete when removing forms. Forms shall be thoroughly cleaned before re-oiling
and reuse.
The requirements of this section shall apply to testing services for all concrete curb
and gutter, sidewalk, pavement, slope paving, retaining walls, structures, and for all
miscellaneous concrete testing.
A representative of the concrete testing agency shall inspect, sample, and test material
and production of concrete as required by the Road & Bridge Superintendent / Elbert
County Engineer. When it appears that any material furnished or work performed by
the Contractor fails to fulfill specification requirements, the testing agency shall
report such deficiency to the Road & Bridge Superintendent / Elbert County Engineer
and the Contractor.
The concrete testing agency shall report all test and inspection results to the Road &
Bridge Superintendent / Elbert County Engineer and Contractor immediately after
they are performed. All test reports shall include the exact location of the work at
which the batch represented by a test was deposited. The report of the strength test
shall include detailed information on storage and curing of specimen prior to testing,
the project number, and the location of the concrete (curb, manhole, inlet, sidewalk,
paving, etc.).
The concrete testing agency or its representative is not authorized to revoke, alter,
relax, expand or release any requirements of these CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS
& SPECIFICATIONS, nor to approve or accept any portion of the work.
The Developer shall provide the concrete testing agency with the following:
Any labor necessary to assist the designated concrete testing agency in obtaining and
handling samples at the project or from other sources of material.
Provide and maintain for the sole use of the concrete testing agency adequate
facilities for safe storage and proper curing of concrete test specimens on the project
site as required by AASHTO T23.
The use of concrete testing services shall not relieve the Contractor of the
responsibility to furnish material and construct in full compliance with these
CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS & SPECIFICATIONS.
In the case of questionable concrete materials or work, the Road & Bridge
Superintendent / Elbert County Engineer may direct that core tests be taken on all
questionable concrete placements, at the Contractors expense. If the concrete shows
inadequate strength or other deficiencies, it shall be removed and replaced at the
Contractors expense. If any core shows a deficiency of thickness greater than one-
half () inch, exploratory cores shall be taken in increments as dictated by the Road
& Bridge Superintendent / Elbert County Engineer, and all concrete deficient by more
than one-half () inch shall be removed and replaced at the Contractors expense.
The following services shall be performed by the designated concrete testing agency
at the expense of the Developer:
1. Field cured test series (if required by the Road & Bridge
Superintendent / Elbert County Engineer):
Four (4) cylinders; two (2) to be broken at seven (7) days; two (2) to be broken at
fourteen (l4) days or as directed by the Road & Bridge Superintendent / Elbert
County Engineer.
Before placing concrete, debris shall be removed from the space to be occupied by
the concrete. The forms and all concrete surfaces shall be thoroughly wetted. The
concrete shall be placed on damp but not wet or muddy subgrade. Concrete shall be
placed and compacted so that it is free from honeycomb and free from pockets of
segregated aggregate. Sections of segregation or honeycomb revealed by removal of
the forms shall be removed and replaced or otherwise repaired as approved by the
Road & Bridge Superintendent / Elbert County Engineer.
Concrete shall not be placed until all forms and reinforcing steel have been inspected
and approved by the Elbert County Inspector/Representative. Concrete shall be
handled from the mixer to the place of final deposit as rapidly as possible by methods
that prevent separation or loss of ingredients. The concrete shall be deposited in the
forms as close as practicable in its final position to avoid re-handling. It shall be
deposited in continuous layers, the thickness of which generally shall not exceed
twelve (12) inches. Concrete shall be placed in a manner to avoid segregation and
shall not be dropped freely more than five (5) feet. If segregation occurs, the Elbert
County Inspector/Representative may require the concrete to be removed and
replaced at the Contractor's expense.
831.01 Vibrating
placed against form linings shall be either tamped or vibrated. Care shall be taken
to vibrate only long enough to bring a continuous film of mortar to the surface.
Vibration shall stop before any segregation of the concrete occurs. Mechanical
vibrators shall be an approved type as specified in ACI 309, Chapter 5. Vibrators
shall not be used to move or spread the concrete.
831.02 Workability
The consistency of concrete shall be kept uniform and shall be checked by means
of certified slump tests. The workability of the concrete shall be varied as
directed by the Road & Bridge Superintendent / Elbert County Engineer. At all
times concrete shall have a consistency such that it can be worked into corners
and angles of the forms and around joints, dowels and tie-bars by the construction
methods which are being used without excessive spading, segregation or undue
accumulation of water or laitance on the surface. If, concrete fails to conform to
the proportions of the approved mix design for any reason, such concrete shall not
be incorporated in the work but shall be discarded from the project site as waste
material at the Contractor's expense. NO WATER MAY BE ADDED AT THE
JOB SITE WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE ROAD & BRIDGE
SUPERINTENDENT / ELBERT COUNTY ENGINEER. If approval is
obtained and water is added at the job site, slump tests shall be performed and test
cylinders cast at the Contractors expense.
Special concrete mix with integral color shall be placed and screeded to the
proper grade, and floated to a uniform surface in the normal manner for slabs on
grade. Color hardener shall be applied evenly to the plastic surface by the dry
shake method using a minimum of sixty (60) pounds per one hundred (100)
square feet. Color hardener shall be applied in two (2) or more shakes, floated
after each, and troweled only after the final floating.
While the concrete is still plastic, the imprinting tools shall be applied to make the
desired patterned surface. The pattern shall be matched at imprint edges and
joints.
Color curing compound, thinned in the proportion of one (1) part curing
compound to one (1) part mineral spirits (paint thinner), shall be applied
uniformly with a roller or sprayer. The coverage shall be approximately six
hundred (600) to six hundred fifty (650) square feet per gallon of unthinned
curing compound. At times when the air temperature is at or near freezing, the
slab shall be cured using suitable curing blankets. The slab shall later be sealed
with the color curing compound when the air temperature is above freezing.
The subgrade shall conform to the specified cross section. Immediately prior to
placing concrete, the subgrade shall be tested for adequate compaction and moisture to
a minimum depth of six (6) inches or as specified in the approved Geotechnical
Report. Concrete shall not be placed on any portion of the subgrade that has not been
Curb, curb ramps, gutter, sidewalk, cross pan, and driveway construction shall
conform to all applicable provisions of these CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS &
SPECIFICATIONS.
In those instances where deemed necessary by the project Soils Engineer and
approved by the Road & Bridge Superintendent / Elbert County Engineer,
Portland cement treated base may be required.
832.03 Sidewalks
Detached sidewalks shall be a minimum of four (4) inches thick and attached
sidewalks shall be a minimum of six (6) inches thick, and shall be constructed as
shown on the approved plans. Areas of sidewalk crossed by driveways or in
parks, open spaces or greenbelts shall be constructed with a minimum of six (6)
inch thick concrete.
Crosspans and curb return fillets shall be constructed twelve (12) inches thick or
eight (8) inches thick one-half () inch (#4) reinforcing steel bars placed at
eighteen (18) inch centers (each way) in residential, commercial and industrial
areas. Typical crosspan sections are shown in the Detail Drawings. Where
unusual conditions exist, additional reinforcing steel and special joints may be
required by the Road & Bridge Superintendent / Elbert County Engineer.
Curb cuts in six (6) inch vertical curbs shall be constructed at all driveway
locations and at additional locations, as shown on the approved plans and in the
Detail Drawings.
Curb ramps shall be installed at locations designated by the County Engineer and
as shown on the approved plans. Curb ramps shall be constructed with slopes,
landings, and detectable warnings (truncated domes) as shown in the Detail
Drawings. Specific installation details shall be per the manufacturer.
832.07 Joints
All joints shall be constructed straight and plumb and shall extend through the
entire section from edge to back and to the depths specified.
The curb and gutter or sidewalk shall be divided into blocks not less than
five (5) feet or more than ten (10) feet long using metal templates not less
than one-sixteenth (1/16) inch or more than one-quarter () inch thick.
Templates shall be a minimum of four (4) inches deep. Templates shall be
designed to attach securely to the forms in such a manner as to prevent
movement while the concrete is being placed and consolidated. Templates
shall be removed prior to the concrete taking its initial set.
A. Not more than ten (10) feet or less than five (5) feet apart in curb
and gutter, sidewalk, and combination curb-walk
B. Joints in both directions, equally spaced at not greater than ten (10)
foot intervals, as applicable in driveways
C. As directed by the Road & Bridge Superintendent / Elbert County
Engineer
832.08 Ponding
Ponding of water in concrete pavement and flatwork shall not exceed one-eighth
() inch in depth. Where ponding exceeds one-eighth () inch in depth,
pavement or flatwork shall be removed and replaced at the Contractors expense.
833.01 Forms
833.04 Curing
Curing shall comply with Section 838.00 Finishing, Curing and Protection of
these CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS & SPECIFICATIONS.
834.00 Cleanup
The exposed surfaces of concrete shall be thoroughly cleaned upon completion of the
work.
When forms are removed and the concrete has gained sufficient strength, the space
adjoining the concrete shall be promptly backfilled with suitable material, properly
compacted, and brought flush with the surface of the concrete and adjoining ground
surface. In embankments, the backfill shall be level with the top of the concrete for at
least two (2) feet and then sloped as shown on the approved plans or as directed by the
Road & Bridge Superintendent / Elbert County Engineer.
It shall be the responsibility of the Contractor to protect all concrete work against
damage or vandalism. When required, a guard shall be stationed over fresh work until
the concrete is sufficiently set to prevent damage at the Contractors expense.
Concrete damaged in any way by vandals shall be removed and replaced at the
Contractor's expense.
Anti-graffiti materials shall be installed as shown on the approved plans or as required
by the Road & Bridge Superintendent / Elbert County Engineer. Prior to installation,
technical information regarding proposed anti-graffiti materials shall be submitted to
the Road & Bridge Superintendent / Elbert County Engineer for approval.
837.00 Repairs
After stripping concrete forms, any concrete found to be inconsistent with the
approved plans, is out of alignment, not level, or showing a defective surface shall be
removed and replaced at the Contractors expense as directed by the Road & Bridge
Superintendent / Elbert County Engineer. The Road & Bridge Superintendent / Elbert
County Engineer may give written permission to patch the defective area. Ridges and
bulges may be removed by grinding if approved by the Road & Bridge Superintendent
/ Elbert County Engineer. Honeycombed and other defective concrete that does not
affect the integrity of the structure may be chipped out and the vacated areas filled if
approved by the Road & Bridge Superintendent / Elbert County Engineer.
The repaired area shall be patched with a non-shrink, non-metallic grout with a
minimum compressive strength of five thousand (5,000) psi in twenty-eight (28) days.
All repair areas treated with an epoxy-bonding agent shall have the approval of the
Road & Bridge Superintendent / Elbert County Engineer before the repair filling is
placed.
All edges of the existing flatwork to remain shall be saw cut. Flatwork repairs
and replacement shall be as directed by the Road & Bridge Superintendent /
Elbert County Engineer and at the Contractors expense
Bolt-holes, tie-rod holes, and minor imperfections as approved by the Road &
Bridge Superintendent / Elbert County Engineer, shall be filled with dry-patching
mortar composed of approximately one (1) part Portland cement to two (2) parts
of regular concrete sand (volume measurement) and only enough water so that
after the ingredients are mixed thoroughly, the mortar sticks together when
molded. Mortar repairs shall be placed in layers and thoroughly compacted by
suitable tools. Care shall be taken in filling rod and bolt holes so that the entire
depth of the hole is completely filled with compacted mortar.
838.01 Finishing
The Contractor shall use at all times, a ten (10) foot straightedge for finishing
curb and gutter sections. Irregularities shall be corrected by adding or removing
concrete. All disturbed places shall be floated with a wooden or metal float that is
not less than three (3) feet long and not less than six (6) inches wide, and
screeded. No water or cement shall be added to the surface of the concrete to aid
in finishing. Edges of the concrete and joints shall be carefully finished with an
edger having a one-eighth inch () inch radius prior to the concrete reaching
initial set. Concrete shall be finally finished with a wood float and lightly
broomed to a slightly roughened surface. On grades less than one (1) percent, the
Contractor shall check for depressions before final finish so that no ponding
exists.
Exposed faces of curbs and sidewalks shall be finished to the line and grade
shown on the plans. Surface shall be floated to a smooth but not slippery finish.
Sidewalk and curb shall be broomed or combed and edged, unless otherwise
indicated by the Road & Bridge Superintendent / Elbert County Engineer. After
completion of brooming and before concrete has initial set, all edges in contact
with the forms shall be tooled with an edger having a three-eighths () inch
radius.
Immediately following the removal of forms, all fins and irregular projections
shall be removed from all surfaces except from those which are not to be exposed
or are not to be waterproofed. On all surfaces, the cavities produced by form ties,
honeycomb spots, broken corners or edges, and other defects, shall be thoroughly
cleaned, moistened with water and carefully pointed and trued with a mortar
consisting of cement and fine aggregate. The surface shall be left sound, smooth,
even, and uniform in color. Mortar used in pointing shall not be more than thirty
(30) minutes old. All construction and expansion joints in the completed work
shall be left carefully tooled and free of all mortar and concrete. The joint filler
shall be left exposed for its full length with clean and true edges.
Membrane curing compound shall not be used when the concrete surface shall be
painted. The membrane curing compound shall not permanently discolor the
concrete surface. Where membrane curing compound is not used, the curing
process shall be as follows: