CIVL 1112 ACI Mix Design 1/9

ACI Mix Design ACI Mix Design

The most common method used in North America is Water/cement ratio (w/c ratio) theory states
that established by ACI Recommended Practice 211.1 that for a given combination of materials and as
Any mix design procedure will provide a first long as workable consistency is obtained, the
approximation of the proportions and must be checked strength of concrete at a given age depends on the
by trial batches w/c ratio

Local characteristics in materials should be considered The lower the w/c ratio, the higher the
concrete strength.
The following sequence of steps should be followed: Whereas strength depends on the w/c ratio, economy
(1)determine the job parameters - aggregate properties, depends on the percentage of aggregate present that
maximum aggregate size, slump, w/c ratio, admixtures, would still give a workable mix.
(2) calculation of batch weight, and
The aim of the designer should always be to get
(3) adjustments to batch weights based on trial mix . concrete mixtures of optimum strength at minimum
cement content and acceptable workability.

ACI Mix Design ACI Mix Design

Air-Entrained Concrete
One of the greatest advances in concrete technology
was the development of air-entrained concrete in the
late 1930s.
Today, air entrainment is recommended for nearly
all concretes, principally to improve resistance to
freezing when exposed to water and deicing chemicals.
Air-entrained concrete contains billions of microscopic
air cells
These relieve internal pressure
on the concrete by providing tiny
chambers for the expansion of
water when it freezes.

ACI Mix Design ACI Mix Design

Once the w/c ratio is established and the The flowchart is a

workability or consistency needed for the specific representation of the principal
properties of “good” concrete
design is chosen, the rest should be simple
cement
manipulation with diagrams and tables based on large
numbers of trial mixes. w/c ratio
aggregate
cement paste and aggregate
Such diagrams and tables allow an estimate of the
mixing
required mix proportions for various conditions and
placement and handling
permit predetermination on small unrepresentative
of fresh concrete
batches.
curing
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ACI Mix Design ACI Mix Design

Basic Considerations Basic Considerations
Economy -- The material costs are most important Workability -- A good mix design must be capable of
in determining the relative costs of different mixes. being placed and compacted, with minimal bleeding and
The labor and equipment costs, except for segregation, and be finishable.
special concretes, are generally independent for
the mix design. Water requirements depend on the aggregate
Since cement is more expensive than aggregate, it rather than the cement characteristics.
is clear that cement content should be minimized.
Workability should be improved by redesigning the
This can be accomplished by mortar faction rather than simply adding more water.
(1) using the lowest slump that will permit handling,
(2) using a good ratio of coarse to fine aggregate, and
(3) possible use of admixtures.

ACI Mix Design ACI Mix Design

Basic Considerations
Strength and Durability -- In general, the minimum A measure of the degree of consistency and extent
compressive strength and a range of w/c ratios are of workability is the slump.
specified for a given concrete mix.
In the slump test the plastic concrete specimen
Possible requirements for resistance to freeze- is formed into a conical metal mold as described in
thaw and chemical attack must be considered. ASTM Standard C-143.

Therefore, a balance or compromise must be The mold is lifted, leaving the concrete to
made between strength and workability. "slump," that is, to spread or drop in height.

ACI Mix Design ACI Mix Design

Process of measuring the slump of fresh concrete Process of measuring the slump of fresh concrete
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ACI Mix Design

ACI Mix Design
Here are some examples of different measures of
slump:
This drop in height is the slump measure of
the degree of workability of the mix.

ACI Mix Design ACI Mix Design

Mix Design Procedures
The flowchart is a representation
of the principal properties of ACI
mix design of concrete 1. Required material information -- sieve analyses of
workability – slump both fine and coarse aggregates, unit weight, specific
water and air content gravities, and absorption capacities of aggregates.
w/c ratio
cement 2. Choice of slump -- Generally specified for a particular
coarse aggregate job. However, if not given, an appropriate value may be
fine aggregate
chosen from Table 1. As a general rule, the lowest
slump that will permit adequate placement should be
moisture
adjustment selected.
trial mix

ACI Mix Design ACI Mix Design

Mix Design Procedures
Table 1. Recommended Slumps for Various Types of Construction

3. Maximum aggregate size -- The largest maximum

aggregate size that will conform to the following
limitations:
Maximum size should not be larger than 1/5 the minimum
dimension of structural members, 1/3 the thickness of a slab,
or 3/4 the clearance between reinforcing rods and forms.
These restrictions limit maximum aggregate size to 1.5 inches,
except in mass applications.

Current thought suggests that a reduced maximum aggregate

size for a given w/c ratio can achieve higher strengths. Also,
in many areas, the largest available sizes are 3/4 in. to 1 in.
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ACI Mix Design ACI Mix Design

Mix Design Procedures Mix Design Procedures

4. Estimation of mixing water and air content -- An Approximate mixing water (lb/yd3) and air content for different
estimation of the amount of water required for air- slumps and nominal maximum sizes of aggregates
entrained and non-air-entrained concretes can be
Slump(in) 0.375 0.5 Maximum aggregate size (in) 2 3 6
obtained from Table 2.
0.75 1 1.5
1 to 2 350 335 315 300 275 260 220 190
One major disadvantage of concrete is its susceptibility to
3 to 4 385 365 340 325 300 285 245 210
damage by single or multiple freeze-thaw cycles.
6 to 7 410 385 360 340 315 300 270 -
Air Content
However, concrete can be made frost-resistant by using air- 3.0% 2.5% 2.0% 1.5% 1.0% 0.5% 0.3% 0.2%
entraining admixtures.
Concrete is routinely air-entrained in the Northern U.S. and Non-Air-Entrained Concrete
Canada.

ACI Mix Design

ACI Mix Design
Mix Design Procedures
Mix Design Procedures
Approximate mixing water (lb/yd3) and air content for different
slumps and nominal maximum sizes of aggregates

Slump(in) 0.375 0.5 Maximum aggregate size (in) 2 3 6

0.75 1 1.5
1 to 2 305 295 280 270 250 240 225 180
3 to 4 340 325 305 295 275 265 250 200
6 to 7 365 345 325 310 290 280 270 -
Air Content
Mild 4.5% 4.0% 3.5% 3.0% 2.5% 2.0% 1.5% 1.0%
Moderate 6.0% 5.5% 5.0% 4.5% 4.5% 4.0% 3.5% 3.0%
Extreme 7.5% 7.0% 6.0% 6.0% 5.5% 5.0% 4.5% 4.0%

Air-Entrained Concrete

ACI Mix Design ACI Mix Design

Mix Design Procedures Mix Design Procedures
Relationship between water/cement ratio and compressive strength
5. Water/cement ratio - This component is governed by of concrete
strength and durability requirements
28-day Compressive Non-AE AE

Strength (psi)
(a) Strength -- Without strength vs. w/c ratio data for a
2,000 0.82 0.74
certain material, a conservative estimate can be made for
the accepted 28-day compressive strength from Table 3. 3,000 0.68 0.59
4,000 0.57 0.48
(b) Durability -- If there are severe exposure conditions, 5,000 0.48 0.40
such as freezing and thawing, exposure to seawater, or 6,000 0.41 0.32
sulfates, the w/c ratio requirements may have to be
adjusted. 7,000 0.33 ---
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ACI Mix Design ACI Mix Design

Mix Design Procedures Mix Design Procedures
6. Calculation of cement content -- Once the water
7. Estimation of coarse aggregate content - The percent
content and the w/c ratio is determined, the amount of
of coarse aggregate to concrete for a given maximum
cement per unit volume of the concrete is found by
size and fineness modulus is given by Table 4.
dividing the estimated water content by the w/c ratio.

weight of water The value from the table multiplied by the dry-rodded
weight of cement unit weight (the oven-dry (OD) weight of coarse
w /c aggregate required per cubic foot of concrete).

However, a minimum cement content is required to To convert from OD to saturated surface dry (SSD)
ensure good finishability, workability, and strength. weights, multiply by [1 + absorption capacity (AC)].

ACI Mix Design ACI Mix Design

Mix Design Procedures Mix Design Procedures

Volume of dry-rodded coarse aggregate per unit volume of concrete Volume of dry-rodded coarse aggregate per unit volume of concrete
for different coarse aggregates and fineness moduli of fine for different coarse aggregates and fineness moduli of fine
aggregates aggregates
Fineness Modulus
Max Aggregate (in) 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 3

0.375 0.50 0.49 0.48 0.47 0.46 0.45 0.44

0.500 0.59 0.58 0.57 0.56 0.55 0.54 0.53
0.750 0.66 0.65 0.64 0.63 0.62 0.61 0.60
1.000 0.71 0.70 0.69 0.68 0.67 0.66 0.65
1.500 0.75 0.74 0.73 0.72 0.71 0.70 0.69
2.000 0.78 0.77 0.76 0.75 0.74 0.73 0.72
3.000 0.82 0.81 0.80 0.79 0.78 0.77 0.76
6.000 0.87 0.86 0.85 0.84 0.83 0.82 0.81

ACI Mix Design ACI Mix Design

Mix Design Procedures Mix Design Procedures
8. Estimation of fine aggregate content -- There are two 9. Adjustment for moisture in the aggregate -- The
standard methods to establish the fine aggregate water content of the concrete will be affected by the
content, the mass method and the volume method. We moisture content of the aggregate.
will use the "volume" method.

"Volume" Method -- This method is the preferred method, as it

is a somewhat more exact procedure
The volume of fine aggregates is found by subtracting the
volume of cement, water, air, and coarse aggregate from the
total concrete volume.
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ACI Mix Design ACI Mix Design

Mix Design Procedures Mix Design Procedures

9. Adjustment for moisture in the aggregate -- The 9. Adjustment for moisture in the aggregate -- The
water content of the concrete will be affected by the water content of the concrete will be affected by the
moisture content of the aggregate. moisture content of the aggregate.

AC
SM Moisturecontent (MC ) AC SM

ACI Mix Design ACI Mix Design

Mix Design Procedures Mix Design Procedures
10. Trial batch -- Using the proportions developed in
the preceding steps, mix a trial batch of concrete 10. Trial batch
using only as much water as is needed to reach the
desired slump (but not exceeding the permissible The fresh concrete should be tested for slump, unit
w/c ratio). weight, yield, air content, and its tendencies to
segregate, bleed, and finishing characteristics. Also,
hardened samples should be tested for compressive and
flexural strength.

ACI Mix Design Example ACI Mix Design Example

Concrete is required for an exterior column located Step 1. Required material information (already given).
above ground where substantial freezing and thawing Step 2. Choice of slump. The slump is given, consistent
may occur. The 28-day compressive strength should be with Table 1.
5,000 lb/in2. The slump should be between 1 and 2 in. and
the maximum aggregate size should not exceed ¾ in.
The properties of the materials are as follows:
Cement : Type I, specific gravity = 3.15
Coarse Aggregate: Bulk specific gravity (SSD) = 2.70;
absorption capacity = 1%; dry-rodded unit weight = 100 lb/ft3;
surface moisture = 0%
Fine Aggregate: Bulk specific gravity (SSD) = 2.65; absorption
capacity = 1.3%; fineness modulus = 2.70; surface moisture = 3% Step 3. Maximum aggregate size. Given: ¾ inches
CIVL 1112 ACI Mix Design 7/9

ACI Mix Design Example ACI Mix Design Example

Step 4. Estimation of mixing water and air content.
Step 5. Water/cement ratio. From Table3, the
Since freezing and thawing is important, the concrete
estimate for required w/c ratio to give a 28-day
must be air-entrained. From Table 2, the recommended
strength of 5,000 lb/in2 is 0.4.
air content is 6%; the water requirement is 280 lb/yd3.

28-day Compressive Non-AE AE

Maximum aggregate size (in)
Slump(in) 0.375 0.5 0.75 1 1.5 2 3 6 Strength (psi)
1 to 2 305 295 280
280 270 250 240 225 180 2,000 0.82 0.74
3 to 4 340 325 305 295 275 265 250 200
3,000 0.68 0.59
6 to 7 365 345 325 310 290 280 270 -
Air Content 4,000 0.57 0.48
Mild 4.5% 4.0% 3.5% 3.0% 2.5% 2.0% 1.5% 1.0% 5,000 0.48 0.40
0.40
Moderate 6.0% 5.5% 5.0% 4.5% 4.5% 4.0% 3.5% 3.0%
6,000 0.41 0.32
Extreme 7.5% 7.0% 6.0%
6.0% 6.0% 5.5% 5.0% 4.5% 4.0%
7,000 0.33 ---

ACI Mix Design Example ACI Mix Design Example

Step 6. Calculation of cement content. Based on steps 4 Step 7. Estimation of coarse aggregate content.
and 5, the required cement content is: Interpolating Table 4 for the fineness modulus of the
fine aggregate of 2.70

280 lb yd 3 Fineness Modulus

weight of cement 700 lb yd Max Aggregate (in) 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 3
0.4
3
0.375 0.50 0.49 0.48 0.47 0.46 0.45 0.44
0.500 0.59 0.58 0.57 0.56 0.55 0.54 0.53
0.750 0.66 0.65 0.64 0.63
0.63 0.62 0.61 0.60

1.000 0.71 0.70 0.69 0.68 0.67 0.66 0.65

1.500 0.75 0.74 0.73 0.72 0.71 0.70 0.69
2.000 0.78 0.77 0.76 0.75 0.74 0.73 0.72
3.000 0.82 0.81 0.80 0.79 0.78 0.77 0.76
6.000 0.87 0.86 0.85 0.84 0.83 0.82 0.81

ACI Mix Design Example ACI Mix Design Example

The coarse aggregate will occupy:
Step 8. Estimation of fine aggregate content by the
0.63 27ft 17.01 ft
3 3
absolute volume method.
yd 3 yd 3
Temperature, °F Density, lb/ft3
Value from
Table 4 60 62.368

The OD weight of the coarse aggregate 65 62.337

17.01ft 1,701 lb
70 62.302
100 lb
3

yd 3 ft 3 yd 3 75 62.261

80 62.216
Dry-Rodded
Unit Weight 85 62.166
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ACI Mix Design Example ACI Mix Design Example

Step 8. Estimation of fine aggregate content by the Therefore, the fine aggregate must occupy a volume of:
absolute volume method.
Water: 280 lb/62.4 lb/ft3 = 4.49 ft3 27 ft 3 19.77 ft 3 7.23 ft 3
Cement: 700 lb/(3.15 x 62.4 lb/ft3) = 3.56 ft3

The OD weight of the fine aggregate

Coarse Aggregate: 1,701 lb/(2.70 x 62.4 lb/ft3) = 10.10 ft3
is:
7.23 ft 3 2.65 62.4lb 1,196 lb
Air: 6% x 27ft3/yd3 = 1.62 ft3
ft 3
Total 19.77 ft3 Specific Gravity
of Fine Aggregate Unit Weight
of Water

ACI Mix Design Example ACI Mix Design Example

Step 9. Adjustment for moisture in the aggregate. Step 9. Adjustment for moisture in the aggregate.

Since the moisture level of the fine aggregate in our The weight of aggregate from the stock pile is:
storage bins can vary, we will apply a simple rule to adjust
the water required. WeightStock Pile WeightOD 1 MC
The change in the weight water due to the moisture of
Decrease the amount of water required by surface the aggregate from the stock pile is:
moisture content of the weight of the fine aggregate
WeightWater WeightOD SM
Increase the amount of aggregate by the amount equal to
the surface moisture
Adjusted WeightWater WeightWater WeightWater

ACI Mix Design Example ACI Mix Design Example

Step 9. Compute stockpile weight based on Step 9. Adjust the amount of water based on
moisture content moisture content

Fine aggregate required from the stockpile is: The required mixing water required is:
280 lb - 1196 lb (0.043 – 0.013) fine aggregate
1,196 lb (1 + 0.043) = 1,247.4 lb/yd3 or 1,247 lb/yd3

Moisture Content 4.3% Moisture Content 1% Moisture Content 4.3% Absorption Capacity 1.3%

Coarse aggregate required from the stockpile is: - 1,718 lb (0.01 – 0.01) coarse aggregate

1,701 lb (1 + 0.01) = 1,718 lb/yd3 = 244.1 lb/yd3 or 244 lb/yd3

CIVL 1112 ACI Mix Design 9/9

ACI Mix Design Example ACI Mix Design

Information for concrete mixtures
Thus the estimated batch weights per yd3 are: using particular ingredients can be
plotted to illustrate the relationship
between ingredients and properties:
Water = 244 lb Slump
Cement = 700 lb Aggregate Size
Coarse aggregate = 1,718 lb w/c
Fine aggregate (wet) = 1,247 lb Cement content

= 3,909 lb/yd3
Total = 144.8 lb/ft3

End of ACI Mix Design

Questions?