Mix Design Method: ACI Concrete Mix Design & British Method

Mix Design Mix Design is the process of selecting the suitable ingredients of concrete and determining their relative quantities with the object of producing, as economically as possible, concrete of special minimum properties notably consistence, strength & durability. What engineers do is they ensure the proper design by selecting the ratio.

Purposes Of Mix Design Approximate design To find the cost To check the submitted design Preparing trial mixes Safe design for instant use. To achieve exact design for safety & economy For single-single specifications For multiple specification To achieve quality requirements Comparison of performance of materials or mixes.

Methods That Fullfill The Purposes Of Mix Design Laboratory trial mix Full-scale trial mix Previous PRODUCTION DATA bank Ready to usestandard data Simplified methods of design Comprehensive methods of design

Basic Factors of Mix Design Weight of Ingredient Per Batch Mix Proportions Capacity of mix Overall Grading W/C ratio Aggregate - Cement ratio Required workability Durability Quality control Mean strength Minimum strength of concrete Max aggregate size Aggregate shape and texture Compaction method Type of cement Age at which strength is required Size of section & spacing of reinforcement Liability to chemical action

Mix Design Ratio Real ratios: On the basis of dry material ( by weight ) Field ratio: Modified real ratio to be in field condition Nominal: Ratio expressed to distinguish between different types of works as 1:1.5:3, 1:3:6, 1:2:4 ( cement: FA: CA )

Variable factors: w/c ratio cement concrete, aggregate, cement ratio Consistency Gradation of aggregate

Aspects of Mix Design Workability Strength Durability Cohesion Plastic strength Mix proportions Batch quantities Air content Special properties like surface finish

Importance of Mix Design Mix design is important in various ways. Structural concrete must resist external forces & internal stresses due to various types of loads. So concrete must posses certain minimum property such as strength, consistency, durability etc. For this reason some suitable materials should be selected & their relative quantities should be determined. Again concrete should be maid in the most economic process. Mix design provides all the requirements & so it is very important.

Methods of Mix Design 1. Old method Fineness modulus method Minimum voids method Trial mixes Arbitrary method

2. New method British method ACI method

Difference between ACI Mix Design and British Mix Design Method

BRITISH METHOD ACI METHOD SSD condition is used OD condition is used No adjustment of aggregate mixture is required Adjustment is required Based on strength & durability Based on balance between economy & requirements for strength, place ability, density, etc Volume based calculation cant be done. Only weight based calculation is possible. Both volume & weight based calculation can be done In mixing ingredients air content isnt considered Air content is considered Its used for producing only non-air entraining concrete It is used for producing both air entraining & non-air entraining Difference Between ACI Mix Design Method & British Mix Design Method Background Data For ACI Mix Design

To perform ACI Mix Design some background data is required.

Sieve analysis of fine & coarse aggregate ( FA CA ) Unit weight of CA Bulk specific gravity

Absorption of gravity Sp. Gravity of OPC & other cementitious materials Mixing water requirement for concrete Relationship between strength and W/C ratio Blending of the aggregate

Mix Design Quality Control

The process of taking measures for minimizing the deflection in the resultant product of a construction material is termed as Quality Control.

Factors Affecting Mix Design Quality Control

The factors that affects the quality of the mix are given below.

Change in the cement strength Change in the aggregate grading Insufficient batching & placing Occasional curing Poor compaction Deflection in testing Alteration in moisture content Requirement For Good Quality Control

Knowledge of variability Knowledge of factors of variability Knowledge of standard testing procedure Knowledge of statistical significance of result

Fresh Concrete

Fresh Concrete Properties:

Aggregation Consistency Bleeding Workability

Aggregation: Aggregation refers to the separation of components of fresh concrete which converts to non-uniform mix. In general it means the segregation of coarse aggregate from mortar.

Causes:

Poor proportional mixture. Coarse aggregate with high specific gravity Change of particle shape away from smooth and rounded to odd Too wet or too dry mixer

If we drop the concrete from heights If the design of the mixer isnt good

Remedy:

The proportion of the mixed is to be maintained properly. Transporting, placing, compacting & finishing should be done carefully If segregation is found remix the concrete By using air-entraining admixtures

Consistency:

Consistency is a general term which is used for indicating degree of fluidity or mobility or wetness. Wet concrete is much more workable to the dry one. But concretes of same consistency may differ in workability.

Bleeding: Bleeding of concrete may cause damage to the mix prepared. Bleeding should be kept under control.

Workability: It is the amount of work required to place or to compact the concrete completely. The concrete that satisfies those conditions are termed as workable concrete.