Concrete Mix Design:-
Concrete is a composite mixture which consists of Cement, Sand and
Aggregate. Concrete mix design is the procedure for finding the right quantities
of these materials to achieve the desired strength. Accurate concrete mix design
makes concrete construction economical. Large constructions such as Bridges,
dams requires huge amount of concrete, using the right quantity of constituents
make the structure economical. In order to calculate or find the right amount of
cement, sand and aggregate required in 1m3 of concrete; you need to know
about different grades of concrete.
As per IS456:2000, Different grades of concrete are classified into M5, M7.5,
M10, M15 etc., whereas M stands for Mix and the number behind M stands
for Characteristic Compressive strength(fck) of the concrete in N/mm2 @28
days when checked with 15cm×15cm×15cm cube in direct compression test.
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Concrete Mix design of M5, M7.5, M10, M15, M20, M25, M30 and higher
grades of concrete is calculated as below:
The procedure for finding the different grades of concrete mixes are same. The
below mentioned method can be applied to any grade of concrete by changing
the values. To make ease in understanding we are finding the Concrete mix
design of M20 grade concrete.
The Concrete mix ratio for M20 grade of concrete is 1:1.5:3 that mean 1 part of
cement, 1.5 part of sand (fine aggregate) and 3 parts of aggregate (crushed
stone) in volume and then batched for mixing. To know the Concrete Mix
Design follow below:-
Mix Design (M) = Cement: Sand :Aggregate
As per BS 8500-2 British/European standards The grade of concrete is denoted
as C10, C15, C20,C25, etc., ‘C’ which means ‘Concrete Strength class’ and
number behind C refers to characteristic Compressive strength of Concrete in
N/mm2 @ 28 days when tested with the 15cm dia & 30cm
height cylinder in direct compression test
The grade of concrete is also denoted as C16/20, C20/25, C25/30, etc., which
means Concrete Strength Class (C) the number behind C refers to
Compressive strength of Concrete in N/mm2 when tested with Cylinder / Cube.
Remember : 1MPA = N/mm2
Different grades of concrete :
Different grades of concrete has different Concrete Mix proportions which
means different concrete mix ratios. As Per IS456:2000, the Concrete mix
design has the following concrete mix proportions :-
Characteristic
Compressive strength of
Type of Concrete Concrete Grade Mix Ratio
Concrete
@28Days in N/mm2
Ordinary concrete M5 1:5:10 5 N/mm2
M7.5 1:4:8 7.5 N/mm2
M10 1:3:6 10 N/mm2
M15 1:2:4 15 N/mm2
M20 1:1.5:3 20 N/mm2
Standard Concrete M25 1:1:2 25 N/mm2
M30 Design Mix 30 N/mm2
M35 Design Mix 35 N/mm2
Characteristic
Compressive strength of
Type of Concrete Concrete Grade Mix Ratio
Concrete
@28Days in N/mm2
M40 Design Mix 40 N/mm2
M45 Design Mix 45 N/mm2
M50 Design Mix 50 N/mm2
High Strength M55 Design Mix 55 N/mm2
Concrete
M60 Design Mix 60 N/mm2
M65 Design Mix 65 N/mm2
M70 Design Mix 70 N/mm2
Different types of Concrete mixes:
Concrete Mixes are primarily divided into the two different types :
Nominal Mix:
Nominal Mix is generally adopted for small scale constructions. In this type of
mix, the mix ratios and concrete constituent proportions are prefixed and
specified. Eg: M20(1:1.5:3); the quantity of cement, sand and aggregate is
batched in volume as per the fixed ratio 1:1.5:3. From the above table till M25
grade, the concrete proportions are called as Nominal mix concrete.
Design Mix:
Design mix concrete is adopted for high rise constructions. In this type of mix,
the mix ratios are decided by an Engineer after analysing the properties of
individual ingredients of concrete. Like, cement is tested for Fineness
modulus and Specific gravity of cement in the lab while deciding the Design
mix ratio. There is No Pre-fixed ratio, and ingredients are are batched in weight.
From the above table, concrete grades more than M25 falls in Design mix.
In Simple, Design Mix refers to the ratios which are decided by the designer.
Calculation of Quantities of Cement, Sand and Aggregate in
1m3 of concrete:-
To calculate the individual quantities of cement, sand and aggregate required for
1m3 assume a nominal mix grade of concrete such as M20. You can use same
method to calculate any grade of concrete.
Concrete Mix Design for M20 Grade Concrete:-
Now let us consider M20 grade concrete;
As per IS456:2000, M20 Grade concrete proportion is = 1 : 1.5 : 3
We have to add all the volume to know the total volume = 1 + 1.5 + 3 = 5.5
As we know that during concreting when we place wet concrete, it gets harden
after certain standard time. Considering the same it had be decided upon by
Civil design Engineers to take a factor of safety ranging from 1.54 to 1.57 to
counter that shrinkage.
i.e volume of dry Concrete = 1.54 to 1.57 times Volume of wet concrete
I am Assuming 1.57 as factor of safety
So total volume of concrete required is 1.57 m3
Calculation of Volume of Cement in 1m3 of Concrete:-
To calculate the Quantity of Cement in Concrete the following formula is used.
Volume of Cement
Cement
= ⁄Cement+Sand+Aggregate x 1.57
For 1m3 of Concrete = 403.2Kgs of Cement is required.
No. of Cement Bags required for 1m3 of Concrete = 403/50 = 8.06 ~ 8 bags
Hence we require 8 bags of cement for 1m3 of concrete.
Also Read:
Detailed explanation for No. of bags required for 1 cum of cement
Calculation of Volume of Sand (Fine Aggregate) in 1m3 of
Concrete:-
The following steps are followed to find the quantity of sand in 1m3 of
concrete.
Volume of Sand
= Sand
⁄Cement+Sand+Aggregate x 1.57
Sand usually consists of moisture content. It increases the volume of sand
(bulking of sand).
For accurate calculation use dry sand or include the effect of bulking as
mentioned above in calculation.
Hence we require 672kg of sand for 1 cu.m of concrete.
Calculation of Volume of Coarse Aggregate in 1m3 of Concrete:-
The following formula is used to find the quantity of coarse aggregate in
1m3 of concrete.
Volume of Aggregate
= Aggregate
⁄Cement+Sand+Aggregate x 1.57
Density of aggregate may go higher if void spaces decreases. 5mm aggregate has more
density when compared with 20mm size of aggregate
Hence We require 1326Kg of 20mm aggregate for 1m3 of Concrete.
Amount of Water Required for 1m3 of Concrete:-
For making concrete, required amount of water is added. Water quantity is
depends upon the climatic factors and workability required. We generally
maintain 0.35-0.50 of water cement ratio. Remember, above values may
change according to the moisture content present in sand and aggregate.
Cement Required for 1m3 of Concrete = 400Kgs
Assume W/C ratio = 0.50 (50% of cement)
Water required for 1m3 of Concrete. = 400 x 0.50
Amount of Water Required for 1m3 of Concrete = 200kgs = 200 litres
Hence 200 Litres of Water is required for 1m3 of M20 Concrete
Summary: –
8 bags of cement required for 1 cu.m of M20 grade concrete.
672 kg of Sand required for 1 cu.m of M20 grade concrete.
1326 kg of 20mm Aggregate is required for 1 cu.m of M20 grade
concrete.
200 litres of water is required for 1 cu.m of M20 grade concrete
