ology and Codes

Example ExampleMixture Proportioning

Concrete Techno
Conditions & Specifications:

• Concrete pavement• 8-in thick• Exposed to moisture and deicer salts in 

severe freeze

-thaw environment

Example 1 (Inch Example 1 (Inch-Pound)

severe freeze

-thaw environment

• Specified strength of 3500 psi at 28 days• Slump of 3 in. 1 in.• No statistical data available
Coarse Aggregate:

• Well-graded gravel with some crushed 

particles

• 1-in. nominal maximum size• S G = 2 68 (SSD)

Example 1

S.G. = 2.68 (SSD)

• Dry-rodded bulk density = 2700 lb/yd3

(100 lb/ft3)

• Absorption, abs = 0.5%• Moisture content, mc = 2.0%
Fine Aggregate (Sand):

• Natural sand• S.G. = 2.64 (SSD)• Fineness modulus, FM = 2.70

Ab ti

b 0 9%

Example 1

• Absorption, 

a

b

s = 

0.9%

• Moisture content, mc = 3.5%
Admixtures:

• Water-reducer

• 7% water reduction at 5.5 fl oz per 

100 lb of cement

• S.G. ~ 1.0

Example 1

• Air-entraining admixture

• Manufacturer recommends 1.0 fl oz 

per 100 lb of cement for 6% air

• S.G. ~ 1.0
1. Strength

2. W/CM

3. Stone

4. Air

From this information a trial mixture is proportioned to meet the conditions and specification

5. Slump

6. Water

7. Cement

8. Type 9. Admix. 10. Sand 11. Moisture 

the conditions and specification
1. Strength

2. W/CM

3. Stone

4. Air

1. Determine Strength Requiremen

Specified strength for design:

Given:

Exposure:

3500 psiSevere/deSevere/de

5. Slump

6. Water

7. Cement

8. Type 9. Admix. 10. Sand 11. Moisture 

Statistical data available: s = none
1. Strength

2. W/CM

3. Stone

4. Air

Specified strength for design = 3500 psi

But, requirements of ACI 318 Building Code (Ta

Category Severity Class Max w/cm Min. 

Not 

Applicable FO N/A 2,

Moderate F1 0.45 4,

Severe F2 0.45 4,

Very Servere F3 0.45 4,

Water-soluble sulfate 

(SO4) in soil 

(percent by weight)

Dissolved sulfate 

(SO4) in water 

(ppm)

Not SO SO4 < 0 10 SO4 < 150 N/A 2 

F 

(Freezing 

and 

Thawing)

Condition

Concrete not exposed to freezing-and-thawing cyclesConcrete exposed to freezing-and-thawing cycles and occasional exposure to moistureConcrete exposed to freezing-and-thawing cycles and in continuous contact with moistureConcrete exposed to freezing-andthawing and in continuous contact with moisture and exposed 

to deicing chemicals 

5. Slump

6. Water

7. Cement

8. Type 9. Admix. 10. Sand 11. Moisture 

Applicable SO SO4 < 0.10 SO4 < 150 N/A 2,

Moderate S1 0.10 ≤ SO4 < 0.20 150 ≤ SO4 <1500 Seawater 0.50 4,

Severe S2 0.20 ≤ SO4 ≤ 2.00 1500 ≤ SO4 ≤ 10,000 0.45 4,

Very Servere S3 SO4 > 2.00 SO4 > 10,000 0.45 4,

Not 

Applicable CO N/A 2,

Moderate C1 N/A 2,

Severe C2 0.40 5,

Summary of Most Restrictive Requirements

Concrete exposed to moisture and an external source of chlorides from deicing chemicals, salt, brackish water, seawater, or spray from these sources

S 

(Sulfate)

C 

(Corrosion 

Protection)

Concrete dry or protected from moistureConcrete exposed to moisture but not to external sources of chlorides

*

0.40* 500

*PCA 
1. Strength

2. W/CM

3. Stone

4. Air

∴ fc’ = 4500 psi

Since less than 15 consecutive tests are availa

(Table Page 2)

Specified Strength

fc’ (psi)

Required Average Streng

fcr’ (psi)

Less than 3000 fc’ + 1000

5. Slump

6. Water

7. Cement

8. Type 9. Admix. 10. Sand 11. Moisture 

3000 to 5000 fc’ + 1200

Over 5000 1.10fc’ + 700

fcr’ = 4500 + 1200 = 5700 psi
1. Strength

2. W/CM

3. Stone

4. Air

W/C is determined from:

•Required strength fcr’:

•Durability considerations:

Given:

2. Determine the Water-Cement Ratio R

5700 psi

Severe/de

5. Slump

6. Water

7. Cement

8. Type 9. Admix. 10. Sand 11. Moisture 
1. Strength

2. W/CM

3. Stone

4. Air

W/CM required for strength (Table Pag

Required design 

strength 

fcr’ (psi)

W/CM

Non-Air Entrained Ai

7000 0.33 6000 0.41 5000 0.48 

4000 0 57 

5700 

5. Slump

6. Water

7. Cement

8. Type 9. Admix. 10. Sand 11. Moisture 

4000 0.57 3000 0.68 2000 0.82 

W/CM = 0.34 
1. Strength

2. W/CM

3. Stone

4. Air

W/CM required for Durability

Requirements of ACI 318 Building Code (T

Category Severity Class Max w/cm Min. 

Not 

Applicable FO N/A 2,

Moderate F1 0.45 4,

Severe F2 0.45 4,

Very Servere F3 0.45 4,

Water-soluble sulfate 

(SO4) in soil 

(percent by weight)

Dissolved sulfate 

(SO4) in water 

(ppm)

Not 

Applicable SO SO4 < 0.10 SO4 < 150 N/A 2,

Moderate S1 0.10 ≤ SO4 < 0.20 150 ≤ SO4 <1500 Seawater 0.50 4,

F 

(Freezing 

and 

Thawing)

S 

(Sulfate)

Condition

Concrete not exposed to freezing-and-thawing cyclesConcrete exposed to freezing-and-thawing cycles and occasional exposure to moistureConcrete exposed to freezing-and-thawing cycles and in continuous contact with moistureConcrete exposed to freezing-andthawing and in continuous contact with moisture and exposed 

to deicing chemicals

*

5. Slump

6. Water

7. Cement

8. Type 9. Admix. 10. Sand 11. Moisture 

∴critical W/CM = 0.34

Seawater

Severe S2 0.20 ≤ SO4 ≤ 2.00 1500 ≤ SO4 ≤ 10,000 0.45 4,

Very Servere S3 SO4 > 2.00 SO4 > 10,000 0.45 4,

Not 

Applicable CO N/A 2,

Moderate C1 N/A 2,

Severe C2 0.40 5,

Summary of Most Restrictive Requirements

Concrete exposed to moisture and an external source of chlorides from deicing chemicals, salt, brackish water, seawater, or spray from these sources

C 

(Corrosion 

Protection)

Concrete dry or protected from moistureConcrete exposed to moisture but not to external sources of chlorides

0.40* 500

*PCA 
1. Strength

2. W/CM

3. Stone

4. Air

Coarse AggregateGiven:

3. Determine Bulk Volume of Coarse Ag

•Max size (nominal):

•F.M.:

•Bulk Density:

1 in.2.72700 lb/yd3

5. Slump

6. Water

7. Cement

8. Type 9. Admix. 10. Sand 11. Moisture 

•Bulk Density:

•abs:

2700 lb/yd0.5%
1. Strength

2. W/CM

3. Stone

4. Air

Max. Sizemm (in.)

Bulk volume of dry-rodded coarse aggregate volume of concrete for different fineness modaggregate

2.40 2.60 2.80 

10 (3/8) 0.50 0.48 0.46 

12.5 (1⁄2) 0.59 0.57 0.55 

20 (3⁄4) 0.66 0.64 0.62 

Bulk Volume of Coarse Aggregate (Table Page 

2.70

5. Slump

6. Water

7. Cement

8. Type 9. Admix. 10. Sand 11. Moisture 

25 (1) 0.71 0.69 0.67 37.5 (11⁄2) 0.75 0.73 0.71 50 (2) 0.78 0.76 0.74 75 (3) 0.82 0.80 0.78 

150 (6) 0.87 0.85 0.83 

0.68
1. Strength

2. W/CM

3. Stone

4. Air

Mass of Coarse Aggregate

Oven dry mass = bulk volume x bulk density 

Oven dry mass =

M i SSD

0.68 x 2700 = 183

1836 1 005

5. Slump

6. Water

7. Cement

8. Type 9. Admix. 10. Sand 11. Moisture 

Mass in SSD =

Coarse Agg. Content (SSD) =

1836 x 1.005

1845 
1. Strength

2. W/CM

3. Stone

4. Air

Exposure: 

Given:

4. Determine Air Content

Severe/deicers Severe/deicers- F3

Max Agg: 1 in.

5. Slump

6. Water

7. Cement

8. Type 9. Admix. 10. Sand 11. Moisture 
ACI 318-08 Durability Requirements: 

(Table Page 5)

1. Strength

2. W/CM

3. Stone

4. Air

5. Slump

6. Water

7. Cement

8. Type 9. Admix. 10. Sand 11. Moisture 

Air required = 6.0% 1.5%
1. Strength

2. W/CM

3. Stone

4. Air

Slump: 

Given:

5. Determine Slump

specified at 3 in. 1 in.

5. Slump

6. Water

7. Cement

8. Type 9. Admix. 10. Sand 11. Moisture 
1. Strength

2. W/CM

3. Stone

4. Air

6. Water Content Water Content

Slump: 

Given:

Max Agg: 1 in.

3 in. + 1 in.

Agg. Shape: rounded gravel with some crushed particles

5. Slump

6. Water

7. Cement

8. Type 9. Admix. 10. Sand 11. Moisture 

gg p

Water Reducer:

some crushed particles

7% water reduction
1. Strength

2. W/CM

3. Stone

4. Air

Slump (in) Nominal Maximum Aggregate S

3/8 in. 1/2 in. 3/4 in. 1 in. 1-1/2 

in.

1 to 2 305 295 280 270 250 

Water requirements (lb/yd3) for air ) for air-entrained conc

entrained conc

(Table Page 6)

5. Slump

6. Water

7. Cement

8. Type 9. Admix. 10. Sand 11. Moisture 

3 to 4 340 325 305 295 275 

6 to 7 365 345 325 310 290 
1. Strength

2. W/CM

3. Stone

4. Air

260

Table 

Page 6

reduction for 

aggregate shape – 

reduction for 

Reduction for Aggregate Shape and Admixtu295 35 

rounded gravel with s

crushed particles

18 

Water Content

5. Slump

6. Water

7. Cement

8. Type 9. Admix. 10. Sand 11. Moisture 

260

water-reducer

Water content = 242 lb/yd3

18 

Water Content

7%
1. Strength

2. W/CM

3. Stone

4. Air

Cement content =

Water content

W/CM

242

7. Cement Content Cement Content

(Table Page 7)

5. Slump

6. Water

7. Cement

8. Type 9. Admix. 10. Sand 11. Moisture 

Cement content =

0.34

= 712

Cement content = 712 lb/yd3
1. Strength

2. W/CM

3. Stone

4. Air

No special requirements

Type I (ASTM C 150)

T GU (ASTM C 1157)

Use either

8. Cement Type Cement Type

(Table Page 1)

5. Slump

6. Water

7. Cement

8. Type 9. Admix. 10. Sand 11. Moisture 

Type GU (ASTM C 1157)

Note: if pozzolans or slag used ensure that proportions 

limits of ACI 318 Building Code for concrete exposed to 
1. Strength

2. W/CM

3. Stone

4. Air

Water-reducer dose =

= 39 fl oz/yd3

9. Admixtures

712 

5.5 fl oz / 100 lb x

5. Slump

6. Water

7. Cement

8. Type 9. Admix. 10. Sand 11. Moisture 

Air-entrainment dose =

= 7 fl oz/yd3

1.0 fl oz / 100 lb x 712 l
1. Strength

2. W/CM

3. Stone

4. Air

10. Fine Aggregate

Mass proportions (lb/yd3)

• Cement content: 

• Water content: 

C t tt

Already Determined:

712242

5. Slump

6. Water

7. Cement

8. Type 9. Admix. 10. Sand 11. Moisture 

• Coarse aggregate content: 

•Air content (% volume): 

1845 (6%
1. Strength

2. W/CM

3. Stone

4. Air

Cement 712

Mass

(lb/yd3)

Dens

(lb/y

Water 242

(62.4 x 3.15 x 27) = 530

(62.4 x 27) = 168

5. Slump

6. Water

7. Cement

8. Type 9. Admix. 10. Sand 11. Moisture 

Stone (SSD) 1845Air 6% by volume

Total =

(62.4 x 2.68 x 27) = 451
1. Strength

2. W/CM

3. Stone

4. Air

Cement 712 

712 5307

Mass

(lb/yd3)

Water 242 

242 1685

1845

Density

(lb/yd3)

1685

5307

5. Slump

6. Water

7. Cement

8. Type 9. Admix. 10. Sand 11. Moisture 

Stone (SSD) 1845 

1845 4515

Air 6% by volume

Total =

6

100

4515
1. Strength

2. W/CM

3. Stone

4. Air

Volume of sand = 1.000 –

Mass of sand = volume x density

0.747 0.253 

=

5. Slump

6. Water

7. Cement

8. Type 9. Admix. 10. Sand 11. Moisture 

Mass of sand =

Fine Agg. Content (SSD) =

0.253 x 4448 = 1125 lb 

1125 lb
Mixture Proportions

Cement 712 lb/yd

3

Water 242 lb/yd

3

Coarse Agg. (SSD) Coarse Agg. 1845 lb/yd

3 (SSD) 1845 lb/yd

Fine Agg. (SSD) 1125 lb/yd

3

WRA 39 fl oz/yd

3

AEA 7 fl oz/yd

3

Total mass 3924 lb/yd

3
1. Strength

2. W/CM

3. Stone

4. Air

abs

mc Mbatch MSSD ++ = ×11

Coarse Aggregate

Mbatch = 1845 x

1.0201.005 = 1873 lb/yd3

Moisture Corrections:

5. Slump

6. Water

7. Cement

8. Type 9. Admix. 10. Sand 11. Moisture 

Fine Aggregate

Mbatch = 1125 x

1.0351.009 = 1154 lb/yd3
1. Strength

2. W/CM

3. Stone

4. Air

Coarse Aggregate

Wcorr = 1845 x (0.005 – 0.020) 1.005 = - 28 lb

( )

abs

abs mc Wcorr MSSD +− = × 1

5. Slump

6. Water

7. Cement

8. Type 9. Admix. 10. Sand 11. Moisture 

Fine Aggregate

Wcorr = 1125 x (0.009 – 0.035) 1.009 = - 29 lb

Total water correction = 28 + 29 = - 
Mixture Proportions

CementWaterCoarse Agg (SSD) + 28

- 57

Moisture

Correction

712 lb/yd

3

242 lb/yd

3

Coarse Agg 1845 lb/yd

3

. (SSD)

Fine Agg. (SSD)WRAAEATotal mass

+ 28+ 29

1845 lb/yd1125 lb/yd

3

39 fl oz/yd

3

7 fl oz/yd

3

3924 lb/yd

3
1. Strength

2. W/CM

3. Stone

4. Air

CementWaterCoarse Agg.Fine Agg

712 lb/yd3185 lb/yd3

1873 lb/yd31154 lb/yd3

12. Trial BatchFor a 1 cubic foot (0.037 yd3) batch:

Q

f

x 0.037 =x 0.037 =x 0.037 =x 0.037 =

5. Slump

6. Water

7. Cement

8. Type 9. Admix. 10. Sand 11. Moisture 

Fine Agg.

WRAAEATotal mass

1154 lb/yd

3924 lb/yd3

39 fl oz/yd3

7 fl oz/yd3

1

x 0.037

x 0.037 =x 0.037 =x 0.037 =
1. Strength

2. W/CM

3. Stone

4. Air

Trial batches tested for:• Slump• Air content• StrengthAdjustments made:

5. Slump

6. Water

7. Cement

8. Type 9. Admix. 10. Sand 11. Moisture 

• Water Content• Admixture Doses• Cement Content• Sand Content