Concrete @ your Fingertips
Full list of Nuggets
Basic concrete mix design method
The Basic Mix design method was devised by Philip Owens and gives tabulated data to provide initial trial mix proportions for 4 fine aggregate grading zones to BS 882 (now withdrawn), 3 workabilities and 3 aggregate sizes (10, 15, 20mm to BS 882). Suggestions are given for adjusting the initial mix (after the trial) to produce the ´basic mix´ of correct workability and cohesion. A procedure is given to modify the basic mix over a range of cement contents, with a constant free water content to maintain the required fresh concrete properties, such that further trials can be undertaken on a systematic basis. This procedure exploits the near-linear relationship between strength and w/c ratio for medium strength mixes and provides a range of strengths within which a suitable mix can be selected for the required strength value.
Other simplified methods include the BRE (1987) and ACI (1991).
| Related Fingertips |
| BRE Concrete mix design method |
| ACI concrete mix design method |
Acknowledgement:
The Concrete Society
Other references:Owens PL, Basic mix design method, selection of proportions for medium strength concretes, C&CA, London, 1973.
ACI Standard practice for selecting proportions for normal, heavyweight and mass concrete, ACI 211.1-91
