Concrete Proportion and Concrete Mixture Ratio

The two different ways in Concrete Proportioning Mixture:

1. Volume Method

2. by Using Mixturing Box.

Volume Method is the most common and convenient method in Mixing Concrete to attained the
desired strength of concrete.Concrete misture, it involves cement, sand and gravel.
Proportioning by Volume method had been long practiced and it is proven effective and
successful. Most construction industry used this method in proportion the mixture of the
concrete. see tabulation below about the ratio of the cement sand and gravel mixture.

Mixture class   Proportion        Cement in bag        sand         gravel

                                                      40kg       50kg       cu.m         cu.m

class AA             1 : 1 1/2 : 3          12           9.5           0.5            1.0

class A                1 : 2 : 4                 9.0          7.0          0.5            1.0

class B                1 : 2 1/2 : 5           7.5          6.0          0.5            1.0

class C                1 : 3 : 6                 6.0          5.0          0.5            1.0

Strength of Mixture

   a. Class AA - 4000 PSI

   b. Class A   - 3500 PSI

   c. Class B    - 2500 PSI

   d. Class C    - 2000 PSI

Mixture of half cubic meter sand, a cubic meter of gravel and a portion mixture of cement
depending on the class that you are using and plus water, there will be a little bit more than one
cubic meter of volume,this will serve as contingency or wastage.

Written by:  Suvo • Edited by: Lamar Stonecypher 

Updated Aug 17, 2010

This article will inform you about the required concrete mix
proportions and you will be able to mix your own concrete.

Although the words “concrete” and “cement” are used in place of the other very frequently, both
are not same. Cement is an ingredient in concrete like other ingredients like aggregates,
pebbles, air and water. The property of the concrete depends a lot on the proper mix ratio of
concrete ingredients.

What if Concrete Mix Proportions of the Ingredients Go Wrong?

There are four ingredients of concrete, namely, cement, sand and pebbles. Let’s discuss the
effect of the individual ingredients:

Cement: Cement provides strength to the concrete. So for obtaining more strength cement
proportions can be increased, but excessive cement quantity could lead to cracking.

Aggregates and pebbles: Aggregates and pebbles provide strength to the concrete, but
excessive use of pebbles will reduce the proportion of cement and thus will reduce the strength
and increase the brittleness of the concrete.

Water: Water is very essential in a concrete mixture. Portland cement is a hydraulic type of

cement (hardens with the reaction with water). Also, water will increase the flow ability of the
concrete, but excess water content in the concrete will cause cracks.

Air: Tiny air bubbles actually provide extra room to the water molecules while freezing. Also air
helps preventing crack formation in concrete.
Recommended Concrete Mix Proportions

The key to achieving a strong and durable concrete is mixing the ingredients in proper
proportion.

Typically a concrete mixture should have the following proportions of the ingredients:

Cement content: 10 to 15%

Aggregates and pebbles: 60 to 75%

Water: 15 to 20 percent

Entrained air: 5 to 8 percent.

Conclusion

Concrete consists of different ingredients. The ingredients have their different individual
properties. Strength, workability and durability of the concrete depend heavily on the concrete
mix ration of the individual ingredients. Since the process of concrete formation is an
unidirectional chemical reaction, concrete gets its different properties all together.

What Is Self Compacting Concrete?

Written by:  Raunekk • Edited by: Lamar Stonecypher 

Updated May 10, 2010

Self-Compacting Concrete Or SCC is one of the most widely used concrete types mainly
because of its self-compacting characteristics and additional strength benefits. Find out the
importance and uses of Self Compacting concrete along with its manufacturing processes inside
the article.

Introduction

Concrete is the most basic element of for any kind of construction work. No matter what type of
building structure it is, the concrete used should be sturdy and well compacted. The main
reasons for compacting any type of concrete are:

To ensure attaining maximum density by removal of any entrapped air.

To ensure that the concrete used is in full contact with both the steel reinforcement and the form
work.

Ensuring the above points not only provide additional strength to the structure but also good
finish and appearance to the final product. The compacting of any conventional concrete is done
through external force using mechanical devices.

Image Credits:Self Compacting Concrete Pour at Highways website

(http://www.highways.gov.uk/roads/projects/images/Self_Compacting_Concrete_Pour.JPG )

Self-Compacting Concrete (SCC)

Unlike the conventional concrete, self-compacting concrete doesn't require compacting using
external force from mechanical equipment’s such as an immersion vibrator; instead SSC is
designed in such a way that it gets compacted using its own weight and characteristics.

Once applied, the self-compacting property enables the concrete to fully reinforce around the
steel structures and completely fill the space within the framework. The self-compacting of
concrete is achieved without losing any kind of strength, stability, or change in properties.

How is SCC made?

Self-compacting concrete is a type of concrete, which is not a product of mixing substances

having different properties but a combination of several mixes having the same flow
characteristics.
Manufacturing of a Self Compacting Concrete requires three main aspects to be fulfilled. They
are as follows:

High amount of water reducing substance or super plasticizers is added for obtaining high
flowing characteristics.

A type of aggregate mixture is added to gain the desired compactness. Note that the aggregate
content is of round shape and proportional in size in order to increase the locking tendency of
the concrete.

Alteration of fluid properties is done to ensure a cohesive mix which will keep the aggregate and
paste together. These fluid properties can be achieved by adding a high quantity of fine content
such as cement fly-ash or by adding viscosity modifying admixtures (VMA).

Two Main Methods of Making SCC

There are two known and main methods for making SCC. They are as followed:

Powder Method:

In this method super plasticizers are mixed with cementitious materials such as sly ash, slag,
etc. to form a paste. The paste increases the flow of the concrete and holds all the constituents
together.

Admixture method:

In this method instead of the conventional super plasticisers, a new type of super plasticisers
known as polycarboxylate super plasticisers is used. This not only increases the flow capability
of the concrete but also improves the viscosity and the constituent's retention property.

Usage of Self-Compacting Cements has increased tremendously in the past few years. SCC not
only ensures a structure with robust characteristics but also helps in timely completion of
building structures.

The Basic Mix:

A general teacher's guide for concrete preparation

The physical properties of density and strength of concrete are determined, in part, by the
proportions of the three key ingredients, water, cement, and aggregate. You have your choice of
proportioning ingredients by volume or by weight. Proportioning by volume is less accurate,
however due to the time constraints of a class time period this may be the preferred method.

A basic mixture of mortar can be made using the volume proportions of 1 water : 2 cement : 3
sand. Most of the student activities can be conducted using this basic mixture. Another "old rule
of thumb" for mixing concrete is 1 cement: 2 sand: 3 gravel by volume. Mix the dry ingredients
and slowly add water until the concrete is workable. This mixture may need to be modified
depending on the aggregate used to provide a concrete of the right workability. The mix should
not be too stiff or too sloppy. It is difficult to form good test specimens if it is too stiff. If it is too
sloppy, water may separate (bleed) from the mixture.

Remember that water is the key ingredient. Too much water results in weak concrete. Too little
water results in a concrete that is unworkable.

Suggestions: 

If predetermined quantities are used, the method used to make concrete is to dry blend solids
and then slowly add water (with admixtures, if used).

It is usual to dissolve admixtures in the mix water before adding it to the concrete. Super
plasticizer is an exception.

Forms can be made from many materials. Cylindrical forms can be plastic or paper tubes, pipe
insulation, cups, etc. The concrete needs to be easily removed from the forms. Pipe insulation
from a hardware store was used for lab trials. This foam-like material was easy to work with and
is reusable with the addition of tape. The bottom of the forms can be taped, corked, set on glass
plates, etc. Small plastic weighing trays or Dairy Queen banana split dishes can be used as
forms for boats or canoes.

If compression tests are done, it may be of interest to spread universal indicator over the broken
face and note any color changes from inside to outside. You may see a yellowish surface due to
carbonation from CO2in the atmosphere. The inside may be blue due to calcium hydroxide.

To answer the proverbial question, "Is this right?" a slump test may be performed. A slump test
involves filling an inverted, bottomless cone with the concrete mixture. A Styrofoam or paper
cup with the bottom removed makes a good bottomless cone. Make sure to pack the concrete
several times while filling the cone. Carefully remove the cone by lifting it straight upward. Place
the cone beside the pile of concrete. The pile should be about 1/2 to 3/4 the height of the cone
for a concrete mixture with good workability. (SEE DIAGRAM)

To strengthen samples and to promote hydration, soak concrete in water (after it is set).

Wet sand may carry considerable water, so the amount of mix water should be reduced to
compensate.

Air bubbles in the molds will become weak points during strength tests. They can be eliminated
by: 

i. packing the concrete.

ii. Tapping the sides of the mold while filling the mold.

iii. "Rodding" the concrete inside the mold with a thin spatula.

Special chemicals called "water reducing agents" are used to improve workability at low water to
cement ratios and thus produce higher strengths. Most ready-mix companies use these
chemicals, which are known commercially as super plasticizers. They will probably be willing to
give you some at no charge.

You can buy a bag of cement from your local hardware store. A bag contains 94 lb. (40kg) of
cement. Once the bag has been opened, place it inside a garbage bag (or two) that is well
sealed from air. This will keep the cement fresh during the semester. An open bag will pick up
moisture and the resulting concrete may be weaker. Once cement develops lumps, it must be
discarded. The ready mix company in your area may give you cement free of charge in a plastic
pail.
Concrete Basics
Concrete Basics Home > Concrete Basics

In its simplest form, concrete is a mixture of paste and aggregates. The paste, composed of
Portland cement and water, coats the surface of the fine and coarse aggregates. Through a
chemical reaction called hydration, the paste hardens and gains strength to form the rock-like
mass known as concrete.

Within this process lies the key to a remarkable trait of concrete: it's plastic and malleable when
newly mixed, strong and durable when hardened. These qualities explain why one material,
concrete, can build skyscrapers, bridges, sidewalks and superhighways, houses and dams. 

Proportioning

The key to achieving a strong, durable concrete rests in the careful proportioning and mixing of
the ingredients. A concrete mixture that does not have enough paste to fill all the voids between
the aggregates will be difficult to place and will produce rough, honeycombed surfaces and
porous concrete. A mixture with an excess of cement paste will be easy to place and will
produce a smooth surface; however, the resulting concrete is likely to shrink more and be
uneconomical. 

A properly designed concrete mixture will possess the desired workability for the fresh concrete
and the required durability and strength for the hardened concrete. Typically, a mix is about 10
to 15 percent cement, 60 to 75 percent aggregate and 15 to 20 percent water. Entrained air in
many concrete mixes may also take up another 5 to 8 percent. 

Portland cement's chemistry comes to life in the presence of water. Cement

and water form a paste that coats each particle of stone and sand. Through
a chemical reaction called hydration, the cement paste hardens and gains
strength. The character of the concrete is determined by quality of the
paste. The strength of the paste, in turn, depends on the ratio of water to cement. The water-
cement ratio is the weight of the mixing water divided by the weight of the cement. High-quality
concrete is produced by lowering the water-cement ratio as much as possible without sacrificing
the workability of fresh concrete. Generally, using less water produces a higher quality concrete
provided the concrete is properly placed, consolidated, and cured.

Other Ingredients

Although most drinking water is suitable for use in concrete,

aggregates are chosen carefully. Aggregates comprise 60 to 75
percent of the total volume of concrete. The type and size of the
aggregate mixture depends on the thickness and purpose of the final
concrete product. Almost any natural water that is drinkable and has no
pronounced taste or odor may be used as mixing water for concrete.
However, some waters that are not fit for drinking may be suitable for concrete. 

Excessive impurities in mixing water not only may affect setting time and concrete strength, but
also may cause efflorescence, staining, corrosion of reinforcement, volume instability, and
reduced durability. Specifications usually set limits on chlorides, sulfates, alkalis, and solids in
mixing water unless tests can be performed to determine the effect the impurity has on various
properties. Relatively thin building sections call for small coarse aggregate, though aggregates
up to six inches (150 mm) in diameter have been used in large dams. A continuous gradation of
particle sizes is desirable for efficient use of the paste. In addition, aggregates should be clean
and free from any matter that might affect the quality of the concrete.

More on concrete design and production.

Hydration Begins

Soon after the aggregates, water, and the cement are combined, the mixture starts to harden.
All Portland cements are hydraulic cements that set and harden through a chemical reaction
with water. During this reaction, called hydration, a node forms on the surface of each cement
particle. The node grows and expands until it links up with nodes from other cement particles or
adheres to adjacent aggregates. 

The building up process results in progressive stiffening, hardening, and strength development.
Once the concrete is thoroughly mixed and workable it should be placed in forms before the
mixture becomes too stiff. 

During placement, the concrete is consolidated to compact it

within the forms and to eliminate potential flaws, such as
honeycombs and air pockets. For slabs, concrete is left to stand
until the surface moisture film disappears. After the film
disappears from the surface, a wood or metal handfloat is used
to smooth off the concrete. Floating produces a relatively even,
but slightly rough, texture that has good slip resistance and is
frequently used as a final finish for exterior slabs. If a smooth,
hard, dense surface is required, floating is followed by steel troweling.

Curing begins after the exposed surfaces of the concrete have hardened

sufficiently to resist marring. Curing ensures the continued hydration of the
cement and the strength gain of the concrete. Concrete surfaces are cured by sprinkling with
water fog, or by using moisture-retaining fabrics such as burlap or cotton mats. Other curing
methods prevent evaporation of the water by sealing the surface with plastic or special sprays
(curing compounds). 

Special techniques are used for curing concrete during extremely cold or hot weather to protect
the concrete. The longer the concrete is kept moist, the stronger and more durable it will
become. The rate of hardening depends upon the composition and fineness of the cement, the
mix proportions, and the moisture and temperature conditions. Most of the hydration and
strength gain take place within the first month of concrete's life cycle, but hydration continues at
a slower rate for many years. Concrete continues to get stronger as it gets older.

The Forms of Concrete

Concrete is produced in four basic forms, each with unique applications and properties. Ready-
mixed concrete, by far the most common form, accounts for nearly three-fourths of all concrete.
It's batched at local plants for delivery in the familiar trucks with revolving drums. Precast
concrete products are cast in a factory setting. These products benefit from tight quality control
achievable at a production plant. Precast products range from concrete bricks and paving
stones to bridge girders, structural components, and panels for cladding. 

Concrete masonry, another type of manufactured concrete, may be best

known for its conventional 8 x 8 x 16-inch block. Today's masonry units
can be molded into a wealth of shapes, configurations, colors, and textures
to serve an infinite spectrum of building applications and architectural
needs. Cement-based materials represent products that defy the label of
"concrete," yet share many of its qualities. Conventional materials in this
category include mortar, grout, and terrazzo. Soil-cement and roller-
compacted concrete—"cousins" of concrete-are used for pavements and
dams. Other products in this category include flowable fill and cement-treated bases. A new
generation of advanced products incorporates fibers and special aggregate to create roofing
tiles, shake shingles, lap siding, and countertops. And an emerging market is the use of cement
to treat and stabilize waste.