Design of Concrete Mix Using IS Code Method (IS: 10262-2009)

Given Data:
STIPULATIONS FOR PROPORTIONING
Grade of Concrete
To be given
Type of cement
OPC 43 grade conforming to IS 8112
*
Maximum Nominal Size of Coarse Aggregate
20 mm
Minimum cement content
320 kg/m3
Maximum water-cement ratio
0.45
Workability
100 mm (slump)
Exposure condition
Severe (for reinforced concrete)
Method of concrete placing
Pumping
Degree of supervision
Good
Type of aggregate
Crushed angular aggregate
Maximum cement content
450 kg/m3
TEST DATA FOR MATERIALS
Specific Gravity of Cement
3.15
Chemical admixture
Super plasticizer conforming to IS 9103
Specific Gravity of Coarse Aggregate
2.74
Specific Gravity of Fine Aggregate
2.74
Water absorption by Coarse Aggregate
0.5%
Water absorption by Fine Aggregate
0.5%
Workability (in terms of Compaction factor)
0.95
Moisture content (Free/surface) of Fine
0%
Aggregate
Moisture content (Free/surface of Coarse
0%
Aggregate
Sieve Analysis
Refer IS 10262- Page 5
* Passing by 20 mm sieve and retained by 4.75 mm sieve
STEP BY STEP PROCEDURE OF CONCRETE MIX DESIGN AS PER IS: 10262
Step 1:
Determine the Target strength of the concrete as
f ck f ck 1.65 s

where,

f ck

= Required Compressive Strength of concrete at 28 days

f ck
s

= Target Compressive Strength of concrete at 28 days

= Standard Deviation (depends on quality control) given in Table 1.

Table 1 [ Table 1 of IS: 10262-2009]

Grade of concrete
M 10
M 15
M 20
M 25
M 30
M 35

Assumed Standard
Deviation
3.5
3.5
4.0
4.0
5.0
5.0

Remarks
The values mentioned correspond to
the site control having proper storage
of cement; weigh batching of all
materials; controlled addition of
water; regular checking of all
materials; aggregate grading and

M 40
M 45
M 50
M 55

5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0

moisture content; and periodical

checking of workability and strength.
Where there is deviation from the
above, values given in the above table
shall be increased by 1 MPa

Step 2: Selection of water-cement ratio [ Table 5 of IS: 456-2000]

Table 2:
Sl.
No

1
2
3
4
5

Exposure

Mild
Moderate
Severe
Very
Severe
Extreme

Plain Concrete

Reinforced concrete

Minimum
cement
content
220
240
250
260

Maximum
Free Water
ratio
0.60
0.60
0.50
0.45

Minimum
Grade of
Concrete
---M 15
M 20
M 20

Minimum
cement
content
300
300
320
340

Maximum
Free Water
ratio
0.55
0.50
0.45
0.45

Minimum
Grade of
Concrete
M 20
M 25
M 30
M 35

280

0.40

M 25

360

0.40

M 40

Adopt a water-cement ratio as 0.40

Step 3: Selection of Water Content: [ Table 2 of IS: 10262-2009]

Table 3: Maximum Water Content per Cubic Metre of Concrete for Nominal Maximum Size of
Aggregate:
Nominal Maximum Size of Aggregate (mm)
Maximum Water Content (kg)*
10
208
20
186
40
165
*
- Water Content corresponding to saturated surface dry aggregate
Maximum water content for 20 mm aggregate = 186 litre [ 25 mm - 50 mm slump]
Since the slump given is 100mm, the required water content may be established by trial or an
increase by about 3 percent for every additional 25 mm slump or alternatively by use of chemical
admixtures conforming to IS 9103 [ Page 2 of IS: 10262- 2009].
6
Estimated water content for 100 mm slump = 186
186 = 197 litre
100
Note: Water reducing admixtures or super plasticizing admixtures usually decrease water content
by 5 to 10 percent and 20 percent above respectively at appropriate dosages.
Based on trials with super plasticizer water content reduction of 29 percent has been achieved.
Hence, the arrived water content = 197 x 0.71 = 140 litre.

Step 4: Calculation of Cement Content:

Water-cement ratio = 0.40

Weight of water
140
Cement content =

350 kg / m 3
Water Cement ratio 0.40
Minimum cement content as per IS-456 = 320 kg/m3
Calculated cement content > minimum cement content----> safe:

Step 5: Proportion of Volume of Coarse Aggregate and Fine Aggregate content:

Refer Table 3 of IS: 10262-2009:
Table 4: Volume of Coarse Aggregate per Unit Volume of Total Aggregate for Different Zones of
Fine Aggregate
Nominal Maximum
Size of Aggregate
(mm)

Volume of Coarse Aggregate per unit Volume of Total Aggregate for

Different Zones of Fine Aggregate*

Zone IV
Zone III
Zone II
Zone I
10
0.50
0.48
0.46
0.44
20
0.66
0.64
0.62
0.60
40
0.75
0.73
0.71
0.69
*
- Volumes are based on aggregates in saturated surface dry condition
The above values are applicable for only water-cement ratio of 0.5;
Volume of coarse aggregate corresponding to 20 mm size aggregate and fine aggregate (Zone I)
for water-cement ratio of 0.50 = 0.60
Table 5: Corrections for water content and sand as percentage of total aggregate
Change in condition

Correction for water

Correction for % of sand

+1.5%

Zone III

-1.5%

Zone IV

-3.0%

3.0%

1%

-15 kg/m3

-7%

For sand confirming grading Zone I

Increase or decrease in value of

compaction factor by 0.1
Each 0.05 increase or decrease in Free
water cement ratio
For rounded aggregate

In the present case water-cement ratio is 0.40. Therefore, volume of coarse aggregate is required
to be increased to decrease the fine aggregate content.

As the water-cement ratio is lower by 0.10, the proportion of volume of coarse aggregate is
increased by 0.02 (at the rate of -/+ 0.01 for every 0.05 change in water-cement ratio). Therefore,
corrected proportion of volume of coarse aggregate for the water-cement ratio of 0.40 = 0.62
Note: In case the coarse aggregate is not angular one, then also volume of coarse may be required
to be increased suitably, based on experience.
For pumpable concrete, these values should be reduced by 10 percent.
The volume of coarse aggregate = 0.62 x 0.90 = 0.56
Volume of fine aggregate = 1 - 0.56 = 0.44

Step 6: Final Mix Proportions:

The mix calculations per unit volume of concrete shall be as follows:
S. Component
No
a
Volume of
concrete
b
Volume of
cement

Calculation
1 m3
Volume of cement =
Mass of cement
1
350
1

0.111 m 3
Specific gravity of cement 1000 3.15 1000
Volume of water =
Mass of water
1
140
1

0.140 m 3
Specific gravity of water 1000
1 1000
Volume of chemical admixture =
Mass of chemical admixture
1
7
1

0.006 m 3
Specific gravity of admixture 1000 1.145 1000

Volume of water

Volume of
chemical
admixture
(Superplasticizer)
(@ 2.0 percent
by mass of
cementitious
material)
Volume of all in
Volume of all in aggregate = [ a-(b+c+d)] = 1-(0.111 + 0.140 + 0.006) = 0.743
aggregate
m3
e Volume of coarse aggregate Specific gravity of coarse aggregate 1000
Mass of coarse
aggregate
0.743 0.56 2.74 1000 1140 kg
e Volume of fine aggregate Specific gravity of fine aggregate 1000
Mass of fine
aggregate
0.743 0.44 2.74 1000 896 kg

e
f
g

Step 7:
The quantities of water, cement, coarse aggregate and fine aggregate as determine in previous steps are
for preparation of 1 m3 of concrete. Now there is a need to determine the weight of these ingredients for
desired volume. Determine required volume of concrete and consider 20% as wastage as follows:

Required volume of concrete, v = 1.2 (no. of cubes volume of each cube +

no. of cylinders volume of each cylinder)

Step 8:
Calculate required quantities of each ingredient for required volume as
Weight of cement for required volume of concrete = Cv
Weight of water for required volume of concrete = Ww v
Weight of Fine Aggregate for required volume of concrete = Wfav
Weight of coarse Aggregate for required volume of concrete = Wcav

Chart for Identifying Zone of Fine Aggregate (As per IS 383: 1970)
Percentage passing for

IS Sieve
Designation

Grading Zone - I

Grading Zone - II

Grading Zone - III

Grading Zone - IV

100

100

100

100

4.75 mm

90-100

90-100

90-100

95-100

2.36 mm

60-95

75-100

85-100

95-100

1.18 mm

30-70

55-90

75-100

90-100

600 micron

15-34

35-59

60-69

80-100

300 micron

5-20

8-30

12-40

15-50

150 micron

0-10

0-10

0-10

0-15

10 mm

Grading for Coarse Aggregate (As per IS383:1970)

IS Sieve
Designation

Percentage passing for single sized aggregate of Nominal size

Percentage passing for Graded aggregate of

Nominal size

63mm

40mm

40mm

20mm

16mm

12.5mm

10mm

20mm

16mm

12.5mm

80mm

100

100

63mm

85100

100

40mm

0 30

85100

100

95 100

100

20mm

05

0 20

85 100

100

30 70

95 100

100

100

16mm

85 100

100

90100

12.5mm

85 100

100

90100

05

05

0 20

0 30

0 45

85 100

10 35

25 55

30 70

45 85

4.75mm

05

05

0 10

0 20

05

0 10

0 10

0 10

2.36mm

05

10mm

Expt: No: 2
Nominal Mix For Concrete
Suitable for grade of concrete less or equal to M20

Given Data
Grade of concrete

To be given

Specific gravity of cement

3.15

Specific gravity of Fine aggregate

2.65

Specific gravity of Coarse aggregate

2.65

Step 1: Determine the proportions of materials using the following Table corresponding to given
grade of concrete

Grade of
Concrete

Total quantity of dry aggregates by mass

per 50 kg of cement, to be taken as the
sum of the individual masses of fine and
coarse aggregate, kg, Max.

Proportion of fine
aggregate to coarse
aggregate (by mass)

Quantity of
water per 50 kg
of cement,
Max.

Generally 1:2 but

subjected to an
upper limit of 1: 1.5
and a lower limit of
1:2.5

M5

800

M 7.5

625

M 10

480

M 15

330

32

M 20

250

30

Step 2: Determine the volume of concrete prepared using the above proportions for 50 kg of
cement.

C W fa Wca
1
V Ww

S c S fa
S ca 1000

where;
V = volume (m3) of concrete
C = mass of cement (kg)
Sc = specific gravity of cement,
Ww = mass of water (kg)

60
45
34

Wfa = total mass of fine aggregate ( kg )

Wca = total mass of coarse aggregate
Sfa = specific gravities fine aggregate
Sca = specific gravities coarse aggregate

Step 3: Determine total volume of required concrete to fill the moulds including 20% as wastage
Required volume of concrete, v = 1.2 (no. of cubes volume of each cube +
no. of cylinders volume of each cylinder)
Step 4: Calculate required quantities of each ingredient for required volume as
Weight of cement for required volume of concrete = C(v/V)
Weight of water for required volume of concrete = Ww (v/V)
Weight of Fine Aggregate for required volume of concrete = Wfa(v/V)
Weight of coarse Aggregate for required volume of concrete = Wca(v/V)

Experiment No: 3:
Aim:
To determine the Normal consistency of cement.

What is normal/standard consistency?

The standard consistency of a cement paste is defined as that consistency which will permit the
vicat plunger to penetrate to a point 5 to 7mm from the bottom of the vicat mould.
Apparatus required:

Vicat Apparatus Conforming to IS: 5513-197 with plunger of 10 mm diameter

Balance of capacity 1Kg and sensitivity to 1gram
Gauging trowel conforming to IS: 10086-198

Experimental procedure:

Unless otherwise specified this test shall be conducted at a temperature 27 + 2 deg celcius and the
relative humidity of laboratory should be 65 + 5%.
Prepare a paste of weighed quantity of cement (300gms) with weighed quantity of potable or
distilled water, taking care that the time of gauging is not less than 3minutes nor more than
5minutes and the gauging is completed before any sign of setting occurs.
The gauging is counted from the time of adding water to the dry cement until commencing to fill
the mould.
Fill the vicat mould with this paste resting upon a non-porous plate.
Smoothen the surface of the paste, making it level with the top of the mould.
Slightly shake the mould to expel the air.
In filling the mould operators hands and the blade of the gauging trowel shall only be used.
Immediately place the test block with the non-porous resting plate, under the rod bearing the
plunger.
Lower the plunger gently to touch the surface of the test block and quickly release, allowing it sink
into the paste.
Record the depth of penetration
Prepare trial pastes with varying percentages of water and test as described above until the
plunger is 5mm to 7mm from the bottom of the vicat mould.

Observation Table & Calculation:

Date of testing
Tested by
Trial No.

Weight of
Cement (g)

Water (cc)

Cement
Manufacturer
Grade of
cement
Water %

1
2
3
4
5
6
7

S tan dard Consistency

Needle
Penetration

Remarks
Approximate
temperature
in the room
is _______

Weight of water added

100
Weight of cement

Result:
The standard consistency of the cement paste is the amount of water added to cement in percentage to
the mass of dry cement. Approximate it to first decimal.
Note:
Refer IS: 4031 (Part 4) 1988 for more details

Aim:
To determine the initial setting time of cement:
Appratus:

Vicat 's needle apparatus

Balance
stop watch

Initial Setting Time of Cement:

Initial setting time is the time consumed from addition of water into dry cement to the instant at which
needle of 1 mm2 section fails to pierce the test sample to a depth of 5 mm from the bottom.
Experimental Procedure:
Sample Preparation:

Prepare a cement paste by gauging the cement with 0.85 times the water required to give a paste
of standard consistency.
Start a stop-watch, the moment water is added to the cement.
Fill the Vicat mould completely with the cement paste gauged as above, the mould resting on a
non-porous plate and smooth off the surface of the paste making it level with the top of the
mould. The cement block thus prepared in the mould is the test block.

Test Procedure:

Place the test block under the rod bearing the needle
Lower the needle gently in order to make contact with the surface of the cement paste and release
quickly, allowing it to penetrate the test block
Repeat the procedure (every two minutes for initial setting time) till the needle fails to pierce the
test block to a point 5.0 0.5mm measured from the bottom of the mould
The time period elapsing between the time, water is added to the cement and the time, the needle
fails to pierce the test block by 5.0 0.5mm measured from the bottom of the mould, is the initial
setting time.

Observation & Calculation:

Quantity of cement =
Normal consistency of cement in percentage (P) =
Quantity of cement =
Initial setting time =
Quantity of water required = 0.85 P

weight of cement

100

Result:
The initial setting time of cement is ______________ minutes.

Aim:
To determine the final setting time of cement
Appratus:

Vicat 's needle apparatus with annular arrangement

Balance
stop watch

Initial Setting Time of Cement:

Final setting time is the time consumed from addition of water into dry cement to the instant at which
needle of 1 mm2 with 5 mm dia attachment makes an impression on the sample but attachment fails to
make it.
Experimental Procedure:
Sample Preparation:

Prepare a cement paste by gauging the cement with 0.85 times the water required to give a paste
of standard consistency.
Start a stop-watch, the moment water is added to the cement.
Fill the Vicat mould completely with the cement paste gauged as above, the mould resting on a
non-porous plate and smooth off the surface of the paste making it level with the top of the
mould. The cement block thus prepared in the mould is the test block.

Test Procedure:

Place the test block under the rod bearing the needle
Bring the needle with attachment near the surface of cement and release it.
Repeat the above procedure until the needle makes an impression on surface and attachment
does not make impression.
The period elapsing between the time, water is added to the cement and the time, the needle
makes an impression on the surface of the test block, while the attachment fails to do so, is the
final setting time.

Observation & Calculation:

Quantity of cement =
Normal consistency of cement in percentage (P) =
Quantity of cement =
Initial setting time =
Final setting time =
Quantity of water required = 0.85 P
Result:

weight of cement

100

The final setting time of cement is ______________ minutes.

Note:
For setting time of cement, refer 4031 (Part 5) 1988.

Experiment No: 4:
Fineness of cement:
Aim:
To determine the fineness of cement
Methods of determining the fineness:
By sieving [ will be performed in the lab]
By determination of specific surface (total surface area of all the particles in one gram of cement)
by air-permeability apparatus. Expressed as cm2/gm or m2/kg. Generally Blaine Air permeability
apparatus is used.
Significance:
The fineness of cement has an important bearing on the rate of hydration and hence on the rate of gain of
strength and also on the rate of evolution of heat. Finer cement offers a greater surface area for hydration
and hence faster the development of strength.
Apparatus:
Sieve of 90 microns, balance etc.,
Procedure:

Weigh correctly 100 grams of cement and take it on a standard IS Sieve No. 9 (90 microns).
Break down the air-set lumps in the sample with fingers.
Continuously sieve the sample giving circular and vertical motion for a period of 15 minutes
Mechanical sieving devices may also be used. Weigh the residue left on the sieve
This weight shall not exceed 10% for ordinary cement

Observation:
Trial No.

Weight of cement taken (g)

Weight of cement retained (g)

Percentage of weight
retained on 90 microns
sieve

Result:
Cement is grounded well /not well as the percentage of weight retained is not greater than/greater than
10 %

Experiment No: 4:
Determination of Specific gravity of cement:
Aim:
To determine the specific gravity of cement using Le Chatelier Flask or Specific Gravity Bottle
Apparatus:

Le Chatelier Flask or Specific Gravity Bottle - 100 ml capacity

Balance capable of weighing accurately up to 0.1 grams.

Procedure:

Weigh a clean and dry Le Chatelier Flask or Specific Gravity Bottle with its stopper (W1)
Place a sample of cement upto half of the flask (about 50 grams) and weigh with its stopper (W2)
Add kerosene (polar liquid) to cement in flask till it is about half full.
Mix thoroughly with glass rod to remove entrapped air.
Continue stirring and add more kerosene till it is flush with the graduated mark.
Dry the outside and weigh (W3)
Entrapped air may be removed by vacuum pump, if available.
Empty the flask and clean it and fill clean kerosene flush with the graduated mark.
Dry the outside and weigh (W4)

Calculation:

Specific Gravity of cement

W2 W1
W2 W1 W3 W4 0.79

Weight of empty flask W1

Weight of flask cement W2
Weight of flask cement ker osene W3
Weight of flask ker osene W4
Specific gravity of ker osene 0.79
Result:
Specific gravity of cement is _____________
Note:
Refer IS: 2720- Part 3 for more details about the test

Experiment No: 5:
Tensile strength of cement:
Aim:
To determine the tensile strengths of cement
Apparatus:

Briquette mould assembly

Balance, tension testing machine etc.,

Tensile strength of cement is the ability of cement mortar specimen to withstand the tensile load.
Procedure:

Weigh 250 grams of cement, 750 grams of sand and mix them properly.
Take (P/5 +2.5) % water of total weight of sand and cement and mix it in sand and cement, where P
is the normal consistency of cement in percentage.
Oil the interior surface of mould (which is of briquette shape)
Put the mould on table and place the whole quantity of mortar in briquette by compacting it with
tamping rod.
Put the mould at temp 27 2 C and relative humidity 90 % for 24 hours
At the end of this period, remove the specimens from moulds and submerge them in clean and
fresh water. This water should be renewed after every week.
Take out three specimens and test them after 3 days. Similarly test 3 specimens after 7 days.

Observation & Calculation:

Sl. No Strength after 3 days
1
2
3

Sl. No Strength after 7 days

1
2
3

Tensile strength testing machine:

A loading Machine, double lever type, with steel scale marked from 0-500 Newtons in 10 Newton
division
Maximum loading capacity 5 kN
Automatic Loading system using Lead Shot
Lead shot 15 kg supplied with the machine. Set of weights for weighing lead shot comprising one
each for weighing upto 0.5 kN, 1 kN, 1.5 kN & 2.0 kN
One standard Briquette Mould with Base Plate also Supplied.

Result:
Average tensile strength after 3 days =
Average tensile strength after 7 days=

Experiment No: 5:
Compressive strength of cement:
Aim:
To determine the compressive strength of cement
Apparatus:

Mould
Balance, vibrator, compression testing machine etc

Compressive strength of cement is the measure of ability of cement mortar specimens to withstand the
compressive load. It enables to distinguish rapid hardening cement from low heat and ordinary cement.
Procedure:

Weigh 185 grams of cement, 555 grams of sand and mix them properly.
Take (P/4 +3) % water of total weight of sand and cement and mix it in sand and cement, where P
is the normal consistency of cement in percentage. The quantities taken are for one specimen only.
Material for each specimen should be mixed separately according to above mentioned quantities.
Oil the interior surface of mould (which is of briquette shape)
Place each mould on vibrator and fill them with cement sand mix by vibrating
Keep the moulds at temp 27 2 C and relative humidity 90 % for 24 hours
At the end of this period, remove the specimens from moulds and submerge them in clean and
fresh water. This water should be renewed after every week.
Take out three specimens and test them after 3 days. Similarly test 3 specimens after 7 days.

Observation & Calculation:

Dimensions of specimen (Cube) =
Sl. No

Compressive strength of cement =

Load at failure
Cross Sectional area

1
2
3

Result:
Average compressive strength of cement after 3 days =

(MPa)

Average compressive strength of cement after 7 days =

(Mpa)

Some important requirements to be met by various types of cement [ Taken from

http://www.ultratechconcrete.com/cement_types.html]

S no Type of
cement

OPC 33

OPC 43

OPC 53

PPC (flyash
based)

PSC (slag)

SRC

White
Cement
RHC (Rapid
Hardening
Cement)

IS Code Fineness Setting Time in

Soundness
Compressive Strength in MPa
m2/kg
minutes
(min)
Initial Final Le
Auto 3 days 7 days 28 days
(min.) (max.) Chatelier Clave
(mm)
(%)
269 :
225
30
600
10
0.8
16
22
33
1989
8112 :
225
30
600
10
0.8
23
33
43
1989
12269 :
225
30
600
10
0.8
27
37
53
1987
1489 :
300
30
600
10
0.8
16
22
33
1991
(Part 1)
455 :
225
30
600
10
0.8
16
22
33
2002
12330 :
225
30
600
10
0.8
10
16
33
1988
8042 :
225
30
600
10
0.8
19.8
29.7
1989
8041 :
325
30
600
10
0.8
27
16 @ 1 day
1990

Experiment No: 6:
Bulking of Fine aggregate [ Field Method]:
Aim:
To determine the percentage bulking of the fine aggregate
Apparatus:

Balance
Measuring cylinder, tamping rod, etc

Whenever the water is added to dry sand or it is absorbed from the atmosphere, its volume increases. This
increase in volume due to water is known as bulking of sand. It is the ratio of increase in volume to original
volume.
The volume of the fine aggregate depends largely upon its moisture content. When the fine aggregate is
moist each particle gets coated with a film of water due to surface tension. The particles are kept
separated and hence the volume apparently increases. The increase in volume is known as Bulking. The
amount of bulking increases initially with increase in water content but decrease to zero with further
increase in water content over to bulking, Fine aggregate shows completely unrealistic volume. Therefore,
it is absolutely vital that consideration must be given to the effect of bulking.
General [ As extracted from IS: 2386-Part III]:
Sand brought on to a building site or other works may contain an amount of moisture which will cause it,
when loosely filled into a container, to occupy a larger volume than it would occupy if dry. If the sand is
measure by loose volume, it is necessary in such a case to increase the measured volume of the sand, in
order that the amount of sand put into the concrete may be the amount intended for the nominal mix
used (based on dry sand). It will be necessary to increase the volume of sand by the ' percentage'
bulking. The correction to be made is only a rough approximation, because the system of measurement
by loose volume is a rough method at the best, but a correction of the right order can easily be
determined and should be applied in order to keep the concrete uniform.
Procedure:

Put sufficient quantity of the sand loosely into a container until it is about two-thirds full.
Level off the top of the sand and pushing a steel rule vertically down through the sand at the
middle to the bottom, measure the height. Suppose, this is h cm.
Empty the sand out of the container into another container where none of it will be lost.
Half fill the first container with water.
Out back about the half the sand and rod it with a steel rod, about 6 mm in diameter, so that its
volume is reduced to a minimum.
The add the remainder of the sand and rod it in the same way.
Smooth and level the top surface of the inundated sand and measure its depth at the middle with
the steel rule. Suppose this is h' cms.

Observation & Calculation:

The percentage of bulking of the sand due to moisture shall be calculated from the formula:

Percentage of bulking ' 1 100

h

Result:
The bulking should be reported to the nearest whole number.
Note:
Refer IS: 2386- Part III for more details
Experiment No: 6:
Silt content in Fine aggregate:
Aim:
To determine the percentage of silt content of the fine aggregate
Apparatus:

Balance
Measuring cylinder, tamping rod, etc

Experimental Procedure:

50 ml of 1 % common salt solution is placed in a 250 ml measuring cylinder.

Sand is then added to it until the level of water reaches the 100-ml mark.
More salt solution is then added to raise the level to the 150-ml mark.
With a palm placed on top of the cylinder, its contents are vigorously agitated and then allowed to
stand for 3 hours.
A distinct layer of silt appears as a top layer of sand.
The thickness of the silt layer is expressed as a percentage of the total thickness of the solid layer.
The percentage of silt should be less than 6 %.

Result:
Report the percentage of silt content and comment on the result.

Experiment No: 7:
Classification of Fine Aggregate:
Aim:
To classify the fine aggregate on the basis of sieve analysis
Apparatus:

Set of sieves
Balance

Experimental Procedure:
The classification of fine aggregate specified by the Indian Standards is given in Table. Grade I is the
coarsest and grade IV is the finest of the fine aggregate. For I st grade , about 90-100 percent of the
material must pass through 4.75 mm sieve and about 60-80 percent must pass through the next standard
sieve, namely 2.36 mm. The first three graded zones are usually acceptable for reinforced or prestressed
concrete constructions. However, the 4th grade zone fine aggregate is rather too fine and will decrease
workability of the concrete.
IS SIEVE

ZONE I

ZONE II

ZONE III

ZONE IV

10 mm

100

100

100

100

4.75 mm

90-100

90-100

90-100

95-100

2.36 mm

60-95

75-100

85-100

95-100

1.18 mm

30-70

55-90

75-100

90-100

600 micron

15-34

35-59

60-79

80-100

300 micron

5-20

8-30

12-40

15-50

150 micron

0-10

0-10

0-10

0-15

Result:
Report the zone of the fine aggregate.
Note:
Refer IS: 383-1970 for more details.

Experiment No: 7:
Fineness Modulus of Fine aggregate:
Aim:
To determine the fineness modulus of fine aggregate
Apparatus:

Set of sieves
Balance

Experimental Procedure:
Fineness modulus: It has been observed that strength of mix is dependent wholly on the water cement
ratio while the grading of the particles is important from workability and economy point of view. The
grading of particles by Fullers formula, to get maximum density, is difficult and sometimes uneconomical to
achieve in practice. Fineness modulus method essentially is a substitute for fuller maximum density
method, aimed at standardization of the grading of aggregates. The term fineness modulus, suggested by
Abram, is a numerical index of fineness of fineness of both fine as well as coarse aggregates.
The fineness modulus is obtained by adding the percentage of the weight of materials retained on various
I.S sieves and dividing it by 100.
I.S SIEVE
WEIGHT RETAINED (g) TOTAL WT RETAINED (g) PERCENTAGE WEIGHT RETAINED
40 mm
0
0
0
20 mm
0
0
0
10 mm
0
0
0
4 mm
0
0
0
2 mm
0.1
0.1
10.00
1 mm
0.25
0.35
35.00
500 micron
0.35
0.70
70.00
250 micron
0.20
0.90
90.00
125 micron
0.10
1.00
100.00
Total
305.00
Fineness modulus
3.05

Result:
Fine Fineness Modulus (2.3-2.6)
Medium Fineness Modulus (2.6-2.9)
Coarse Fineness Modulus (2.9-3.2)

Experiment No: 7:
Specific Gravity & Water Absorption of Fine aggregate:
Aim:
To determine the fineness modulus of fine aggregate
Apparatus:

Pycnometer
Balance

Experimental Procedure:

A sample of about 1 kg for 10 mm to 4.75 mm or 500 g if finer than 4.75 mm, shall be placed in the
tray and covered with distilled water at a temperature of 22-32 deg c.
Soon after immersion, air entrapped in or bubbles on the surface of the aggregate shall be removed
by gentle agitation with a rod.
The sample shall remain immersed for 24 hours.
The water shall then be carefully drained from the sample, by decantation through a filter paper, any
material retained being returned to the sample.
The aggregate including any solid matter retained on the filter paper shall be exposed to a gentle
current of warm air to evaporate surface moisture and shall be stirred at frequent intervals to ensure
uniform drying until no free surface moisture can be seen and the material just attains a 'freerunning' condition.
Care shall be taken to ensure that this stage is not passed.
The saturated and surface dry sample shall be weighed (Weight A)
The aggregate shall then be placed in the pycnometer which shall be filled with distilled water. Any
trapped air shall be eliminated by rotating the pycnometer on its side, the hole in the apex of the
cone being covered with a finger. The pycnometer shall be topped up with distilled water to remove
any froth from the surface and so that the surface of the water in the hole is flat. The pycnometer
shall be dried on the outside and weighed (Weight B)
The contents of the pycnometer shall be emptied into the tray, care being taken to ensure that all
the aggregate is transferred.
The pyccometer shall be refilled with distilled water to the same level as before, dried on the outside
and weighed (Weight C)
The difference in the temperature of the water in the pycnometer during the first and second
weighings shall not exceed 2 deg c.
The water shall then be carefully drained from the sample by decantation through a filter paper and
any material retained returned to the sample.
The sample shall be placed in the oven in the tray at a temperature of 100 to 110 deg c for 24 hours,
during which period it shall be stirred occasionally to facilitate drying. It shall be cooled in the airtight container and weighed (Weight D).

Calculations:

Specific gravity

D
A (B C)

Apparent Specific gravity

D
D (B C)

Water absorption ( percent of dry weight )

100( A D)
D

A = weight of saturated surface dry sample

B = weight of pycnometer or gas jar containing sample and filled with distilled water
C = Weight of pycnometer or gas jar filled with distilled water only, and
D = Weight of oven dried sample
Result:
Report the specific gravity, apparent specific gravity and water absorption of fine aggregates and compare
with the permissible limits.