APPENDIX C 

 ACI Standard 



Recommended Practice for Selecting Proportions for 

 Normal and Heavyweight Concrete (ACI 211.1-74)* 



Reported by ACI Committee 211 



JOHN R. WILSON 



Chairman, Commmea 211 



EDWARD A. ABDUN-NUR 

 ROBERT A. BURMEISTER 

 WILLIAM A. CORDON 

 CLAYTON L DAVIS 

 EDWIN A. DECKER 

 DONALD E. DIXON 

 PRANK G. ERSKINE 

 H. P. FAUERBY 

 RICHARD J. FRAZIER 



A. T. HERSEY 



WILLIAM W. HOTALING, JR. 

 EDWARD J. HYLAND 

 HECTOR I. KING 

 PAUL KLIEGER 

 FRANK J. LAHM 

 RICHARD C. MEININGER 

 JOHN T. MOLNAR 

 AUSTIN H. MORGAN. JR. 



J. NEIL MUSTARD 

 FRANK P. NICHOLS, JR. 

 JOHN E. PALO 

 SANDOR POPOVICS 

 JOHN M. SCANLON, JR. 

 GEORGE W. WASHA 

 CECIL H. WILLEnS 

 CEDRIC WILLSON 

 JOHN C. WYCOFF 



Describes, wifh examples, two methods for selecting and adjusting proportions for 

 normal weight concrete. One method is based on an estimated weight of the 

 concrete per unit volume; the other is based on calculations of the absolute volume 

 occupied by the concrete ingredients. The procedures take into consideration the 

 requirements for placeability, consistency, strength, and durability. Example calcu- 

 lations are shown for both methods, including adjustments based on the character- 

 istics of the first trial batch. 



The proportioning of heavyweight concrete for such purposes as radiation shielding 

 and bridge counterweight structures is described In an appendix. This appendix uses 

 the absolute volume method which is generally accepted and Is more convenient for 

 heavyweight concrete. 



Kaywardt: absorption: eggragates: air entrainmen 

 crate durability: concrafai; consistency: durability: 

 haavywalgKt concratal; mil proportioning; quality cc 

 water-cement ratio. 



ent content: coarte aggregates: con- 

 aggregates: lieavyweigKt aggregates: 

 adiatlon shielding: slump tests: volume: 



1. SCOPE 



1.1 — This recommended practice describes meth- 

 ods for selecting proportions for concrete made 

 with aggregates of normal and high density (as 

 distinguished from lightweight and special high 

 density aggregates) and of workability suitable 

 for usual cast-in-place construction (as distin- 

 guished from special mixtures for concrete prod- 

 ucts manufacture) . 



1.2 — The methods provide a first approximation 

 of proportions intended to be checked by trial 

 batches in the laboratory or field and adjusted, 

 as necessary, to produce the desired character- 

 istics of the concrete. 



1.3 — U. S. customary units are used in the main 

 body of the text. Adaptation for the metric sys- 

 tem is provided in Appendix 1, and demonstrated 

 in an example problem in Appendix 2. 



1.4 — Test methods mentioned in the text are 

 listed in Appendix 3. 



2. INTRODUCTION 



2.1 — Concrete is composed principally of ce- 

 ment, aggregates, arid water. It will contain some 

 amount of entrapped air and may also contain 

 purposely entrained air obtained by use of an 

 admixture or air-entraining cement. Admixtures 

 are also frequently used for other purposes such 

 as to accelerate, retard, improve workability, re- 

 duce mixing water requirement, increase strength, 

 or alter other properties of the concrete. 



2.2 — The selection of concrete proportions in- 

 volves a balance between reasonable economy 

 and requirements for placeability, strength, dura- 

 bility, density, and appearance. The required 

 characteristics are governed by the use to which 

 the concrete will be put and by conditions ex- 



•Adopted aa a standard of the Amenean Concret* Instltnte 

 May 1974. to ^ur>er5ede ACI 211.1-70. In accordance with th« 

 Institute standardization procedure. 



Copyright © 1009, 1873. Amerlcwi Coocrcto Instltuta 



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