by The calculation follows the IS 10262:2019 procedure for target strength, water content, admixture reduction, entrapped air and aggregate proportioning. The numerical values are an initial trial mix and must be verified using actual laboratory materials and trial batches.
Page Contents
Introduction
M10 concrete has a characteristic compressive strength of 10 N/mm² at 28 days.
This article presents an illustrative M10 design mix using:
- OPC 53 cement
- 20 mm and 12.5 mm coarse aggregate
- Zone II manufactured sand
- Auramix 400 superplasticizer
- Approximately 100 mm slump
- Water-cement ratio of 0.60
- Cement content of 250 kg/m³
This is a design-mix example and not a universal construction recipe. The final mix must be confirmed through laboratory trials, workability checks, cube testing and project approval.
1. Design stipulations
| Item | Adopted value |
|---|---|
| Grade of concrete | M10 |
| Characteristic compressive strength | 10 N/mm² at 28 days |
| Type of mix | Design mix |
| Cement | OPC 53 grade conforming to IS 269 |
| Maximum nominal size of aggregate | 20 mm |
| Coarse aggregate combination | 20 mm and 12.5 mm |
| Fine aggregate | Manufactured sand, Zone II |
| Exposure condition | Mild exposure for the illustrative plain-concrete example |
| Target slump | 100 ± 25 mm |
| Method of placing | Pumping trial |
| Degree of supervision | Good |
| Chemical admixture | Auramix 400 superplasticizer |
| Adopted water-cement ratio | 0.60 |
| Adopted cement content | 250 kg/m³ |
| Entrapped air | 1% |
| Basis of calculation | Saturated surface-dry aggregate condition |
Important limitation
M10 should not be used automatically for structural RCC. The required minimum grade must be checked according to the exposure condition, structural drawings and project specification.
2. Suitable applications
M10 concrete may be used for approved applications such as:
- Plain concrete
- Lean concrete
- Blinding concrete
- Levelling courses
- Foundation bedding
- Non-structural base layers
- Simple or temporary works
M10 should not be used automatically for:
- Structural slabs
- Structural beams
- Structural columns
- Load-bearing RCC members
- Water-retaining structures
- Aggressive or coastal exposure conditions
3. Material properties
| Material | Adopted value |
|---|---|
| OPC 53 cement specific gravity | 3.15 |
| Fine aggregate specific gravity | 2.60 |
| 20 mm aggregate specific gravity | 2.63 |
| 12.5 mm aggregate specific gravity | 2.62 |
| Water specific gravity | 1.00 |
| Auramix 400 specific gravity | 1.09 |
| Fine aggregate grading | Zone II |
| Coarse aggregate combination | 50% 20 mm and 50% 12.5 mm by mass |
| Aggregate moisture | To be tested before batching |
| Aggregate absorption | To be tested before batching |
No GGBS or fly ash is included in this example. If a mineral admixture is added, the complete mix must be recalculated using the water-to-cementitious-materials ratio.
4. Target mean strength
For M10 concrete:
Characteristic strength, fck = 10 N/mm²
Since sufficient site test data is not assumed:
Standard deviation, S = 3.5 N/mm²
For M10 concrete:
Grade factor, X = 5.0 N/mm²
Target strength using standard deviation
Target mean strength:
f′ck = fck + 1.65S
f′ck = 10 + 1.65 × 3.5
f′ck = 15.78 N/mm²
Target strength using grade factor
f′ck = fck + X
f′ck = 10 + 5
f′ck = 15.00 N/mm²
The higher value is adopted:
Target mean strength = 15.78 N/mm²
The actual standard deviation should be recalculated when sufficient production test results are available.
5. Selection of water-cement ratio
For this illustrative plain-concrete example, adopt:
Water-cement ratio = 0.60
Since no mineral admixture is used:
Water-cementitious-materials ratio = 0.60
This value must be checked against the applicable exposure condition and project requirements.
6. Water content calculation
For 20 mm angular aggregate and 50 mm slump, the basic water content is:
Water content = 186 litres/m³
Target slump:
100 mm
Increase in slump:
100 − 50 = 50 mm
Number of 25 mm increments:
50 ÷ 25 = 2
Increase in water content:
2 × 3% = 6%
Water content before superplasticizer:
186 × 1.06 = 197.16 litres/m³
Assume a preliminary 24% water reduction through Auramix 400 based on trial performance:
197.16 × 0.76 = 149.84 litres/m³
Adopt:
Total design mixing water = 150 litres/m³
The actual water reduction must be confirmed through laboratory trials.
7. Cement content calculation
Cement content:
Cement = Water ÷ Water-cement ratio
Cement = 150 ÷ 0.60
Cement = 250 kg/m³
Adopt:
Cement content = 250 kg/m³
This value is greater than the illustrative minimum cement content of 220 kg/m³ for mild-exposure plain concrete.
8. Superplasticizer calculation
Adopt an initial Auramix 400 dosage of:
1.0% by mass of cement
Admixture quantity:
250 × 1.0 ÷ 100 = 2.50 kg/m³
Approximate admixture volume:
2.50 ÷ (1.09 × 1000) = 0.00229 m³
Therefore:
Auramix 400 = 2.50 kg/m³
The final dosage must be adjusted according to slump, slump retention, setting time, bleeding and segregation.
9. Entrapped air
For normal non-air-entrained concrete with 20 mm aggregate:
Entrapped air = 1%
Entrapped air volume = 0.01 m³
10. Aggregate volume calculation
Volume of cement
Vc = 250 ÷ (3.15 × 1000)
Vc = 0.07937 m³
Volume of water
Vw = 150 ÷ (1.00 × 1000)
Vw = 0.15000 m³
Volume of admixture
Vadmixture = 0.00229 m³
Volume of entrapped air
Vair = 0.01000 m³
Volume of total aggregate
Vaggregate = 1 − (Vc + Vw + Vadmixture + Vair)
Vaggregate = 1 − (0.07937 + 0.15000 + 0.00229 + 0.01000)
Vaggregate = 0.75834 m³
Therefore:
Total aggregate volume = 0.75834 m³
11. Coarse and fine aggregate proportion
For 20 mm aggregate and Zone II fine aggregate:
- Coarse aggregate volume at w/c 0.50 = 0.62
- Adopted w/c = 0.60
- Reduction for w/c adjustment = 0.02
Corrected coarse aggregate fraction:
0.62 − 0.02 = 0.60
For the preliminary pumping trial, reduce the coarse aggregate fraction by 10%:
0.60 × 0.90 = 0.54
Adopted coarse aggregate fraction:
0.54
Fine aggregate fraction:
1 − 0.54 = 0.46
Therefore:
- Coarse aggregate fraction = 0.54
- Fine aggregate fraction = 0.46
The pumping adjustment is a trial assumption and must be verified using actual concrete flow and pump performance.
12. Coarse aggregate calculation
Volume of coarse aggregate
VCA = 0.75834 × 0.54
VCA = 0.40950 m³
Assume the coarse aggregate is divided equally by mass:
- 20 mm aggregate = 50%
- 12.5 mm aggregate = 50%
Using the specific gravities of both fractions:
M20/(2.63 × 1000) + M12.5/(2.62 × 1000) = 0.40950
Calculated quantities:
- 20 mm aggregate = 537.5 kg/m³
- 12.5 mm aggregate = 537.5 kg/m³
Adopt:
- 20 mm aggregate = 538 kg/m³
- 12.5 mm aggregate = 538 kg/m³
The 50:50 combination must be confirmed through combined grading and trial batching.
13. Fine aggregate calculation
Volume of fine aggregate
VFA = 0.75834 × 0.46
VFA = 0.34884 m³
Mass of fine aggregate
Fine aggregate = 0.34884 × 2.60 × 1000
Fine aggregate = 906.98 kg/m³
Adopt:
Fine aggregate = 907 kg/m³
14. Absolute-volume check
| Material | Quantity | Specific gravity | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cement | 250 kg | 3.15 | 0.07937 m³ |
| Water | 150 kg | 1.00 | 0.15000 m³ |
| Auramix 400 | 2.50 kg | 1.09 | 0.00229 m³ |
| Fine aggregate | 907 kg | 2.60 | 0.34884 m³ |
| 20 mm aggregate | 537.5 kg | 2.63 | 0.20436 m³ |
| 12.5 mm aggregate | 537.5 kg | 2.62 | 0.20514 m³ |
| Entrapped air | — | — | 0.01000 m³ |
| Total | — | — | Approximately 1.000 m³ |
15. Final M10 trial mix
Quantities per cubic metre
| Material | Quantity |
|---|---|
| OPC 53 cement | 250 kg |
| Total design mixing water | 150 litres |
| Auramix 400 | 2.50 kg |
| Manufactured sand, Zone II | 907 kg |
| 20 mm coarse aggregate | 538 kg |
| 12.5 mm coarse aggregate | 538 kg |
| Entrapped air | 1% |
| Water-cement ratio | 0.60 |
| Target slump | 100 ± 25 mm |
| Approximate fresh concrete mass | 2,385 kg/m³ |
Approximate mass ratio
Cement:Fine aggregate:20 mm aggregate:12.5 mm aggregate
1 : 3.63 : 2.15 : 2.15
Combined aggregate ratio:
Cement:Fine aggregate:Coarse aggregate
1 : 3.63 : 4.30
This is a calculated design-mix ratio and must not be confused with the nominal 1:3:6 ratio.
16. Moisture correction
The above quantities are based on saturated surface-dry aggregates.
Free water from wet aggregate
Free water = (Moisture − Absorption) ÷ 100 × Dry aggregate mass
When moisture is greater than absorption, deduct the free water from the mixing water.
Water absorbed by dry aggregate
Water deficit = (Absorption − Moisture) ÷ 100 × Dry aggregate mass
When absorption is greater than moisture, provide additional water or pre-wet the aggregate.
Corrected water to be added
Water to add = Design water − Free surface water + Absorption deficit
The water present in the liquid admixture must also be considered if required by the product data sheet.
17. Trial-batch procedure
- Use the same cement, aggregates and admixture intended for the project.
- Confirm aggregate grading, moisture and absorption.
- Weigh all ingredients accurately.
- Add part of the mixing water to the mixer.
- Add coarse aggregate, fine aggregate and cement.
- Add the remaining corrected water.
- Add Auramix 400 according to the approved trial procedure.
- Mix until a uniform concrete is obtained.
- Measure the slump immediately after mixing.
- Check bleeding, segregation and cohesiveness.
- Check slump retention after the required transport time.
- Cast concrete cubes as required by the project quality plan.
- Cure the specimens properly.
- Test compressive strength at the specified ages.
- Check fresh concrete density and actual yield.
- Finalize the mix only after reviewing all test results.
Do not add uncontrolled water at the site.
18. Quality-control requirements
The trial mix should satisfy:
- Target slump at the required time
- No unacceptable bleeding
- No segregation
- Required 28-day compressive strength
- Required density and yield
- Required durability
- Pumpability, where applicable
- Cement-admixture compatibility
- Project-specific temperature and placing requirements
19. Important technical notes
- M10 is not a normal structural RCC grade.
- The mix is an initial design-mix trial and not a guaranteed universal recipe.
- The 24% water reduction is a preliminary assumption.
- Auramix 400 dosage must be confirmed by trial.
- GGBS or fly ash is not included in this calculation.
- If mineral admixture is added, recalculate the water-to-cementitious-materials ratio.
- Aggregate moisture correction is compulsory before batching.
- If bucket placement is used instead of pumping, conduct a separate trial.
- The final mix must be approved by the responsible engineer.
Frequently asked questions
What is the M10 concrete mix ratio?
A design mix does not have one universal fixed ratio. In this example, the approximate mass ratio is:
1 : 3.63 : 4.30
for cement:fine aggregate:combined coarse aggregate.
The nominal 1:3:6 ratio is a separate volume-batching approach.
What is the cement content of this M10 mix?
The adopted cement content is:
250 kg/m³
This is calculated from 150 litres of water and a water-cement ratio of 0.60.
Why is superplasticizer used?
Superplasticizer helps obtain the required slump with lower water demand. It does not automatically guarantee strength or permit uncontrolled cement reduction.
Can the water be reduced further?
Yes, but only after laboratory trials confirm the required slump, strength, setting behaviour and durability.
Can GGBS be added?
Yes, if approved. However, the cementitious content, w/cm ratio, curing period and aggregate calculations must be revised.
Can this mix be pumped?
It includes a preliminary pumpability adjustment, but actual pumpability must be confirmed by a pump trial.
Related resources
- Concrete Mix Design Procedure as per IS 10262 and IS 456
- Concrete Mix Design Calculator as per IS 10262:2019
- Moisture Correction in Concrete Mix Design
- Concrete Trial Mix Procedure
- Superplasticizer in Concrete Mix Design
- Durability Requirements in Concrete Mix Design as per IS 456
- M15 Concrete Mix Design
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Disclaimer
The information on this website is provided for educational purposes only.
It does not replace project-specific engineering design, professional advice, approved drawings or construction specifications. Examples, calculations and suggested procedures should not be adopted directly for construction without appropriate verification. Always check the latest applicable standards and amendments, local requirements, project specifications, material-test results and site conditions. Final design, testing, acceptance and construction decisions should be made by qualified professionals and the responsible project authorities.
Standards referenced
- IS 10262:2019 — Concrete Mix Proportioning — Guidelines
- IS 456:2000 — Plain and Reinforced Concrete — Code of Practice
- IS 383 — Coarse and Fine Aggregate for Concrete
- IS 269 — Ordinary Portland Cement
- IS 9103 — Concrete Admixtures
- IS 1199 — Methods of Sampling and Analysis of Concrete
- IS 516 — Compressive Strength Testing of Concrete
