The optimum mix proportioning of concrete is to produce a concrete which satisfies the strength, workability and durability required. In general, workability decreases as strength increases consequently a uniform quality of concrete is not produced. T...
The optimum mix proportioning of concrete is to produce a concrete which satisfies the strength, workability and durability required. In general, workability decreases as strength increases consequently a uniform quality of concrete is not produced. Therefore, it is quite difficult to make a durable concrete. In domestic construction fields, strength only is generally considered as the index of concrete quality. If strength of concrete is less than the specified, it will be a serious problem by supervisor. Therefore, field workers tend to use higher than the required cement content.In this study, the existing mix proportionings currently used in Korea Highway Corporation have been reviewed by reducing 10kg of cement content by 3?S steps in strength and workability during the 1st half of this project. The optimum proportioning is established based on the review above and the results of durability and drying shrinkage are examined during the 2nd half. Also, substitutions such as fly ash and ground granulated iron blast furnace slag for cement are studied. The experimental results over 2 years show that not only the concrete of specified strength has been produced by 15? 20% of reduction to cement content but also higher durability concrete. The cost-effectiveness such as the reduction of cement content and long term durability will be considerable. Therefore, all the procedures should be taken to reduce the contents of cement and admixture into concrete without the loss of properties such as strength and durability.