A mix proportioning methodology for high-performance concrete

From the view-point of economy and durability, a methodology of mix proportioning for high-performance concrete (HPC) based on the concept of using the ''minimum volume of cement paste binder'' is presented in this paper. Since the cement is the most expensive ingredient of concrete, and excessive cement in concrete usually results in a higher heat of hydration and increases creep and shrinkage that, in turn, adversely influences the durability of concrete, an essential mix-design rule is to make HPC with a minimum amount of cement. Accordingly, the minimum void content for the mixture of dry coarse aggregate, sand and mineral admixture in HPC is a major controlling factor in the proposed methodology. Two approaches for properly estimating individual amount of concrete ingredients are presented and discussed. Finally, experimental results of high-performance concrete manufacture according to the proposed proportioning methodology are shown and addressed for its validity.