Recommended Concrete Mixes for Various Types of Construction Works:
In construction, different types of concrete require varying mixes for their creation. To achieve optimal results, recommended values for these mixes are outlined in a table, categorized by the specific type of construction.
Table: Recommended mixes for Different Concrete Construction
| Type of work | Concrete Mix Ratio | Max. size of aggregates (mm) | Water for dry aggregates (liter)* | Water for aggregates condition from dry to moist batch (liter)* | Water for best consistency (liter)* |
| Small precast work, fence posts, poles, garden furniture and other work of very thin sections | 1:2:2 | 16 | 20 | 15 to 16 | Soft |
| Storage tanks, cisterns, sewers, well knerbs, watertight work, and columns or other structural parts subjected to high stresses | 1:2:3 | 20 | 25 | 19 to 22 | Medium |
| Reinforced concrete work, floor slab, beams, columns, arches, stairs etc | 1:2.5:3.5 | 20 | 32 | 23 to 27 | Medium or soft |
| Ordinary floors, footpaths, drive ways, steps, roads, pavements | 1:2.5:3.5 | 20 | 23 | 20 to 23 | Stiff |
| Building and basement walls, silos, sills, lintels, machine foundations subject to vibration, bridges, dams, piers, etc exposed to action of water and frost foundation concrete for masonry walls | 1:2:4 | 40 | 30 | 23 to 26 | Stiff or Medium |
| Culverts, retaining walls, compound walls, ordinary machine bases, etc. | 1:3:5 | 40 | 34 | 26 to 30 | Stiff or Medium |
| Mass concrete for heavy walls, lean concrete for levelling course of RCC foundations | 1:3:6 | 63 | 36 | 30 to 32 | Medium |
*for one cement bag batch
NOTES:
When the grading of both fine and coarse aggregates is inadequate, certain guidelines can assist in determining appropriate proportions. These guidelines vary based on the maximum size of the coarse aggregates. For instance, if the maximum size of the coarse aggregates is 40mm or greater, the sand quantity should be half that of the coarse aggregates. On the other hand, if the maximum size of the coarse aggregates is 20mm or greater, the sand quantity should be two-thirds that of the coarse aggregates. If the maximum size of the coarse aggregates is 16mm, then the sand and coarse aggregates should be in equal amounts. These rules can be useful for ensuring the appropriate proportioning of aggregates.